Sunday Supper - Pan Seared Tilapia with Tomatillo Gratin

Ok, so the picture is not the best. But what is that saying, "don't judge a book by its cover". This was another big hit with the family. It was awesome. If you make nothing else on this blog, try the tomatillo gratin. Nice twist and was so good.

Gratin:
olive oil
unsalted butter for coating baking dish
1 red onion, sliced thinly
3 garlic cloves, minced
3 tomatillos, husked, rinsed and quartered
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
2 tsp dried Italian seasoning
1/2 cup white wine
2 parsnips, peeled and sliced thinly
4 yukon gold potatoes, sliced thinly
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chicken stock/broth (substitute with vegetable stock/broth if you prefer)
salt and pepper for seasoning

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter baking dish.

Drizzle olive oil in a large non-stick sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add onions, garlic, tomatillos, jalapenos, Italian seasoning and season with salt and pepper. Sauté for about 10 minutes. Add wine, reduce heat to a simmer and cover. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes.

Place a thin layer of tomatillo mixture at the bottom of the baking dish. Then place a layer of parsnips, then a layer of cheese, then a layer of potatoes and then repeat, ending with cheese. Drizzle cream and chicken stock/broth. Bake for 45 minutes. Cover with foil and continue baking for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook for 15 minutes. Watch carefully, because you do not want the cheese topping to burn. Take out of the oven and allow to rest while you cook the tilapia.

Tilapia (or substitute out with a white fish of your choice):
paprika
Italian seasoning
cayenne pepper
salt and pepper
1 slice of bacon, chopped
tilapia filets
2 tbsp unsalted butter
olive oil
chopped roasted red pepper and tomatillo salsa for garnish

Season fish with spices and drizzle with olive oil. Flip fish to coat both sides.

In the same sauté pan you used for the gratin, cook bacon until crisp. Add butter and melt. Place fish filets in hot sauté pan. Sear both sides for about 5 minutes on both sides.

Place gratin and fish filet on a plate. Garnish with roasted red peppers and tomatillo salsa. Serve and ENJOY!!!

Wine pairing.....Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.