Steamed Tilapia Fillet on Sayote Tops Ensalada

Food minus and food plus are the talks in the Food Industry now. It's either you make the bad stuffs less or fortify the food with what is lacking and claim that the addition make the food healthier. That's basically the trend in food development today. In my kitchen, I think it's about time to take this direction too. Hence, it's only apt to have steamed fish and vegetable salad on our plates came family dinner time. I would like to share these recipes in particular to those who have started to prefer healthier food alternatives. Incidentally, the meal will also make a good entry for this week's Weekend Herb Blogging which is being hosted by Pam of Sidewalk Shoes.

Did it already occur to you why a seafood dish is best paired with vegetables and vice versa? Whenever we take any, we always long for its partner, right? Maybe it has something to do with the dish being light for the tummy that's why we like to have some more. On to the dish, Chayote Leaves (or Sayote Tops in Filipino), is one of the popular vegetables locally. What I particularly like about this vegetables is it's clean, neutral taste. I can barely taste the greeny note. It is leafy, yes, but very subtle in flavor. Thus, it really is perfect for an ensalada (spanish for salad). Similarly, among the locally farmed fishes in the Philippines, perhaps it is Tilapia that'll rank to the top in popularity. It can be cooked in a number of ways. But it is typically served fried in Filipinos' dining table. For now, I would like my family to savour nothing but clean taste (like clean labels in commercial products). Hence, steaming and tossing are our way of cooking; Steamed Tilapia Fillet on Sayote Tops Ensalada is our meal.

Steamed Tilapia Fillet:

What you need:

2 pcs tilapia fillet, 3 tbsps oyster sauce, 2 tbsps olive oil, 4 cloves garlic (minced), pepper to taste

How to make:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl.

2. Rub the mixture into the tilapia and wrap in aluminum foil.

3. Steam until flesh becomes white.

Sayote Tops Ensalada:

What you need:

1 bunch of sayote leaves (blanched), 3 pcs tomatoes (seeds removed and cubed), 1 small onion (chopped), 1/4 cup calamansi juice, 2 tbsps fish sauce

How to make:

1. Mix and toss all ingredients in a bowl.

2. Chill for a few minutes before serving.