Panko/Parmesan Encrusted Tilapia

A couple of years ago we had our living room, kitchen, and dining room painted.  I was pregnant with our daughter at the time so I decided to stay at my mom's until the paint fumes had gone.  While I was there, my mom made this dish for us.  She served it with roasted asparagus- yum!  I probably don't make it exactly like she does but fairly close.  This is such a tasty way to have tilapia and extremely easy!



 You will need some Panko crumbs, Parmesan cheese and some olive oil spray.  Mix about 1 cup Panko to about 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese.  Add salt and pepper to taste.  I  made two filets tonight so you will need to adjust the breading mixture if you're making a larger quantity.  You could certainly add more cheese if you like. 

 I lined my pan with parchment.  Because I didn't dip my fish in egg or milk, I sprinkled a little of the breading where my fish will go.  If you prefer, you can dip your fish in egg or milk.  I just figure I'm saving a few calories and it's really not needed.

 Dip the fish in crumbs.  It will not stick well and that's okay.  Place fish on crumbs. 

 Sprinkle more crumbs on the top of fish to coat.  Spray with olive oil spray.  This will help it brown in the oven.  Bake at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes.  Fish should flake with a fork when done.

 You can find an olive oil mister at most kitchen stores.  I use this when I roast veggies as well. 

Dinner is served!!

Meatloaf with Panko Bread Crumbs

As a kid, meatloaf was probably my least favorite meal!  I remember watching an episode of Wheel of Fortune years ago where one of the contestants, as he was being introduced, announced that his favorite meal was meatloaf.  This seemed so strange to me at the time.  How could someone's favorite meal be meatloaf???  Well, it will never be my favorite meal but I have learned to appreciate it over the years.  After I got married, I started to search for a great meatloaf recipe.  I have tried many in the seven years I have been married to my hubby, but always went on the search for another recipe to try.  It wasn't until last year that I finally found THE recipe!!  I was 8 1/2 months pregnant at the time.  I had just been introduced to using Panko (Japanese style) bread crumbs and began to wonder if I could use them to make a great meatloaf.  One late afternoon, I began scouring the internet and finally found a recipe that incorporated the Panko bread crumbs and adjusted the seasonings to my taste.  We had it for dinner that evening and it was delicious!  . . . and to top it all off, nine hours later I went into labor.  (No joke- true story folks!)  I will ALWAYS wonder if it was the meatloaf. . .

 Gather your ingredients. . . 

 Here are the Panko (Japanese Style) bread crumbs.  These are also great as a breading for tilapia!  Someday, I will share that recipe!

 Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl!

 Mix well!  Be sure that all the Panko crumbs are distributed evenly throughout the mixture or you will have clumps of Panko in your meatloaf.  Trust me- I speak from experience!

 Form the mixture into a loaf and place into prepared pan.  Drizzle with remaining ketchup.

 Bake @ 350 degrees for one hour.

Enjoy!!

Meatloaf with Panko Bread Crumbs
1 pound lean ground beef
2 eggs
1 cup Panko (Japanese style) bread crumbs
3/4 cup ketchup, (DIVIDED)
1 T. salt-free seasoning blend ( I used Mrs. Dash- Original Flavor)
1 t. garlic powder
1 t. onion powder
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Lightly grease a baking pan.  Place the ground beef, eggs, panko crumbs, 1/2 c. ketchup, (reserve 1/4 for topping the meatloaf), seasoning blend, garlic, onion, salt and pepper in bowl and mix well.  Be sure all crumbs are incorporated evenly into the mixture.  Form into a loaf shape, and place in prepared pan.  Drizzle with remaining 1/4 c. ketchup.  Bake 1 hour to an internal temperature of 160 degrees.