Tilapia Poached in a Chipotle Mushroom Broth

Listen, I like gourmet foods. I really do. I love eating at fancy restaurants, I love truffles, I love anything foodie. But the thing is, that's about 8% of what I cook at home on a regular basis.

Money is tight for everyone these days. Everyone's talking about budgets and cutting back and doing without some of those luxuries we once indulged in. Even I am looking at ways on cutting back, especially moving from an apartment with a roommate, splitting expenses, to my own abode.

That's why I love this recipe. It's fancy enough to serve to guests, yet cheap enough that you can serve it without feeling guilty about blowing your food budget. This recipe serves 4 and cost less than $10!

And not only is it cost effective, but it's also dead-easy to make. I love poached fish recipes, because they really are almost foolproof! Since the fish is simmering in a flavorful broth, you'd really have to almost go completely out of your way to overcook it. The 2 chipotles give it a bit of a kick, so if you're sensitive to spicy foods, I'd use 1/2 to 1 pepper. Now go ahead and give this simple recipe a try - you'll have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes!



Tilapia Poached in a Chipotle Mushroom Broth
Serves 4

Broth
2 chipotle peppers (I used the canned ones in adobo sauce)
1/4 c heavy cream
2 cups vegetable stock
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp onion powder

4 tilapia fillets
A bit of flour, salt, and pepper
2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/4 c fresh cilantro, minced

In food processor, process chipotle peppers and heavy cream until well combined. Add stock, garlic, cumin, and onion powder, and pulse until mixed. Meanwhile, lightly coat tilapia fillets with flour, seasoned with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In large flat skillet, heat a few tbsp of oil over medium heat. Add mushrooms and saute for 2 minutes. Push mushrooms to the side of the pan and add fillets. Allow to
brown for a minute on each side. Then pour broth over mushrooms and fish and cover pan. Allow to simmer 8-10 minutes, until fish is tender and cooked. Sprinkle fresh cilantro over dish and serve immediately. This would be excellent over rice so not a drop of the broth is wasted.