Natalie's Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried Tilapia

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 6 minutes
Yield: Makes 4 servings

Ingredients
4 (4- to 6-oz.) tilapia fillets [112 g - 168 g]
1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning*
3 tablespoons self-rising flour
1/2 cup plain yellow cornmeal [75 g]
1 tablespoon butter
2 tablespoons olive oil
Lemon (optional)

Garnish: fresh parsley sprig

Preparation
1. Sprinkle fillets with 1 tsp. seasoning. Combine remaining seasoning, flour, and cornmeal. Dredge fillets in flour mixture, shaking off excess.

2. Melt butter with oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add fillets, and cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes with a fork. Squeeze juice from lemon over fillets, and garnish, if desired. Serve immediately.

*Creole seasoning may be substituted.

Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried Chicken Breasts: Substitute 4 (8-oz.) skinned and boned chicken breasts for tilapia. Proceed with recipe as directed, cooking 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until done. Prep: 10 min., Cook: 16 min.

Cajun-Seasoned Pan-Fried Pork Chops: Substitute 4 (8-oz.) bone-in center-cut pork chops for tilapia. Proceed with recipe as directed, cooking 8 to 10 minutes on each side or until done. Prep: 10 min., Cook: 16 min.

Natalie Kelly Brown, Southern Living, SEPTEMBER 2009