Hawaiian Tilapia with Toasted Coconut

Aaah Hawaii, America’s paradise! Palm trees, warm water, hula skirts, ukulele music, and delicious food! What’s not to love?

Just as the islands of Hawaii themselves are unique, Hawaiian cuisine is quite distinct from typical American cuisine. Combining Polynesian, Chinese, Japanese, and even Portuguese influences (like Honolulu’s best malasadas) with local ingredients like pineapple, coconut, and fresh fish, Hawaiian cuisine epitomizes fusion cooking.

This Hawaiian Tilapia recipe takes the islands’ best known flavors to create a dish so delicious, yet so easy to prepare. And it’s healthy! Tilapia is high in protein and low in fat, so this recipe is perfect for a quick, delicious, healthy dinner! Just like Hawaii, what’s not to love?

Hawaiian Tilapia with Toasted Coconut Recipe

Servings: 4

Ingredients
2 tablespoons pineapple juice
⅛ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
⅛ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ketchup
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
5 ounces tilapia fillet
3 tablespoons coconut flakes, chopped and toasted

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Mix together the pineapple juice, paprika, garlic powder, ketchup, soy, and rice vinegar.
3. Place tilapia on well-sprayed sheet pan, and brush on pineapple juice mixture. Coat well, and sprinkle on coconut.
4. Bake for approximately 7 minutes until cooked through.

Tips
1. Tilapia is a light white fish. If you cannot get it, or prefer another fish, halibut, cod, or sea bass work well.

Meal Prep
1. This meal can be fully prepared days before, but as always, I recommend eating fish as soon as possible.