Tilapia, "St. Peter's Fish," Who Knew?

Did you know? Tilapia is sometime called, "St. Peter's Fish"? This comes from the Bible story when Jesus was asked to pay the Temple Tax.

"When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the temple tax approached Peter, and said, "Doesn’t your teacher pay the temple tax?"
He said, "Yes."
When he came into the house, before he had tome to speak, Jesus asked him,
"What is your opinion, Simon?
From whom do the kings of the earth take tolls or census tax?
From their subjects or foreigners?"
Peter said to him, "From foreigners."
Jesus said to him, "Then the subjects are exempt.
But, that we may not offend them, go to the sea,
and cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up.
When you have opened its mouth, you will find a coin worth twice the temple tax.
Take that, and give it to them for me and you."
-Matthew 17: 24-27

Tradition says that the fish Peter pulled from the sea was a Tilapia fish. And the species serotherodon galilaeus galilaeus is found in the Sea of Galilee today. Next time you're out fishing, be sure to check that fishes' mouth before throwing him back!

So, here's a tasty Tilapia dish to serve for dinner tomorrow on Holy Friday.

Tilapia at Sunset-serves 4
Ingredients:
6 tilapia fillets
Chef Paul's Seafood Magic Seasoning
1 lemon
1 stick of unsalted butter
cook on outside grill


Squeeze 1/2 lemon on fillets
Sprinkle seasoning liberally -
Set in fridge for one hour prior to cooking
Line grill pan with 2 sheets of aluminum foil
Cook over medium heat (target 300 degrees)
Melt butter in grill pan adding fillets
Cook for approximately 5 minutes, turn and finish for another 7 minutes
The finishing touches- squeeze the remaining 1/2 lemon

We wish you and yours a blessed Easter and Easter Season, filled with hope, peace and abundant love.