Chipotle Fish Packets

I love love love chipotle.  I love the smokey flavor it adds.  I love the spiciness it brings to a dish.  I love it!!  But, I will confess, I have never actually cooked with it. GASP!  I know, right?  Once again, the only thing that ever stopped me from using it, was fear.  Fear because I wasn't sure what I was getting and what to do with it and what if I didn't use it all then what will I do with any leftovers.... and so on and so on!  So the other day I finally said enough.  I'm gonna get a can and I'm gonna make a recipe that calls for it!  And what better recipe then a recipe for TILAPIA :)  (my pal Stephen thinks I should start a blog just with tilapia recipes... he suggested calling it Tilapia Tootsie - among other witty names -...maybe it's not a bad idea!!)  Those of you who have visited my blog often, may be getting tired of tilapia recipes.  Why the heck doesn't she use something else..right?  My friends, I might not try another fish, but you may.  You can switch out cod or sole or catfish or even halibut with all the fish recipes I have posted here.  There are even quite a few that would work well on salmon.  So don't limit yourself just because of me.  Experiment...take a few chances..what's the worse thing that could happen?  You ruin dinner and you gotta order in Chinese or pizza?  In my book, that's not a bad thing at all.. the point is you tried :)

Anyway, this fish was simple and spicy!  Chipotle is a smoked-dried jalapeno.  That should explain one thing...heat!  If you haven't had chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, you might be a bit surprised at the bite it has...so be careful and use caution!  Don't say I didn't warn you.........

Chipotle Fish Packets
Adapted from Rick Bayless
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients: 
4 (6oz) portions of mild white fish such as tilapia, halibut, or red snapper (I know it says red, but it's considered a white fish, I swear!)
3-4 key limes
salt and pepper
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2-3 chipotle chili from a 7oz can of chipotle chili in adobo sauce, PLUS 1 Tbls of the adobo sauce (***Don't worry, I'll share a recipe with you tomorrow that will show you what you can create with the rest of the can!**)
Aluminum foil
Non-stick cooking spray

Directions:

Preheat grill to medium heat or an oven to 400 degrees.

Divide up the fish between the 4 pieces of aluminum foil sprayed with non-stick spray.  Sprinkle each packet with about 3/4 teaspoon lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper.

Blend mayonnaise and chipotle along with the adobo sauce in a blender or small food processor until smooth.  Divide the flavored mayonnaise between the 4 packets and spread to cover.  Close foil around fish to create a packet.  

If grilling, place direction on the grill grates and cook for 12-14 minutes.  If baking, place packets on a cookie sheet and bake for the same amount of time.  Carefully remove the packets from the grill (or oven) and the fish from the packets!  Enjoy!