Fish Tacos

I can't believe I have never posted this recipe before. I make fish tacos ALL the time. It's a go-to recipe because we usually have everything on hand.  I searched my blog and can't find a post on it. Maybe I am mistaken, so sorry if this has been posted before. This is an incredibly basic and easy recipe. I don't know exact amounts because I just wing it every time, but here is a general recipe. Just go with it! I promise, you'll love it!

 

Fish Tacos

Serves 2

Ingredients:

2-3 frozen tilapia filets

Cajun seasoning

olive oil

tortillas

cilantro

1 fresh jalapeno sliced or chopped

shredded coleslaw or purple cabbage (or lettuce)

paprika

salt

shredded Mexican blend cheese

lime wedges

 

Directions:

Thaw tilapia according to package if frozen. Sprinkle each side with Cajun seasoning. Pan fry for a few minutes on each side in a pan with olive oil. Cut into small pieces.

 

Combine a cup of coleslaw, chopped cilantro, and chopped jalapenos in a bowl. Sprinkle with paprika and salt.  

 

Fill tortilla with fish, cole slaw mix, cheese, chopped tomatoes, and squeeze a lime on top.

 

Also great with ranch or sriracha sauce.

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chewy M&M Cookie Bars

I've made these cookies bars so many times I had to check my blog archives to see if I had posted the recipe before. These are soooo good! It's become my favorite recipe to make for crowds. Just grab a bag of M&M's and you should have everything else in your pantry! I first made these around Thanksgiving and used the fall colored M&M's. That's what's nice about M&M recipes you always have a go-to for holidays! I searched all over for a bag of green M&M's for St. Patty's day, but they don't make them. I ended up having to buy the expensive ones from the party store.

Chewy M&M Cookie Bars
Orignal recipe from Fantastic Family Favorites
Ingredients: 
2 1/8 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 sticks of butter melted and then cooled slightly (be sure to do this)
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 white sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk
2 tsps vanilla
1 (12oz) bag of M&M's divided

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a 9x13" pan with foil letting the excess hang over the edges, so you can grab the edges and pull the bars from the pan once they have baked. Spray the foil lined pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Melt butter in a medium bowl. In another bowl mix flour, salt, and baking soda. Whisk sugars in butter bowl. Add eggs, vanilla and mix well. Fold in dry ingredients. Do not over mix. Fold in 1 cup of M&M's. Save the rest for later.

Smooth the batter into the pan. Sprinkle remaining M&M's on top and slightly press in with spatula.

Bake for 24-28. (Mine took 35 minutes) The top should be golden brown on top.

Remove the bars from the pan by pulling the foil, cut and serve.

Enjoy! 

Pasta with Vodka Sauce

This is one of if not the first recipe my mother in law gave me as one of Dan's favorites. I make it here and there when there is vodka to spare, which isn't that often. Not to worry, the alcohol cooks out so you can make this for the kiddos, use mild Ro-tel or just a can of diced tomatoes to cut down the heat.

Pasta with Vodka Sauce

Ingredients:
1 box of penne or your favorite pasta
1 jar of tomato sauce
1 can Ro-tel
1/2 c. cream
1/4 c. vodka

Directions: 
Prepare Pasta according to directions on the box. In a small sauce pan mix remaining ingredients over medium heat until boiling. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered. Serve over pasta.

Enjoy!!


*Notes
1. This makes more than enough for 2 people. You will have leftovers, or you can cut the recipe down.
2.  I have used 1/2 and 1/2 instead of cream before and it turns out just fine.
3. You may use mild, medium, or hot Ro-tel depending on your preference.
4. The original recipe does not call for meat, but I usually add Italian sausage.

Turkey Sausage and Tri Color Peppers

This is a simple recipe that's healthy and REALLY tasty! I started making this a few months ago and make it every other week! Turkey Sausage is really good and much better for you. I usually use Jennie O Italian Turkey Sausage, Hot Italian or even Bratwurst.

Turkey Sausage and Tri-Color Peppers

Ingredients:
Turkey Sausage links
sliced Onion
sliced yellow bell pepper
sliced red bell pepper
sliced green bell pepper
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 Garlic clove minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/4 tsp oregano

Directions:
Remove casing from sausage links. Cut sausage into small pieces and brown on medium high heat until fully cooked. Add remaining ingredients and saute until liquor is evaporated and vegetables are done.

You can eat this plain or you can have it over pasta or rice. I typically do not use a full onion or full peppers for only 2 people.

Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork

Do you follow The Pioneer Woman? Well, you definitely should! She has great recipes and witty stories! I made this recipe last week and it was awfully tasty! I changed a few things. Here's Pioneer Woman's recipe and then mine. Only major difference is that I made it in the crock pot.

Spicy Dr. Pepper Shredded Pork
 Ingredients-
- 1 whole large onion
- Pork Butt (shoulder) I used 3-5lbs and that was enough for 3 (2 person) meals. Maybe more.
- Salt and Pepper
- 2 cans (7oz) of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 2 cans of Dr. Pepper

Directions-
Cut onion down center. Cut in half again. Place quarters of onion in bottom of crock pot. Throw in your butt. Salt and Pepper to taste. Add Chipotle Peppers and Dr. Pepper. Cook on low all day. Open lid and shred with fork. Serve on tortillas or buns.

**Notes- Pioneer woman uses 1 can (11oz) peppers. I couldn't find that so I used 2 cans and it was REALLY spicy. I would recommend just one can unless you can handle the heat, like I can. Pioneer Woman also rotates her pork, so I did that once too but I don't think it's necessary.

Calzone

I made a calzone yesterday with the leftovers from lasagna the night before. As I've mentioned before we like everything spicy, so we used spicy sauce, hot Italian sausage, spicy pepperoni and jalapenos. But you can really use anything! I usually don't put the sauce in the bread and use it as a dip instead, but we had the leftover meat mixture from the night before.

Easy Calzone Recipe

Ingredients:
French Bread Dough
Marinara Sauce
Shredded Cheese
Toppings of your choice

Directions:
1. Preheat oven based off the directions on the French Bread
2. Cover cookie sheet with foil so you don't have to wash it afterward
3. Roll out dough. No need for rolling pin.
4. layer toppings
5. fold over dough
6. cut slits in dough
7. bake according to package
8. Eat and Enjoy!