Oatland Island Wildlife Center
711 Sandtown Roadd
Savannah, GA 31410
(912) 395-1500

-          Pan-frying tilapia is a great way to cook the fish since its durable flesh stands up well to high heat. Coat the exterior with a crust of breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper and cook it quickly in oil over high heat so it cooks through while creating a crispy coating.

-          Tilapia blackens extremely well and is a staple in Southern cooking. To blacken the fish, coat it in butter and Cajun seasoning. Cook in a cast iron skillet until the outside darkens. When it's done, serve with a spicy mayonnaise on French bread for a great sandwich.

-          Tilapia is also excellent for a fresh ceviche. Squeeze citrus, such as limes, into a large bowl and completely submerge the fish in the juice, then refrigerate. The citric acid will essentially “cook” the fish, bringing out amazing flavors. Serve with a salsa fresca comprised of chopped tomatoes, onions, and peppers.

-          This fish also works well for fish tacos. Cook the filets quickly in a nonstick skillet with olive oil, salt, and pepper until the flesh becomes flaky. Serve with soft tortillas and pair with avocado, mango, and green onions. Use a pico de gallo salsa for dipping.

-          Since it's a hearty fish, tilapia also holds up exceptionally well on the grill. Season it with lemon butter and capers and serve over rice pilaf, couscous, or pasta.

Add Color
One of the easiest ways to change the feel of your room is through the accessories. Change out your old throw pillows for new ones with geometric patterns or fun colors. Switch your lamp shades and add a new throw blanket or funky drapes to complete the look.

Hang Art
Another great way to bring some personality into your space is through the art work on your walls. If your walls are relatively empty or if you’re tired of your old pieces, purchase some decorative frames at a craft shop and frame your favorite vacation photos, your children’s art, or cool posters you’ve collected. Make your walls a reflection of you!

Add Life
Literally bring life into the room with fresh flowers or potted plants. It’s amazing how adding a little greenery can make such a huge difference. If you don’t have a green thumb, rely on cut flowers or ask your local florist about low-maintenance plants.

Durian is one of the most popular fruits of Southeast Asia. It has a uniquely creamy texture and deep, complex flavor. The main reason you don’t see it much in the United States is because of its odor, which is incredibly pungent and a little off-putting, but if you can get past it the flavor is amazing.

Miracle fruit is another very interesting plant, hailing from Africa. This odd little berry packs a potent dose of an enzyme that briefly changes the way you taste other foods. It does so  by removing the tongue’s ability to taste sour and bitter flavors — so, eating a lemon after a miracle fruit just gives you an unusual citrus sweetness without any puckering bitterness.

Escargot is one of the most revered dishes in French cuisine — and, yes, it’s snails served in their shells. But if you can get over the yuck factor, they’re amazing, buttery packages of rich flavor.

Fugu, the Japanese puffer fish, needs to be prepared by an expert before it is served, as the poison glands inside the fish’s body can paralyze or even kill a human being. But, if you're on the adventurous side, and willing to take your life in your hands (just kidding!), the flesh itself is light and delicate.

If you’ve never sampled caviar, widely known as one of the world’s most decadent foods, you owe it to yourself to try it. The powerful, flavorful fish eggs are excellent atop blinis or small toasts.