Garlic Herb Butter Tilapia W/Farro Salad

I love this recipe because it's filling, but light at the same time.  It provides you with plenty of protein, fresh veggies, and some whole grains to go along with it.  Pro tip: you can make the garlic herb butter & farro ahead of time and refrigerate.

See the recipe below:

Total Time: 40-45 minutes

Servings: 4-6

Ingredients:

2 pounds fresh Tilapia

1 fresh lemon, quartered

Garlic herb butter:

1 stick butter
1 tbs Rosemary, finely chopped
1tbs thyme, finely chopped
1 large or 2 small cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp lemon zest

Lemon vinaigrette:
1/4 cup olive oil
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
Juice of 2 lemons
1 tsp lemon zest
Salt & pepper to taste

Farro Salad:

1 cup farro, uncooked

3 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped

2 cups veggies of your choice - I used broccoli and snap peas

Instructions:

1. Cook Farro according to package directions.  While this is cooking, get started on making the garlic herb butter.
2. Soften 1 stick of butter by pacing it in the microwave for 60 seconds on power level 2 (or leave it out of the fridge overnight to soften).
3. Finely chop 1 tablespoon of rosemary, 1 tablespoon thyme, and 1 large or 2 small cloves of garlic.
4. Add the chopped herbs & garlic to the softened butter and stir.
5. For the tilapia, you'll only need half of this, so divide in 2 and add 1/2 tsp lemon zest to one of the halves.  Set aside and refrigerate until ready to cook your fish.
6. Make the vinaigrette.  I like to make my vinaigrette in an airtight container so all I have to do is add the ingredients and then give it a good shake. Set aside and refrigerate until ready to dress your salad.
7. Once the farro is cooked, let cool in the fridge while you cook your fish.
8. Now you're ready to cook your tilapia!  Preheat a non-stick pan on medium-high.
9. Once your pan is preheated, lower the heat to medium and add 1/4* of your garlic herb butter and spread around the pan.
10. When the butter is melted, add the tilapia fillets, laying away from you, and season with salt and pepper.  Depending on the thickness of your fillets, cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes and then flip.  Make sure the tilapia has released from the pan before flipping - this is a good sign it's ready for you to flip.
11. Cook the fillets for approximately 5 more minutes, adding 1/4* of the butter.  
12. Once the fillets are cooked, squeeze a quarter of a lemon over the top of each fillet.
13. Assemble your farro salad, add dressing, and plate next to your fillet.
14. Pair with your favorite white wine and enjoy!

*This measurement of butter is assuming you will need to cook your fillets in 2 rounds.  If your fillets are thinner and you need to cook more rounds, divide butter accordingly.

Garlic Herb Butter Ingredients:

Farro Salad:

Final Dish: