Grilled tilapia with cherry salsa is like a symphony of flavors playing on your taste buds—sweet, tangy, and savory all at once. Cooking outdoors, with the sizzle of fish on the grill and a cool breeze, is a blissful escape from the daily grind. I remember last summer, when I first tried this recipe, and it instantly became a family favorite, transforming an ordinary evening into a culinary celebration.
Steps
- In a medium bowl, mix together chopped cherries, finely chopped red onion, chopped cilantro, minced jalapeno, and lime juice. Season the mixture with salt and pepper, then toss everything together and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine ground cumin with salt and pepper. Rub the tilapia fillets with olive oil and sprinkle them with the spice mixture.
- To grill the tilapia, preheat the grill to high and lightly oil the grates. Cook the fish until the edges become opaque and it releases easily from the grill, about 2-3 minutes per side.
- To cook on the stove, heat olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the tilapia for about 3 minutes on each side, or until it flakes easily with a fork.
- For oven cooking, place the tilapia in a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes. Check that the fish flakes easily with a fork before serving.
- Serve the cooked tilapia with the prepared cherry salsa on top.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 pound (approximately 2 cups) Bing cherries, pitted and coarsely chopped
- 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
- 1/3 cup fresh cilantro (or parsley), chopped
- 1 large jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed, minced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 4 tilapia fillets (about 6 ounces each)
FAQ
- What are the main ingredients for the cherry salsa?
- The cherry salsa includes Bing cherries, red onion, fresh cilantro or parsley, jalapeno, fresh lime juice, salt, and pepper.
- How can I cook the tilapia if I don’t have a grill?
- You can cook the tilapia on the stove using a nonstick skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat, or bake it in the oven at 350°F for 12 to 15 minutes.
- Can I substitute cherries with other fruits in the salsa?
- Yes, the salsa can also be made with other fruits like peaches, plums, or blueberries.
- What should I season the tilapia with before cooking?
- The tilapia should be rubbed with olive oil and a spice mixture of ground cumin, salt, and pepper before cooking.
- How long does it take to cook the tilapia on the grill?
- On the grill, the tilapia takes about 2-3 minutes per side until it is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Tips
- When preparing the cherry salsa, consider experimenting with different fruits like peaches, plums, or blueberries to add variety and flavor to the dish.
- If you’re cooking indoors, use a grill pan on the stove to achieve a similar grilled texture for the tilapia without having to use an outdoor grill.
- To ensure the tilapia is perfectly cooked, test for doneness by using a fork; the fish should easily flake apart.
- Seasoning the fish with a mix of cumin, salt, and pepper before cooking can enhance its flavor, so don’t skip this step.
Equipment
- Grill Pan (if cooking on the stove and you don’t have a grill pan already)
- Metal Spatula with Thin Blade (if grilling the fish and you don’t have a suitable spatula)
- Nonstick Skillet (if cooking on the stove and you don’t have a nonstick skillet)
- Pitting Tool (if you don’t already have a way to pit the cherries efficiently)
