How Appetizing!
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We’re nearly through the Holidays! Hooray for us, we’ve almost made it! The endless party conga is about to call it quits.
And I have to tell you, I’m so darned tired of cooking. Tired of cleaning the kitchen and loading / unloading the dishwasher too. At present, I’m staring at a dried up, once-gorgeous-but-now-bordering-on-pathetic tree that needs to be taken down ASAP. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: appetizer, Cheese, lemons, limes, new year, quesadillas, shrimp, spinach, tomato | Comments
Panko Crusted Shrimp Cakes
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So we’re clear: I don’t share this recipe with just anyone.
But maybe it’s because it’s December 24th, and all of my Christmas cards are finally done and outta here. Maybe it’s because all of the gifts are wrapped and I don’t have to pull an all-nighter for the first time in 5 years. Read the rest of this entry »
Bacon Wrapped Beef Tenderloin
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“He brought everything back, all the food for the feast.
And he, he himself, the Grinch, carved the roast beast.”
~ The Grinch, 1966 Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: bacon, beef, holiday, tenderloin | Comments
Herbed Onion Tartlets
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I’m having a debate with myself this morning. It’s quite a quandary, I have to say. Read the rest of this entry »
Roasted Mushrooms Stuffed with Feta, Spinach, & Bacon
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Clark: “Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?”
Eddie: “Naw, I’m doing just fine, Clark.” Read the rest of this entry »
Minestrone with Basil & Cheddar Scallion Scones
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I’m going to tell you a secret. (Lean in close, please. I’m whispering.)
I just love soup. Some of you regular readers already knew that (yes, would you believe I have ‘regulars’? and not only my mom!). So I guess it’s not really a secret. Never mind. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: cabbage, kidney beans, soup | Comments
Penne In Country Ragu
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I’m pleased as punch to report to you all that I hit it out of the park with this penne dish last night!
Maybe it was because steaming hot pasta sounded good to my girlies, who were frozen solid after playing outside for an hour or so. Maybe it was because my husband had eaten a light lunch and was extra hungry. Or, maybe it was because No Thank You Boy has been minding his p’s and q’s due to Santa’s impending visit. Read the rest of this entry »
Lasagna Rolls with Two Sauces
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I had a little bit of extra time on my hands yesterday afternoon and was really in the mood for pasta. We had a big fire going, football on TV … my girls were building a gingerbread tree (don’t get excited, it was from a kit), and red sauce was calling my name. I took a peek at the sale ad and whadaya’ know? Most of the ingredients for my favorite lasagna are on special this week! Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: lasagna, parmesan cheese, ricotta, spinach | Comments
Best Ever Chicken Pot Pie
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I was so excited to see snowflakes flying yesterday that I almost couldn’t contain myself! ‘Tis the season … for chicken pot pie! YES! Read the rest of this entry »
Potato Crusted Tilapia
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Dear Turkey,
I think we should take a break. Heaven knows I’ve enjoyed our time together and lovely memories of you will linger on (mostly on my thighs). Fondly I’ll remember you, dressed in rich gravy – you, with creamy mayonnaise and crisp lettuce on toasty nine grain bread – you, in a steamy, homemade broth with thick egg noodles and chunks of carrots. It’s been fun. But it’s time for me to move on. It’s not you, it’s me.
Goodbye doesn’t mean forever,
Leah
Got that off my chest, what a relief. Breaking up is never fun or easy.
As you can tell from my “Dear John” letter, I’ve had just about enough turkey – and I’m sure you’re all on poultry overload by now too! Last night I decided to go the fish route with the tilapia that’s on sale this week. I came across this recipe a few months ago and have been meaning to try it ever since.
It contains an unusual ingredient that I hesitate to reveal. But since I’m soul-searching today, I guess I’ll divulge that this fish is, in fact ‘crusted’ with…
Boxed potato flakes.
I know, I know! Don’t go hatin’! I don’t even know why I have these in my pantry but they’re there. I must have been having a lazy moment a while back and didn’t feel like mashing my own potatoes. Don’t go judging me. It probably won’t happen again.
Anyway, if you do happen to have some boxed potato flakes in your cupboard, and frozen tilapia fillets in your freezer, then chances are, you already have the ingredients on hand to make this dinner! I managed to pull this dish together in under 30 minutes.
I thought it was pretty good, I have to say. The honey-mustard mayonnaise is an interesting alternative to traditional tartar sauce, and the potato flakes create a crunchy coating on the fish. The same procedure could easily be used on any other type of white flaky fish.
Enjoy!
POTATO CRUSTED TILAPIA
Serves: 4
Source: oceana.com
- ½ c. mayonnaise
- 2 T. Dijon mustard
- 1 – 2 T. honey (adjust this according to your taste)
- 4 tilapia fillets, thawed if frozen, patted dry with paper towels
- ½ c. flour, seasoned with salt and pepper
- 2 eggs, beaten
- ½ c. milk
- ½ c. potato flakes
- ½ c. bread crumbs
- Neutral cooking oil
Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
Have handy three shallow bowls or pie plates. Set up a breading station as follows: In one shallow bowl, place the seasoned flour. In another bowl, beat the eggs and the milk together. In a third bowl, combine the potato flakes and the bread crumbs. Line up these bowls near your cook top.
Place a large sauté pan over medium high heat and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. While oil heats up, season the tilapia with salt and pepper to taste. Dredge one fillet in the flour, shaking off excess. Dip the fillet in the egg and milk mixture, then dredge the fillet in the potato flake and bread crumb mixture. Repeat with the remaining fillets. When oil is hot (a pinch of flour will bubble immediately upon contact with the oil), carefully place the fish into the pan. Saute for about 2 minutes; carefully turn fish. Saute for an additional minute or two, or until fish is a lovely golden brown on both sides. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to briefly drain. Serve tilapia with honey-mustard sauce.
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