Pan-seared talapia with asparagus

This was so good--I have made this before and I thought of it this afternoon. It is really tasty and very healthy, but it tastes fairly decadent.

• Talapia--Fresh fish is the best, but if you live in East Texas or any other land-locked area of the US, I give you permission to use frozen fish (gasp!) There are some very decent frozen talapia filets that are individually wrapped. These filets are just the right size (3-5 oz) for a healthy serving of fish.
• Half lemon
• Olive oil

Spray olive oil in large, hot skillet. Salt and pepper the fillets and sear in the olive oil--don't overcook! Squeeze the lemon half over the fish while it is cooking. You only need to cook for 2-3 minutes per side. When done, place fillets on a real plate (not a paper one) and cover with foil or another plate to keep warm.

• 1 medium shallot--thinly sliced
• 3-4 cloves garlic--thinly sliced or minced
• 1 pat butter
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 1 tsp thyme

Spray the pan with olive oil again and add just a pat of butter. Saute the shallots and garlic together until soft. Then pour about 1/4 cup of chicken broth and 1/4 cup of white wine in to deglaze the pan. (Deglaze--don't you just love that word--sounds so fancy! Actually Add the thyme. You really don't have to measure any of this. Just put a few glugs of chicken broth and a few glugs of wine, then add just sprinkle in some dried thyme or, better yet, the leaves from several sprigs of fresh thyme. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes to thicken slightly. Pour the sauce over the fish and sprinkle with the slivered almonds.

• Fresh
• Half lemon

Salt and pepper the asparagus and spray with olive oil spray. I like to cook them on a grill pan on the stove top, but you could also use a wok or another large skillet. Salt and pepper the asparagus and squeeze the lemon over when almost done cooking. Cook 10 - 12 minutes turning with tongs every few minutes.

What about the kids? My boys actually love the fish with just a little sauce--just no shallots on the plate! I have to make them eat an asparagus, but I usually make some broccoli along for them as well. Sending the kids camping with Grammy and Papi also solves the problem!