Grilled Tilapia Sandwiches with Tropical Salad and Sautéed Honey Plantains

While I wouldn’t recommend making this dinner after spending the day outside in 95 degree temperatures running around a Cub Scout camp like I did, I would recommend you try this dinner when you are in a tropical mood.

Recipes adapted from Food Network

Ingredients:

Grilled Tilapia Sandwiches-

2 pounds tilapia filets

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 teaspoons paprika

2 tablespoons olive oil

Pickled Red Onions-

½ red onion thinly sliced

½ tablespoon pickling spice

½ cup white vinegar

½ tablespoon salt

½ tablespoon sugar

Garlic Aioli-

½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt

1 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon garlic powder

Serve on a bun or bibb lettuce wrap

Tropical Salad-

1 5 ounce bag watercress

1 chayote peeled, boiled, and cut into cubes

½ ripe papaya cut into chunks

1 avocado sliced

1/4 cup diced red onion

Tropical Dressing-

2 tablespoons shallots

3 tablespoons lime juice, zest of 1 lime

2 tablespoons orange juice

4 tablespoons sherry vinegar

¼ cup olive oil

1 teaspoon nutmeg

Honey Plantains-

1 ripe plantain sliced

1 tablespoon blood orange olive oil (or extra virgin olive oil)

1 tablespoon lime juice

1 tablespoon honey

Directions:

Grilled Tilapia-

1. Thaw fish 24 hours prior if using from frozen. 
2. Spread out fish in a 9×13 dish. 
3. Drizzle with olive oil.
4. Sprinkle garlic powder and paprika over fish.
5. Grill fish 2-3 minutes per side.

Pickled Red Onions-

1. Add sliced onions, vinegar, sugar, and pickling spice to a small dish. 
2. Cover and let sit until ready to serve.

Garlic Aioli-

1. Add yogurt, garlic powder, lemon juice to a medium bowl.
2. Mix to combine.
3. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tilapia Sandwiches-

1. Spread garlic aioli on bun or lettuce.
2. Add grilled fish.
3. Top with pickled onions.
4. Serve with tropical salad and honey plantains.

Tropical Salad-

1. Peel and chop the chayote into cubes.  Boil for 5-10 minutes.
2. Add papaya, chayote, watercress, red onion, and avocado to a large bowl.  Mix gently to combine.
3. Add tropical dressing ingredients to a food processor.  Pulse to mix. 
4. Transfer dressing to a bowl until ready to serve. 
5. Add the dressing.  Mix to distribute dressing.

Honey Plantains-

1. Add sliced plantains, olive oil, lime juice, and honey to a nonstick skillet.
2. Sauté over medium heat tossing frequently until plantains are soft.