Cornmeal Crusted Tilapia with Mango, Corn, and Cucumber Salsa

Makes 4 servings

This simple salsa celebrates the clean, fresh flavors of summertime. It's a natural pairing with seafood but is also delicious with chicken, beef, and pork.  

Salsa:
1 cup diced ripe mango
1 ear of sweet corn, kernels cut off from cob
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup diced cucumbers with the skins on
2 teaspoons fresh ginger
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
2 teaspoons honey
The juice of 1 large lime (about 2 tablespoons)
The zest of 1/3 lime (about 1/8 teaspoon)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh mint

Fish:
4 (4 ounce) filets of tilapia, or other thin, white fish such as Dover Sole
2 egg whites
1/2 cup yellow cornmeal (also called grits and polenta)
A couple of pinches of salt
A couple of pinches of freshly ground black pepper
6 cups mesclun

1. Combine all salsa ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large, rimmed baking sheet or baking dish with cooking spray. Place egg whites in a shallow bowl and lightly beat with a fork. In another shallow bowl, place cornmeal seasoned with salt and pepper. Pat fish dry with paper towel. Dip each piece of fish in the egg whites then dredge in the cornmeal until completely coated. Place on prepared baking dish and cook for 20 minutes, turning once mid-way through. The fish will be cooked when the cornmeal becomes golden and crunchy and the fish is opaque when pierced with a fork.

3. Place 1 1/2 cups mesclun on each plate. Place a fish filet in the middle and top with a 1/4 of the salsa. Repeat with remaining dishes.

Alternative stove-top method: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 1 1/2 tablespoons canola oil. Place fish in pan and cook for 4-5 minutes without touching. Flip once, and cook another 3-4 minutes, or until the cornmeal is golden and crunchy and the fish is opaque when pierced with a fork.

Recipe created by Susan Russo of Food Blogga.