Spice-Rubbed Tilapia with Banana & Black Bean Salad

A couple weeks ago I told you about how I’ve been quite the lazy bum. On that note I’ve been seeking the simplest recipes composed of fresh ingredients. Because in this household, simple doesn’t usually equate with “from a jar” or “made by a factory and transferred to my freezer.”

Ironically, I have a hard time with simple. I’ll always find a way to complicate life when I can, including when cooking. But my friend Dawn kept me down to earth with this idea, which was particularly intriguing because of the banana. I’ve had mango salsa, pineapple and peach – but never banana!

This recipe really doesn’t need any extra steps or ingredients to nourish the body and taste buds on a lazy summer evening after a long day. It’s perfect as is; a blend of a few clean, fresh ingredients coming together in less than 20 minutes. If you’re like me and need a reminder to KISS, try putting this on your weekly menu. You’ll be glad you did!

Spice-Rubbed Tilapia with Banana & Black Bean Salad
Slightly Adapted from Clean Eating Magazine via Florida Coastal Cooking

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
2 bananas, peeled and chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded and diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
juice from 1 lime
pinch of cumin
freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste

4 tilapia filets, about 5oz each
1 tsp each chili powder and cumin
salt and pepper

Combine the beans, bananas, jalapeno peppers, red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and cumin in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Sprinkle the fish with chili powder, cumin, salt and pepper, and gently rub into the filets. Broil, pan-sear, or grill until just opaque.Serve hot with the banana & black bean salad.

Nutritional Info
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 294.9
Total Fat: 3.6 g
Cholesterol: 62.5 mg
Sodium: 460.9 mg
Total Carbs: 36.3 g
Dietary Fiber: 7.9 g
Protein: 36.1 g

Update: Check out this recipe and other wholesome favorites at Michelle’s Wholesome Whole Foods Friday Event!

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26 Responses to “Spice-Rubbed Tilapia with Banana & Black Bean Salad”

  1. 1

    amanda @ fake ginger — August 9, 2010 @ 11:35 am Reply

    Banana?! Why have I never done that? It looks fantastic and so does the tilapia. I can't wait to try it!

  2. 2

    Elina — August 9, 2010 @ 12:36 pm Reply

    Cara – this sounds super unique and quite fantastic. I still remember your banana curry, which I must try although this is definitely more summery.I'm making 2 of your recipes tonight actually! 😀

  3. 3

    Katie @ Health for the Whole Self — August 9, 2010 @ 1:05 pm Reply

    I'm definitely like you and need a reminder to keep it simple! Since I just got into cooking within the past 2 years or so, I'm still always wanting to make special recipes (which usually means complicated). Love that this is unique without being difficult or over the top!

  4. 4

    Sandi — August 9, 2010 @ 1:33 pm Reply

    that looks great Cara!! I love tilapia and those flavors will work so well together

  5. 5

    Lizzy — August 9, 2010 @ 3:41 pm Reply

    How interesting! Bananas and black beans?!? Sounds so different. Another delicious meal. And I hear you.. I always want to do simple but its so much fun to be complicated, haha!

  6. 6

    Joanne — August 9, 2010 @ 6:11 pm Reply

    I definitely need reminders to KISS at times. I should spend way more time KISSing than I do… :PI saw this on Dawn's site and loved it! The tilapia pairing is perfect.

  7. 7

    grace — August 9, 2010 @ 8:37 pm Reply

    bananas and black beans. together. in a salad. i must admit, i'm perplexed. that's an interesting combination that's definitely worth a try!

  8. 8

    Kerstin — August 10, 2010 @ 3:00 am Reply

    Oh, I bet this would be great with plantains instead of bananas too – yum!

  9. 9

    Ivy — August 11, 2010 @ 3:44 am Reply

    What an interesting combination! I would have never thought of combining beans with bananas. Must try this soon.

  10. 10

    Dawn — August 11, 2010 @ 6:46 pm Reply

    I'm so glad you tried it and liked it! This is one recipe that was so easy I actually have made it a few more times. I really like Kerstin's idea of the plantains!

  11. 11

    teresacooks — November 15, 2010 @ 12:29 am Reply

    I made this for dinner tonight and my 8 year old daughter ate 3 pieces of fish!!! Thank you!

  12. 12

    teresacooks — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    I made this for dinner tonight and my 8 year old daughter ate 3 pieces of fish!!! Thank you!

  13. 13

    Dawn — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    I'm so glad you tried it and liked it! This is one recipe that was so easy I actually have made it a few more times. I really like Kerstin's idea of the plantains!

  14. 14

    Ivy — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    What an interesting combination! I would have never thought of combining beans with bananas. Must try this soon.

  15. 15

    Kerstin — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    Oh, I bet this would be great with plantains instead of bananas too – yum!

  16. 16

    grace — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    bananas and black beans. together. in a salad. i must admit, i'm perplexed. that's an interesting combination that's definitely worth a try!

  17. 17

    Joanne — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    I definitely need reminders to KISS at times. I should spend way more time KISSing than I do… :PI saw this on Dawn's site and loved it! The tilapia pairing is perfect.

  18. 18

    Lizzy — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    How interesting! Bananas and black beans?!? Sounds so different. Another delicious meal. And I hear you.. I always want to do simple but its so much fun to be complicated, haha!

  19. 19

    Sandi — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    that looks great Cara!! I love tilapia and those flavors will work so well together

  20. 20

    Katie @ Health for the Whole S — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    I'm definitely like you and need a reminder to keep it simple! Since I just got into cooking within the past 2 years or so, I'm still always wanting to make special recipes (which usually means complicated). Love that this is unique without being difficult or over the top!

  21. 21

    amanda @ fake ginger — March 28, 2011 @ 8:41 pm Reply

    Banana?! Why have I never done that? It looks fantastic and so does the tilapia. I can't wait to try it!

  22. 22

    Elina — March 28, 2011 @ 8:51 pm Reply

    Cara – this sounds super unique and quite fantastic. I still remember your banana curry, which I must try although this is definitely more summery.I'm making 2 of your recipes tonight actually! 😀

  23. 23

    teresacooks — March 29, 2011 @ 2:07 am Reply

    I made this for dinner tonight and my 8 year old daughter ate 3 pieces of fish!!! Thank you!

  24. 24

    Sandi — March 29, 2011 @ 2:07 am Reply

    that looks great Cara!! I love tilapia and those flavors will work so well together

  25. 25

    amanda @ fake ginger — March 29, 2011 @ 2:07 am Reply

    Banana?! Why have I never done that? It looks fantastic and so does the tilapia. I can't wait to try it!

  26. 26

    Katie @ Health for the Whole S — April 5, 2011 @ 1:25 am Reply

    I'm definitely like you and need a reminder to keep it simple! Since I just got into cooking within the past 2 years or so, I'm still always wanting to make special recipes (which usually means complicated). Love that this is unique without being difficult or over the top!

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