Since we got our new spice grinder (birthday shopping! Yay!) I’ve been so excited to create our own spice blends. I always see mixtures in the store and think to myself it would be so much better to make my own… so now, I am.
One of our all-time favorite seasoning blends is Tony Chachere’s Creole Seasoning. We love it, but you’ve gotta be careful because it’s pretty much salt. We wanted something we could use to season fish and chicken with generously, but still be able to control the salt content. Enter, our very own cajun blackening seasoning!
My dad’s side of the family hailing from New Orleans, creole and cajun cuisines are near and dear to my heart. There’s nothing that says “welcome home” to Dad’s house like a giant pot of gumbo… that, these days, is empty and sitting on the stove, waiting for US to make the gumbo! Reason #73 why growing up is overrated! Ha! But I digress..
While I’ve not delved into the gumbo making (we leave that to Dannie, Dad’s little protege), we’ve certainly been all about the catfish frying and po’ boy making around here. Nana would be proud! But since we’re (read: I’m) keeping carbs and deep frying to a minimum, some oven-blackened tilapia was the perfect Nawlins-style dinner.
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or crushed red pepper)
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon celery seed
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon iodized sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground fennel
- Stir all ingredients together in a small bowl until well mixed. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and line a baking dish with aluminum foil. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil in the bottom of the baking pan and spread evenly so the fish won't stick.
- Rinse tilapia filets and pat dry. Brush with olive oil on both sides until coated. Rub 1 tablespoon of blackening seasoning into each side of the tilapia filet until evenly coated on all sides.
- Bake the tilapia for 12-15 minutes, or until cooked through.