30 minutes meal
30 minutes meal is a easy Mexican recipe that serves 2. 450 calories per serving. Recipe by elephants and the coconut trees on YouTube.
Prep: 25 min | Cook: 20 min | Total: 1 hr
Cost: $30.79 total, $15.40 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 fillets Tilapia Fillets (about 8 oz each, thin cut white fish)
- 1 cup Basmati Rice (uncooked, long‑grain rice; can substitute jasmine or other long grain)
- 1.5 cups Water (for cooking rice)
- 1 tsp Salt (for rice; additional pinch for fish seasoning)
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil (for shallow frying; use a high‑smoke‑point oil if preferred)
- 1 cup Tomatoes (diced, for pico de gallo)
- 0.25 cup Red Onion (finely diced for pico de gallo; also used for pickled onions)
- 2 tbsp Cilantro (chopped, for pico de gallo)
- 1 Jalapeño (finely chopped, optional heat for pico de gallo)
- 2 tbsp Lime Juice (freshly squeezed for pico de gallo)
- 1 cup Green Cabbage (shredded, for veggie slaw)
- 0.5 cup Red Cabbage (shredded, for veggie slaw)
- 0.5 cup Carrots (shredded, for veggie slaw)
- 0.5 cup Red Onion (Pickling) (thinly sliced for quick pickled onions)
- 0.25 cup White Vinegar (for quick pickling)
- 1 tsp Sugar (for quick pickling)
- 0.25 tsp Salt (Pickling) (for quick pickling)
Instructions
Rinse and Soak Rice
Place the basmati rice in a colander and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. Transfer to a bowl, cover with fresh water and let soak for 10 minutes.
Time: PT10M
Cook Rice
Drain the soaked rice, add it to the rice cooker with 1.5 cups water and 1 tsp salt. Start the cooker and let it finish (about 10 minutes for fast‑cooking rice).
Time: PT10M
Marinate Fish
Pat the tilapia fillets dry with paper towels. Lightly season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Using the ends of the tongs, gently prick the flesh all over to help the seasoning penetrate. Let rest for 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Make Pico de Gallo
In a mixing bowl combine diced tomatoes, diced red onion, chopped cilantro, minced jalapeño, lime juice, and ½ tsp salt. Stir gently and refrigerate while you finish other prep.
Time: PT5M
Prepare Veggie Slaw
Shred green cabbage, red cabbage, and carrots. Toss together in a separate bowl. No dressing is added; the slaw stays crisp.
Time: PT5M
Quick Pickle Red Onions
Place the sliced red onion in a small jar. Add white vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, and ¼ tsp salt. Stir and let sit at room temperature for at least 5 minutes.
Time: PT5M
Shallow Fry Fish
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in the ceramic pan over medium heat (about 350°F). Add the fillets and cook 3‑4 minutes per side, or until the flesh is opaque and flakes easily with a fork.
Time: PT8M
Temperature: 350°F
Fluff Rice
When the rice cooker signals completion, open the lid and gently fluff the rice with a fork. Avoid over‑mixing to keep the grains separate.
Time: PT2M
Assemble the Bowl
In each serving bowl, create a bed of rice. Top with a cooked tilapia fillet, a generous spoonful of pico de gallo, a handful of veggie slaw, and a few pickled red onion slices. Serve immediately.
Time: PT2M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 450
- Protein
- 30 g
- Carbohydrates
- 55 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fiber
- 5 g
Dietary info: Gluten-Free, Pescatarian, Dairy-Free
Allergens: Fish
Last updated: April 16, 2026








