Tomato-Basil Baked Tilapia

Serves 4

4 (4-ounce) frozen tilapia fillets
1 whole lemon or lime
Vegetable cooking spray
2-3 tablespoons Italian Dressing (plain or zesty)
Ground black pepper
4 fresh basil leaves, chopped
4 thin fresh tomato slices
4 whole basil leaves

Thaw the fish fillets and pat dry with paper towel. Cut four thin slices from lemon and squeeze juice from the remaining part on both sides of the fillets. Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray or vegetable oil. Rub Italian dressing on both sides of the fillets and sprinkle with black pepper and chopped basil. Place in baking dish and top each fillet with a lemon ring, tomato slice and then a fresh basil leaf. Bake in hot 425 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Serve hot - on bed of steamed brown rice. . . flavors are terrific.    

I like to use both the chopped fresh basil and the whole leaf. The chopped basil bakes into the fish and gives more of a fresh and distinctive flavor and then the whole leaf just looks so inviting. If you don't have fresh basil, use about a teaspoon of dried basil leaves.....a different taste but still tasty.  

This recipe is shared July 11-15, 2011
on NewsTalk 94.3 FM, AM 570 WKYX, AM 1560 WPAD,
AM 1450 WDXR, and AM 1320 WNGO.
Ro's recipes are sponsored by SuperValu Foods
on Jackson Street and on Lone Oak Road in Paducah, KY.
Check out more recipes online at: www.supervalupaducah.com