Parmesan and Horseradish Crusted Fish

E and i had a funny conversation the other night. i went a little something like this:

me: for some strange reason, i really want a tuna melt right now. ok, the reason isn't really all that weird, i am looking at the pioneer woman's tuna melts.

E: there could be few things worse than hot tuna salad. it has mayonnaise and should be served chilled. why would you make it hot with cheese on top?

me: but nearly everything is better with cheese!

E: i just don't think that sounds good. i think i like to keep my cheese and my fish separate. but wait, i like mcdonald's fish fillet and it has fish and it has cheese. hmmm . . . but is it really fish? and is it really cheese?

ok, random conversations between E and i at 10pm aside, it got me thinking, have i made any fish recipes with cheese on them?

chicken is great smothered in cheese - chicken parm, chicken casserole, chicken quesadillas, etc. beef is great topped with cheese - cheeseburgers, steak with bleu cheese, fajitas, and so on. but what about fish? i struggled to think of any recipes with cheese topped fish.

then i remembered this one. i got this recipe from one of the best personal chefs in baltimore, B. i owe my personal chef career to her. i met B when i was just starting out and she took me under her wing. so, thanks B. you have given me many a wonderful recipe. but today, you have given fish the gift of cheese!

this dish tastes wonderful just broiled with the sauce on the fish, however, i happened to have some crab meat on hand. so, like any good marylander, i threw it on the fish and voila! a great dish just got better:)

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Parmesan and Horseradish Crusted Tilapia
serves 4

4 tilapia fillets (or other mild white fish)
4 tbs grated parmesan cheese
2 tbs plain greek yogurt
2 tbs dijon mustard
2 tbs prepared horseradish
1 tbs lemon juice or white wine
1/4 tsp ground pepper
1/2 lb lump crab meat (optional)

place 4 fillets on a foil lined pan. in a small bowl stir together cheese, yogurt, mustard, horseradish, lemon/wine, and pepper. stir in crab meat, if using. if not, just spoon mixture over fish. otherwise, spoon crab mixture evenly over fish.

broil on low for 10-15 minutes until fish is cooked through and flaky.