Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

I'm very fortunate in that my boys eat pretty much whatever I make for dinner. Sure, sometimes we've gotta twist Bryce's arm and tell him, "You can't have any cookie pie until your plate is clean!" But for the most part, they're really good when it comes to chow time. Everyone except Finn (thus far, anyway). I'm hoping he soon outgrows this I'm-gonna-throw-everything-on-the-floor stage. Ain't nobody got time for that mess.

One of the meals that my boys just gobble up is this here recipe that I'm sharing with you today: Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia. They seriously love it.

Delicious fresh ingredients and a super quick cook time make this meal a keeper. Literally this fish is done in only a few minutes. Ya can't beat that for quick and convenient! 

Plus it's an easy meal to get the boys involved in. What kid doesn't love to measure, scoop, pour and stir? (well, at least Bryce anyway...apparently Finn likes to just walk on by).

Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia

adapted from here

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup panko or regular bread crumbs (I used what I had on hand--Italian-style panko, but you can use whatever)
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon onion powder
• pinch or two of salt (I use course Celtic Sea salt)
• 2 pounds tilapia fillets

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven's broiler. Add olive oil to bottom of broiling pan or line pan with aluminum foil.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayo, and lemon juice. Add breadcrumbs, dried basil, pepper, onion powder and salt. Mix well and set aside.
3. Arrange fillets in a single layer on the prepared pan. Broil a few inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes. Flip the fillets over and broil for a couple more minutes. Remove the fillets from the oven, flip over and cover them with the Parmesan cheese mixture on the top side. Broil for 2-3 more minutes or until the topping is browned and the fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to overcook the fish.