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For this irresistible take on classic Italian piccata, we’re basting flaky tilapia with a butter sauce brightened with briny capers and tart lemon juice. Orzo pasta, fresh tomatoes, and sweet peppers come together with a bit of crème fraîche to create a delightfully tender bed for the fish—all complete with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
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Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Halve the tomatoes. Cut off and discard the stems of the peppers; remove the cores, then thinly slice lengthwise. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Combine in a bowl. Halve the lemon crosswise; squeeze the juice into a bowl, straining out the seeds. Roughly chop the parsley leaves and stems.
Add the pasta to the pot of boiling water. Cook, uncovered, 7 to 9 minutes, or until tender. Turn off the heat. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot.
Meanwhile, in a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the prepared vegetable mixture; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 3 to 5 minutes, or until slightly softened. Turn off the heat. Transfer to the pot of cooked pasta. Add the crème fraîche and a drizzle of olive oil; stir to thoroughly combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover to keep warm. Wipe out the pan used to cook the vegetables.
Meanwhile, on a large plate, combine the flour and spice blend. Pat the fish dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper on both sides. Working one piece at a time, thoroughly coat the seasoned fish in the seasoned flour (shaking off any excess). Transfer to a separate plate.
In the same pan, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the coated fish. Cook 3 to 4 minutes, or until browned (if the pan seems dry, add a drizzle of olive oil before flipping). Flip and cook 2 to 3 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the butter, capers, and lemon juice (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, constantly spooning the sauce over the fish, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the fish is coated and cooked through.* Turn off the heat. Serve the cooked fish (including any sauce from the pan) over the finished pasta. Garnish with the chopped parsley. Enjoy!
* An instant-read thermometer should register 145°F.
Tips from Home Chefs