Skillet Tilapia Fillets with Cilantro Butter

Yesterday, my brother put in an odd request to have tilapia for dinner.  I was quite thrilled because, I for one, really love to eat fish.  My family typically favors chicken/beef/pork, but I'm a fish person.  (Although, I do love a good steak too.)  Anyways, I was excited that I had an opportunity to make tilapia and not get any complaints from the brother.  I found this recipe on Pinterest.  Surprise, huh?!  It's actually a thing on MyRecipies, "7 Ways to Cook Tilapia."  A great thing to have handy, since I'm prone to buying the jumbo bags of tilapia.  I made the Skillet Fillets with Cilantro Butter because I had all the ingredients, and really needed to use up the rest of the cilantro from the other night.  (I really need to start an herb garden, so I can just get what I want, when I want.)  This was a super quick, easy dinner with steam-in-the-bag veggies on the side!  (Also, it was very tasty.  Some people might consider it spicy, but I'm not one of them.)

Skillet Fillets with Cilantro Butter

(If you look at the original, you'll notice I've doubled the spices! You've been warned.) 

For the tilapia:

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp ground red pepper

6 (4-oz) tilapia filets 

Cooking spray

1 lemon (quartered) 

Combine the spices and sprinkle (or rub) over both sides of fish.  Heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.  Coat skillet with cooking spray.  Also spray both sides of the fish and place in skillet.  Cook for about 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily or reaches 145ish degrees.  Place on serving tray or plate and squeeze on some lemon juice! 

For the cilantro butter:

2 TBSP butter, softened

2 TBSP cilantro, finely chopped

Grated rind from 1 lemon (grate before you quarter & squeeze it!)

1/4-1/2 tsp paprika

1/8 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until well blended.  Serve with fish!