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The last night we were in Hawaii, we went to the nicest restaurant at Turtle Bay. I wasn’t familiar with most of the items on the menu but this one really stood out to me. The restaurant used fresh caught sea bass rubbed in chili spices and crusted it in macadamia nuts. This one was a winner!
The last night was my absolute favorite night. It was so nice to be away in beautiful Hawaii with the hubby. It was so relaxing and we had the time of our lives. Our room was right on the beach with a hammock right outside. We would lay in the hammock right next to the ocean and relax under the stars. We even saw a shooting star! Doesn’t that sound like perfection?
This is totally making me want to go back!! Anyway back to life and back to reality! Did I just get that song stuck in your head? 🙂
I wanted to create the same flavor as the delicious fish that I had at the restaurant. It seemed pretty simple to make and the spices mixed with the sweet macadamia nut flavor was to die for. The great thing about fish is that it cooks so quickly. And when it is pan seared, it gives the fish a beautiful crust and amazing flavor!
More amazing recipes from Hawaii Week:
Pineapple Cheesecake Dessert Bars
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Chili Macadamia Crusted Tilapia
Ingredients
- 4 tilapia fillets, or fish of choice
- ½ cup macadamia nuts
- ½ cup panko crumbs
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the macadamia nuts until well-chopped but slightly coarse.
- In a small bowl, combine macadamia nuts, panko crumbs, chili powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, salt and pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the egg and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
- Dredge each tilapia fillet in the egg then coat them in the macadamia and panko mixture.
- Carefully place the breaded tilapia fillets into the heated pan, and sear on each side for 2-3 minutes or until brown on each side and cooked through.
- Remove from heat and serve fresh.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m still making it 5 years later. 🫶
This Chili macadamia crusted tilapia is one of my families all time favorites and it takes just minutes to prepare and cook. I bake ours instead of pan frying just because I dislike the smell it leaves in our kitchen when I pan fry and it’s a bit healthier. Thank you for sharing this.
How long and at what temperature do you bake yours? Thanks!
This tilapia has become our favorite tilapia recipe. Thank you for sharing a delicious new idea that surpasses the traditional bakes by far.
Thank you.
You are totally welcome! Thank you for the kind compliment and following along with me! I am so glad that you enjoyed it! XOXO
I have been trying to find instant cheesecake pudding mix where I live , western canada, with no luck.can you tell me who makes it.I know it isn’t made by kraft foods because I checked.I would really like to try it if I can find it.Thank you
It is made by Jello brand. 🙂
Looks delicious! Macademia nuts sounds awesome.