4th of July weekend cookoff: Roasted Tilapia, Lemon Butter Shrimp, Ratatouille

I hope everyone had a nice Fourth of July weekend.  With family and friends over, it gives me a chance to do what I like best – COOK!  I made roasted Tilapia as the main course.

Roasted Tilapia

This fish was a two-pounder.  Cooking it to the right doneness was a little tricky.  The key is to cook it enough so that the meat will easily separate from the bone.

I also made some sauteed Lemon Butter Shrimp.  The flavor of lemon, thyme, basil, and butter is divine.  And I love caramelizing the shrimp to a gorgeous golden glow.

Lemon Butter Shrimp

And finally I made a traditional French Ratatatouille.

Ratatouille

I was inspired by the movie of the same title.  Hey if a rat can make it, I can too!  A ratatouille is a homestyle vegetable stew made of seasonal summer vegetables.  I used eggplant, shallots, sweet red peppers, and tomatoes.  For garnish I used basil and thyme.

Ratatouille Mise en place

Shallots

Sweet Peppers added to Ratatouille