Tilapia & Asparagus- Yum! HCG Recipe

Today I made the most wonderful lunch!  Who knew that such a restricted diet could be so tasty!  If you’ve read my previous post about my love of food it will come as no surprise that I need to find a way to “cook” on this protocol.  I think the key is spices and seasonings.  For one it has some prep time (even if it’s only minimal) involved and it also satisfies the cook in me.  So today I went for tilapia and asparagus.  I think the key to good tasting food is the quality of the spices you use, and in my book I haven’t found any more flavorful and fresh than thePenzeys Spice company. They have a few stores around the country and a website you can order off of.  I’ve never been lucky enough to visit one of their stores, but do order online.  They have excellent customer service as well, which always scores points for me!

So, for this meal I started with 100 grams of tilapia and rubbed it down with Penzeys Trinidad Spice. They describe it as an Authentic Southern Caribbean seasoning for grilled or broiled poultry and fish. Lemon-garlic blend with a hint of clove and ginger.  I describe it as So-Yummy!!

There is no oil allowed during the protocol so just pat it on both sides of the fish as best you can.  It actually sticks pretty well.  Then grill it for approximately 5-10 minutes on a grill that is about 350 degrees, turning it about half way through.  The fish is done when it turns white all the way through.

Meanwhile, or just prior to cooking the fish, I prepared the asparagus.  I have always started by drizzling the asparagus with olive oil, but again there is no oil allowed on the protocol so I just dampened the asparagus with water.  My hopes were that the water would help the Penzey’s Lemon Pepper Spice stick to the asparagus.  And guess what?  It worked!

Then I grilled it at the same temperature as the fish (350 degrees) for about 10 minutes, turning once.

I have to be honest and tell you that I was quite concerned about not being able to use olive oil on the asparagus.  I seriously doubted that it would taste as good. But to my delight, I loved it!  I did sprinkle a little more lemon pepper on it after I took it off the grill.  But just look at it…doesn’t it look So-Yummy!!

Preparing this really takes no time at all.  The weather today was one of the first beautiful days that whisper the start of fall is coming.  I made my plate and sat on the deck …I felt like I was having a special occasion meal.  Try it and let me know what you think!