Date Night!

Everytime my boyfriend and I go out to eat, we spend the whole time talking about how we could make it better! Lately, we've wised up and are doing just exactly that. Between the sales at grocery stores and the variety at our local farmer's market, we can come up with pretty much everything you'd find in a restaurant.

It's much more cost effective and as a bonus: cooking dinner together can be pretty romantic!

Tonight we had Parmesan Crusted Tilapia with Lemon-Butter Basil Sauce and Broccoli.

Parmesan Crusted Tilapia with Lemon-Butter Basil Sauce and Broccoli

Like any meat you plan to sear, oil and season the FISH, not the PAN! Use plain vegetable oil, about 2 tsp, garlic salt, blackened seasoning and a sprinkle of chili powder. Pat freshly grated parmesan into both sides and sear on medium high for about 3 minutes. Flip the fish and after about a minute cover with a lid and allow to steam finish for another minute or two. Remove from pan and allow to rest for a couple of minutes to keep it juicy! While the fish is resting, pour 1/4 cup of White Wine into the fish pan and keep the heat on medium high. The wine should sizzle when it hits the pan! Stir in a teaspoon of freshly chopped garlic, 1/2 teaspoon of lemon zest, half of a chopped roma tomato and 1/2 a teaspoon of fresh basil (or the kind in the squeeze tube!). When the wine is nearly gone, stir in a tablespoon of butter and remove from the heat. Spoon the sauce over the fish and voila! You now have a restaurant quality fish dish.

Broccoli, like any other hard vegetable, is best steamed or blanched before sauteing. It just takes too long to cook the broccoli evenly throughout otherwise. After you steam the broccoli (microwave works just fine!) toss it gently in a deep pan with oil, a teaspoon of freshly chopped garlic, a squeeze of lemon and a good dash of salt. When you no longer see oil in the bottom of the pan, the broccoli is ready!

What is your favorite "Date Night" dish? And how would you top your tilapia? Let us know!