Crab-Stuffed Tilapia with Roasted Vegetables

We have been making tilapia (a nice white fish) a regular on our weekly menus these past few months.  I wanted to play with this a bit and decided that I needed to try a stuffed tilapia.  This recipe really came from two different inspirations.  First, I adapted the tilapia recipe from Crabmeat Stuffed Tilapia (at Food.com).  Second, I adapted just the vegetables from my Roasted Vegetables with Tilapia.  This is going to be very welcome in the mix for fish recipes in our house.  This came out amazing!  If you want the fish a bit more moist, melt 1 tbsp of butter and pour it over the fish before you bake.  The vegetables are not photographed - but they are the same as with the original dish.

Ingredients (Serves 2-3):

Roasted Vegetables:
12 Fingerling potatoes, cut in half
12 Baby-cut carrots, cut in half lengthwise
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp Olive oil, divided
1/2 tsp Kosher salt, divided
1/2 tsp Black pepper, divided
12 Kalamata olives, pitted
2 tsp Garlic, chopped (or cloves)
2 crowns Broccoli, trimmed with small amount of stems

Crab-Stuffed Tilapia:
1 tbsp Butter
1 tbsp Olive oil
1 Onion (small), finely chopped
1 Celery rib (small), finely chopped
2 tsp Garlic, chopped (or cloves)
1 tbsp Parsley, dried
1⁄4 cup Breadcrumbs
6 oz can Crab meat, drained
1 tbsp Lemon juice
1/4 tsp Kosher salt (adjust to taste)
1/4 tsp Black pepper (adjust to taste)
3 Tilapia fillets
1/2 tsp Paprika

Vegetables Directions:
1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. In a mixing bowl, add potatoes, carrots, 1 tablespoons oil, and 1/4 tsp each of kosher salt and black pepper. Stir thoroughly. Arrange in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet.  Roast for 15 minutes
3. While the potatoes are cooking, use the same mixing bowl then add olives, garlic, broccoli, 1 tsp olive oil and 1/4 tsp each of kosher salt and black pepper. Mix thoroughly. When the 15 minutes of roasting (above) are complete, add the olive mix to the pan and stir thoroughly.  Cook for 20 or 22 additional minutes.

Crab-Stuffed Tilapia Directions:
1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. Heat 1 tbsp of butter and olive oil over medium heat.  Add onion, celery & garlic; saute until tender (5-7 minutes).  Remove from heat and place in a mixing bowl.
3. Add parsley, breadcrumbs, crab meat, lemon juice, Kosher salt and black pepper to the onion mixture.  Mix thoroughly.
4. Spray casserole or oven pan with cooking spray.
5. Spread the mixture over the connected section of the tilapia fillets and fold over the ends over the stuffing.  Place leftover stuffing on top of the folded fillets & sprinkle with paprika.  NOTE: if you want the fish a bit more moist, melt 1 tbsp of butter and pour it over the fish before you bake.
6. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes.

Combined Timing:
1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. Prepare the Tilapia stuffing & prepare the fish.
3. Place Vegetables in a pan in the oven (potatoes and carrots).
4. After 15 minutes, add other vegetables to that pan (as directed).  Also, put the fish in the oven.
5. Both will be done in 20-22 minutes.

Enjoy!