Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Arrange tilapia fillets on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan without overlapping any of the fillets. Set aside.

2. Place butter in a mixing bowl and allow to come to room temperature while preparing the herbs. As the butter will be one of the main ingredients in the dish, select the best butter you can find. European butters lend an especially creamy and rich mouth feel.

3. Remove the leaves from more woodsy herbs, such as rosemary, thyme and oregano. Discard the stems. If using parsley, cilantro or more delicate herbs, you may either remove the leaves and discard the stems or finely chop both leaves and stems.

4. Chop the herbs, finely, and add to the softened butter. A good ratio to follow is 2 tablespoons of chopped herbs for every 1 stick of butter. Using a wooden spoon, mix the herbs and the butter. Alternatively, you may blend everything in a food processor.

5. Sprinkle salt and pepper, to taste, on each fillet. Scoop out a small amount of butter and place on top of each fillet. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the fillets are golden brown and the flesh is opaque. Actual cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fillets.

6. Serve with additional herb butter and lemon wedges as a garnish. Tilapia baked with herb butter pairs especially well with risotto, rice and angel-hair pasta, as the butter drips into the starch and creates a harmonious dish.