Talapia team with Tortellini Salad!

"No more red meat" says Joe... "We should stick with fish and chicken"... so tonight, seared talapia with a side salad of tortellini salad! Super healthy, light, easy, and delicious! To start our tortellini salad, chop 1 red pepper, 1 yellow pepper, and 1 medium size zucchini into bite size pieces. You'll also add about 1 lb, or about 2 cups of broccoli chopped into big (tree trunk-like) pieces. Cook your tortellini according to the package directions (in salted water) and add the broccoli in for the last minute of cooking. Strain and add to the chopped veggies! Add your favorite balsamic vinaigrette dressing, or better yet, home made, and toss all the veggies with the cooked broccoli and tortellini! Set aside and get ready to cook the fish! We'll dust these filets in about 1/2 cup of flour, seasoned with garlic powder and salt and pepper. But you'll also need to season the fish!! I seasoned our fresh talapia filets with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Next, I dusted them in the flour and popped into a medium hot pan coated with about 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil. I had 6 filets, so I had to snuggle them all in there so that each one got enough heat (without overlapping). Cook 3 minutes on the first side, and flip! Cook for another 3 minutes on the other side. Now let's rest that fish and get the topping ready! I gently placed my cooked fish in a warm (200 degree) oven for a minute while I prepared the topping for the fish. This is one of my FAVORITE ways to top fish and add flavor. I add it to all kinds of fish (swordfish, cod, almost any white fish)... First, I simply used a paper towel to wipe that pan to get any fish-bits out, and coated with another little tablespoon of olive oil. Then I added 2 pints of cherry tomatoes!! Cook for about 1-2 minutes until they start to blister and heat through!!! Add about 2-3 garlic cloves, chopped, and about 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. After the garlic hits the pan, add about 2 tablespoons of white wine to help soften the tomatoes and garlic, and blend the flavors together! Game time!!! Dinner Joe's way... 2 fillets topped with garlic and tomatoes with a heaping side of tortellini salad! And dinner Stevie's way... talapia filet with some garlic and parsley (no tomatoes for Stevie... crazy kid!), and tortellini salad on the side! Make this your way, with whatever fresh veggies you have, or with the dressing of your choice, but tortellini make for one tasty treat when paired with fresh veggies! YUM!!