Food Friday! Parmesan Crusted Tilapia

Chris and I have been trying to eat healthier since we've been married because we ate so much bad-for-us food while in college. The cafeterias had Taco Tuesdays and Wing Wednesdays, in addition to an abundance of horribly delicious Oreo pies, cheeseburgers, pizza, etc. It was all very good, but VERY unhealthy. There was healthy food available on campus too, but that was only if you felt like eating fruit that was bruised beyond recognition, meat that tasted the same regardless of whether it was chicken or beef, or vegetables that were so slathered in butter that you couldn't really even count them as being a healthy option. 

So, for the last several months, in an effort to be healthier, we've been eating a lot of chicken and fish for dinner. Since we've been eating a lot of the same foods, I've been trying to find different recipes so we have some variety in our dinners, and it's not a chore to eat good foods. I don't want to be thinking Ugghh, not this again! when it gets to be dinner-time. This recipe for tilapia is a favorite in our house, and is a great way to spice up fish! Full credit for this one goes to my mom, who finds (or invents) the best recipes ever. Watching her cook every night as I was growing up is the reason I cook every night, and I feel lucky if my food comes out half as well as hers!

Ingredients:

• Several fillets of tilapia (I use 5 or 6)
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons creole seasoning

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, beat eggs.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, cheese, and creole seasoning. Salt and pepper to taste.
3. Brush fish with egg wash, then toss in flour mixture.
4. Coat bottom of pan with oil, wait for it to heat, then fry fish, about 3 minutes on each side.

When she makes this, my mom adds coconut, which offsets the spiciness nicely, and makes a great sweet/spicy combination. The only reason I don't include it is because Chris doesn't like the texture of coconut. However, if you do, just mix in 1/4 cup shredded coconut to the flour mixture!