Baked Lemon Tilapia with Herb Butter

Although Chris' birthday is actually tomorrow (shhhhhhh, he's turning the big 40!!!!), over the weekend we celebrated by going out to dinner at this amazing restaurant called Roy's.  Roy's is an Hawaiian fusion restaurant that has been on my list of "I soooo want to try" places for a while now.  I have heard nothing but good things about it....And now I know why.  We had one of the best meals we'd had in a very long time.  I wish I had pictures, but our table was really dark and well... sometimes I like to go out without having to document everything I eat :)  If you ever get a chance to go there, I highly recommend the Misoyaki Butterfish.  I have never had butterfish before and now... now I would gladly eat it daily.  The fish literately tasted as if it had been poached in butter... but it wasn't.. it is just the natural flavors of the fish coming out.  I don't even know how to describe it other than it was the best fish I had ever had.  EVER!  Everything about the experience was wonderful.  From the wine that was sent to our table (secretly ordered by a friend from across the country as his way of wishing Chris a happy birthday) to the attentiveness of our waiter (and the rest of the staff at that) to the amazing food...... it was quite the perfect evening!

Although this tilapia recipe has nothing to do with our dinner from Saturday, I thought it was still a good recipe to follow a story about fish :)  Simple... light... and delicious.  Might not be Roy's but it will do in a pinch!!!

Baked Lemon Tilapia with Herb Butter
Created by Jenn's Food Journey
- Serves 2 -
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
1 Lemon, sliced in half
2 Tilapia fillets
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon paprika
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh chives

Directions:
Thinly slice one half of the lemon into 4 slices.  Zest and juice the remaining half of lemon.  In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper and paprika; set aside. 

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the butter and remaining lemon juice.  Stir in the chopped herbs and lemon zest.  Season with a pinch of salt.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Spray a baking dish with non-stick spray and place the lemon slices on the bottom.  Rinse fillets and pat dry with a paper towel.  Place on top of the lemon slices.  Drizzle half of the lemon juice and sprinkle the seasoning mix evenly over each piece of fish.  Place in oven and bake for 15-18 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.  Top with a dollop of butter and serve immediately.  Enjoy!

One Year Ago:  Shrimp and Red Pepper Pesto Pizza
Two Years Ago:  Spicy Potato Soup
Three Years Ago:  Leek Potato Soup