The subtle flavors of Dijon and basil on light tilapia, paired with a vibrant sweet but savory fresh peach zucchini salsa. A healthy, palate-pleasing gluten-free and paleo dinner entree.
Did you go fishing as a child? Or do you still go fishing? I guess it depends on where you live, but since I've always lived in a rural area, fishing was always an easy activity to do. Growing up, it was actually one of my favorite things to do with my brother and dad. Even though I was the "tiny dancer" of the family, I really enjoyed these "tomboy" activities. It wasn't even so much the act of fishing that I loved most, it was the preparation. My brother and I would beg my dad to take us on the weekend, and the times we did get him to agree, I was elated.
Getting my dad to take us was probably the hardest part, but from there, the fun began. By fun, I mean my favorite part, digging for worms in the backyard (I kid you not)! We have a huge backyard and most of it is pretty muddy, creating some prime spots for worms to dwell under pieces of wood or stones. My brother and I would go out, start lifting every movable wood panel or stone we could find and dig out the warms from the moist ground. I really enjoyed playing with the worms in my dirty, mud-caked hands. Once we had found enough, we would go to my dad, show him, and then head to the garage to get out our fishing poles and tackle boxes.
My dad's tackle box was the best! It was huge and had so many little gizmos and gadgets. My brothers was stocked as well, but for awhile there, I didn't have my own. Until one birthday (not sure how old I was), by grandfather got me my own tackle box and fishing accessories! I was elated! I felt so badass and "grown-up" with my own box now. I loved all the little accessories and rubber worms, tablets, etc. you could get in the store to fill that box. I loved keeping it all organized and clean, ready for a day out to the river.
Once we had all of our gear packed up, we would usually stop at the local Bagel shop and Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast and some snacks to take with us. At the DD, they also had this "live critters" dispenser (like a soda machine, but for fishers to get some bait), and my dad would buy a can of "quality" bait, just in case the worms my brother and I collected weren't enough. Then we'd start driving around on the back roads to a few different spots we had. Usually we'd stop at multiple locations, rivers, lakes, ponds, any place that looked good that day. Each time, we would haul out our gear, trek down to the water and set up our poles. Then we waited, usually a long time. I would get antsy and start digging and playing in the mud (for more worms, maybe!) and hope my dad would take over responsibility for my fishing pole if there was a tug. (I was a bad fisher, but I loved the preparation!).
We would sometimes get a fish or two. After multiple attempts on my part for reel it in, feeling like the pole would break (not to mention the many times my brother and I would get our fishing lines stuck in a bush!). If I did reel something in, I found the fish fascinating, but then hated having it flop around on the end of the line, with the hook stuck in its mouth, waiting for my dad to get the fish off so we could throw it back and start again. Yea, we threw the fish back and started ALL over again. Tiring "fun and games". Being a little girl, I would get tired quickly and want to go home after a hour or two, but those days out with my brother and dad were some of my favorites. We'd get back home, all dirty, smelling of nature, and would re-tell our adventures to my mom. I will always cherish those childhood memories.
Okay, are you ready for a fish recipe now? I'd say you are! I have a huge obsession with mustard and fish. I love coating fish with some type of mustard. Dijon or honey mustard are the usual suspects. My favorite combo is honey mustard with dried basil. That's it! But so good! The tilapia recipe I have today though, uses Dijon, parsley, and basil. I paired this lovely light fish with the perfect summer peach and zucchini salsa! The slight sweetness of the salsa compliments the savory Dijon perfectly and really brightened the dish. This is the perfect light summer entree to enjoy after a day out fishing (or just a day in need of some good food!)
Dijon Tilapia with Peach Zucchini Salsa
Dijon Tilapia With Peach Zucchini Salsa
The subtle flavors of Dijon and basil on light tilapia, paired with a vibrant sweet but savory fresh peach zucchini salsa. A healthy, palate-pleasing gluten-free and paleo dinner entree.
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Main, Condiment
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Peach Zucchini Salsa:
- 1 Large Ripe Peach
- 1 Large Red Tomato
- 1 Medium Zucchini
- 1 Scallion
- ½ Tsp Minced Garlic
- ¼ Tsp Black Pepper
- 1 Tsp Dried Basil (or 1 TB fresh)
- ½ Tsp Dried Mint
- Tilapia Fillets:
- 4 Tilapia Fillets
- 1 Tsp Dijon Mustered (per fillet)
- ¼ Tsp Dried Basil (per fillet)
- ¼ Tsp Dried Parsley (per fillet)
Instructions
- For the salsa: Roughly chop all the fruit and veggies and add to a food processor along with the spices and herbs. Pulse until you get a salsa texture and set aside.
- For the Tilapia: Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Line a baking sheet with a greased piece of foil and lay out each tilapia fillet.
- Coat and rub in 1 tsp of dijon and ¼ tsp of dried basil and parsley to each fillet.
- Bake the tilapia for 12-14 minutes, until done.
- Remove, and top with salsa as desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
A simple but vibrant and summery meal, easiest enough for any day of the week! If you have major skill and live near an awesome lake, maybe you could catch your own fish 😉 But I won't be doing that anytime soon, I'll stick to the grocery fish counter 😉 Haha!
So tell me:
+ Did you go fishing as a kid? Do you still go now? I've never been on a boat to fish (boats freak me out anyway), always just the old fashion way!
+ Were you a tomboy, girly-girl, or in-between growing up?
*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeOfTheWeek,#StrangeButGood, Gluten-Free Wednesdays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays,Tasty Tuesdays, Savoring Saturdays, Tasty Tuesdays, Meatless Mondays, Lena’s Tasty Tuesdays!*
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Honest mum
What a delicious flavour combination.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Sue at Book By Book
Mmm...this looks great! I am always looking for new ways to cook fish. We have LOTS of fresh local peaches, tomatoes, and zucchini right now, so this looks perfect! I;m going to try it this week. Thanks!
I found you through the Painted Teacup Link Party - I think we will get along well! I eat Paleo (which is inherently gluten free with no grains) for medical reasons and often post recipes on Sundays for the Weekend Cooking meme. Nice to "meet" you!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I hope you try it then! Thanks for stopping by Sue!
Stephanie
Perfect fresh Summer dinner!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
For sure!
Sandy Sandmeyer
What a lovely, fresh recipe.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks!
Jen
That salsa looks amazing! So much good summer produce in one dish!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Jen!
Raia
Yum! I love pretty much all those ingredients, but I never would have thought to put them together. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, thanks Raia!
Kennedy Cole|KCole's Creative Corner
This looks and sounds great! So creative and unique! I definitely want to try that zucchini salsa sometime! Thanks for sharing! 😀
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Creatively Homespun
This looks amazing!!! xo
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Kristy as Giftie Etcetera
I never do fish and want to add it to my menu. I do a great fresh salsa, but don't want too many salty chips. But you just made the idea pop into my brain - bake the fish and top with salsa! Yummy!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Anything topped with salsa is a winner!
Heather@hungryforbalance
We only went fishing a few times when I was a kid. I was pretty much a girly-girly who DID NOT want to touch the worm.
I love the fact that you used zucchini in your peach salsa! You know I am all about the zucchini! This looks so delicious!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, worms were my bffs 😉
Yay for zucchini love! I've never heard of someone hating zucchini 😛
K's Mum
Looks delicious! Tilapia is one of my favorite fish but I have never dressing it up like this. Must try! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Always have to dress up your tilapia!
Jennifer Stewart
I have never made salsa with zucchini before! I think the texture would be fabulous!! Thanks for the recipe! I don't make enough fish and I need to start!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Well this is the perfect recipe to start with then!
Kirsten Toyne
This sounds amazing. I am officially hungry now. I love this fish and I lose a salsa too but dont have a feel for making them yet, so I am excited to try this out. thanks for sharing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, perfect! Thank you!
swayam
Love it Rebecca. we love Tilapia too.. I love mine with a mango strawberry balsamic salsa..but now, i guess i must try yours!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
O wow! Haha I'll try yours, you try mine 😉
swayam
Deal 😛
Kathryn Doherty
I love mustard and fish, too! Such a good combo. And I love the idea of adding this sweet and savory salsa on top - sounds so summery and divine! We did not go fishing a lot when I was little, but we did go crabbing (where you tie chicken necks on a string and throw them out to the bottom of the ocean until a crab comes along and tugs and you try and draw them in until you can scoop them up in a net). Random. But we would sometimes wander into a fishing store for supplies and I was also fascinated by all the colorful lure and the reels and gear. So fun!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Haha, wow, I can say I never did that 😛
There's something about all those fun little accessories (which you never ended up using), but were still so cool to collect in my little girl mind!
Yet Another Blogging Mummy!!!
I only recently came across tilapia, but really like it, especially as I haven't found any bones in a fillet yet. This sounds a great combination of flavours
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It's such a nice light white fish!
Wheelie Good Meals
I love Tilapia and Courgette, this is a great recipe I'll share!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! Thank you!
Celeste
Well now, THIS looks refreshing! What a great flavor combo.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Sarah-Ann
Looks and sounds delicious. Never thought about cooking Tilapia with peaches.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Christine
I would never have thought to put peach and zucchini together but will certainly try it. We're trying to eat more seafood around here so this recipe is going on the list.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Perfect! This recipe would be great for you then!
casey
This sounds amazing! I am a huge fan of fruit salsas!! I was definitely a tomboy growing up. I still feel like a tomboy! haha. I fished when I was little with my dad, but I don't any more. Great memories!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Casey 🙂
Farrah
Yay for tilapia! That peach zucchini salsa looks amazing! *-*
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Farrah!
Emma
I would never have thought of putting peach and zucchini together but it sounds like a lovely fresh salsa.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It totally is!
Annmarie
This looks phenomenal! I need to give it a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Annmarie!
The Vegan 8
Oh my gosh these flavors! Dijon and basil are amazing ingredients! And peach zucchini salsa?! I've never heard of such a thing and it looks and sounds amazing. I'm totally wowed!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
The savory sweet flavors complement each other perfectly! I never know how to describe the taste of Dijon. Is it savory? Sweet? In between? Haha!
Teffy @ Teffy's Perks
Peach zucchini? Omg that sounds amazing! I've never thought to add something as juicy and delicious as a peach to salsa, and now I feel so silly for never having tried it before. Looks yum! X
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
It kinda is delicious 😉 Just as juicy as tomato, haha!
Natalie @ Obsessive Cooking Disorder
Tilapia is always good, but that peach zucchini combo is DIVINE (and perfect for summer). Love the close up shot - the color and texture is spot in. On my bucket bake list
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you so much Natalie! You are so sweet!
Healing Tomato
Peaches and zucchini make such a wonderful combination in a salsa. These pictures look so amazing.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
They do! Thanks dear!
Lora
I am not a big fan of mustard, but I think with the tilapia I will love this! Thank you der!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Try honey mustard too! It's unbelievable!
Lauren @ Wicked Spatula
I've never thought about putting zucchini in salsa before. It looks and sounds wonderful, especially with the peaches!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you! Totally on a whim idea!
Sabrina
This salsa looks great and like something I could convince a toddler to eat too because the peaches are so sweet! I love it!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, you totally could! No One can turn down summer peaches!
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
What a great way to cook tilapia! I am loving the peach zucchini salsa. I used to go fishing when I was a kid too, not that often because we lived in the city, but it was fun when we did!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I wish we had went a lot more than we did too!
Neli @ Delicious Meets Healthy
I love tilapia because it's such a quick and healthy dinner! And this peach and zucchini salsa looks so delicious! Pinning!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yea! It's so easy and quick to cook, and this salsa barely takes a second to blend up! Thanks Neli!
Ellen @ My Uncommon Everyday
I loved going fishing as a kid! I would always go for bluegill, bass, and trout with my grandpa. Such great memories <3 And this tilapia looks fabulous - LOVE the idea of the salsa.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Those memories are the best!
Thank you Ellen!
Evolve with Mary
What a beautiful memory of going fishing with your Dad and your Brother, so sweet 🙂 Peaches are still in season, I'm sure this salsa is tasty.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes, thank you Mary!
Rachel @ Delicious Balance
Peach and zucchini salsa is a genius idea! Perfect use of all things summer!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Yes! Thank you!
Kelly @ Laughter, Strength, and Food
Yum! That salsa looks so good! I like to think I was somewhere in between a tomboy and a girlie girl growing up and I think I still am now! I used to fly fish with an ex-boyfriend and I loved it when we were able to go out! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Haha, yea, that's how I am too, in-between!
Ilona's Passion
Such a perfect combo., peach with tilapia. Yum! Pinning:)
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
I always like something sweet with my protein!
Michele @ paleorunningmomma
Looks SO delicious! And the memories of fishing with your brother and dad are precious. We've fished a few times but it's never something we were in a routine with. I do remember the cool feeling of finally catching a fish after all that waiting the first time 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Haha, the waiting! I had no patience then and I definitely don't now 😉
Thank you Michele!
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table
I've eaten a lot of peach salsa (being from Georgia), but never peach zucchini! I love the thought of that - will have to try it out. Totally strange but good-sounding. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahaha, you know it! I had a bunch of zucchini and was like, "why not?"
Shashi at RunninSrilankan
I was always a tom boy growing up - it didn't help that most of my cousins were boys too!
By the way - Rebecca - that zucchini peach salsa sounds wonderful!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
No matter, it's always fun to get dirty 😉
Thanks Shashi!
Liz
Yummy! That salsa looks great. Never would've thought to pair zucchini and peach.. but now I'm hungry!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Time to go whip up some salsa!
jules
Your salsa recipe is right up my alley - I can't wait to try it with the bounty of late summer produce calling to me from the farmer's market!!!
~jules
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Fresh salsa is a summer staple!
Linda @ Veganosity
Loved the story, Rebecca, so sweet. 🙂 That salsa sounds incredible. Thank you for giving me something new to make with all of the zucchini that's in my garden!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Linda!
Haha, I added the zucchini because I had too much too!
Susie @ SuzLyfe
You know I am all over this, and yummly 'ed the CRAP out of it. I might do it with mahi, but otherwise, you are speaking my LANGUAGE. All of my favorite ingredients, all at once. I might have to go shopping!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Hahahaha, thank you Susie! Damn, I want some mahi mahi!
Kayla @ Blondes Have More Run
Beautiful pictures, Rebecca! I'm always looking for ways to spruce up my tilapia!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Thank you!
Me too! It's such a "black slate"!
Rachel @ Athletic Avocado
This sounds like absolute heaven! Peach-zucchini salsa sounds like a great combo! 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Random, but yes, it was good! Thanks Rachel!
Kristen
This looks amazing Rebecca! I love the unique flavor combo, and I happen to have all of these ingredients on hand right now. Thanks for making my dinner prep a little easier tonight.... have a great day!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
Woohoo! You'll love it! Thanks Kristen!