Serves 6

Use thicker fillets of fish for this dish to keep the full-flavored bleu cheese from overpowering the flavor of the tilapia.

1½ pounds fresh tilapia

¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

¼ teaspoon chili powder

Fresh-cracked black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon olive oil

3 ounces bleu cheese

• Rinse the fish in ice water and pat dry. Sift together the cayenne, chili powder, and black pepper; season the fish with the mixture.

• Heat the oil to medium temperature in a medium-size skillet; sauté the fish on each side until crispy, golden brown, and flaky. Drain on paper-toweled rack.

• To serve, plate the drained fish and sprinkle with bleu cheese.