PINAPUTOK NA TILAPIA, BAKED NOT FRIED

Been a while the last time I made this. Last time was fried so this time I baked them in the oven. 

Turned out pretty good and not fishy at all with the help of ginger and cilantro. Try it! Oh yeah and healthier too!

Ingredients:

• 2 large whole tilapia
• 1/3 cup diced tomato
• 1/3 cup diced onion
• 1 thumb size ginger, chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro (optional)
• Salt and ground pepper to taste
• Olive oil (I used one in spray can) or any kind of oil you uses
• Banana leaves, cleaned
• Aluminum foil

Cooking Direction:

1. Scale tilapia and remove guts. Make a long slit on each side of the tilapia. That way you can put more stuffing. Set aside.
2. Combine tomato, ginger, onion and cilantro in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
3. *Start the oven in 425 degrees*.
4. Microwave banana leaves for a minutes. That way the leaves will soften and easier to use.
5. Arrange the aluminum foil. Top with banana leaves and spray or brush with oil.
6. Season tilapia with salt and stuff with enough tomato onion mixture.
7. Spray or brush the tilapia with more cooking oil.
8. Wrap the tilapia with banana leaves and aluminum foil.
9. Place the wrapped tilapia in a pan and bake for at least 45 minutes.
10. Remove the baked tilapia from the oven, remove aluminum foil but leave the banana leaves and serve hot with your favorite fish dip. I made lemon and soy sauce dip , yummmy!