Tilapia with Charred Cherry Tomatoes and Balsamic Reduction

A delicious fish dinner to impress your guests or for Valentine's Day. You can use any type of white fish - tilapia, sole, or halibut are great options.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 292 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• sea salt to taste
• 1 shallot, finely chopped
• 4 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets
• olive oil, divided
• 1 bunch fresh basil, divided
• 1 bunch chopped fresh thyme
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced, divided
• 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Chop 1/4 of the basil leaves. Mix chopped basil, thyme, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Rub spice mixture on tilapia fillets and place in an airtight container. Marinate for 2 hours at room temperature.

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking dish with aluminum foil and grease with 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Step 3

Place tilapia fillets into prepared baking dish, shaking off excess seasoning. Sprinkle cherry tomatoes, shallot, and remaining unchopped basil leaves on top. Drizzle 1/2 the lemon juice and 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar over the fish.

Step 4

Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, until fish is starting to flake.

Step 5

Meanwhile, combine remaining lemon juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, and 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar in a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil mixture until it has the thick consistency of molasses, 5 to 10 minutes.

Step 6

Broil fish until tomatoes are charred, about 5 minutes. Remove from oven and discard liquid. Pour balsamic reduction on top of fish.

Step 7

Set an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler.