first of April

No plans for April Fool's Day but to watch my back.  You see, it is common practice in France for schoolchildren to tape a paper fish on someone's back.  When it is discovered, they call out "poisson d'Avril".  It seems that an 'April fish' is a young, naive fish that is easily caught. Here, we play practical jokes and try to get people to believe the ridiculous or to find the impossible.  The prank ends by calling the victim an April Fool.  And on April 1, join me in wishing Flo a  Happy Birthday.  Better yet, check out her blog, Charlotte and Spice where you'll find wonderful recipes such as this 'poisson':

Pan seared Tilapia with a Lemon Butter Sauce

(serves 4)

Sauce:

5 cloves of garlic

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 cup dry white wine

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 stick of butter (1/2 cup), cut in pieces

Zest and juice of 1 lemon

Fish:

2 lbs Tilapia fillets (depending on their size, about 2 per person)

1 cup of flour

First prepare the sauce:

Saute the garlic in a medium sauce pan with the olive oil, until soft. Add the wine and simmer until reduced, about 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock, simmer to reduce again, about 10 more minutes. Add the lemon zest. Add the butter, a few pieces at a time, and whisk until melted. Add the lemon juice and set aside. You can keep it warm on the stove with the heat on minimum.

Flour the fish fillets. Heat 1 Tbsp of Olive oil in a non stick pan and saute the fish, about 2-3 minutes per side.

Serve hot with the sauce and some wild rice.