Ono with Wild Rice and Mixed Green Salad

No picture today, sorry!

This dish was very similar to the tilapia dish earlier this week. All you really need to know is that Ono, is a delightful fish. It's much meatier than tilapia and much lighter than a tuna steak or salmon. My mom and brother had a plate and loved it (they are super picky about fish). So if you see some in the store, give it a try. I just cooked it in salt, pepper and cayenne for about 10 min (it was about an inch thick). I got my Ono from my seafood kit from Madison Taylor Entrees. Their seafood kit comes with a wide array of fish you know and don't know so it is fun to experiment with it. I also love that each portion is individually wrapped and prepared, so I don't have to break down a whole fish.

Bow ties with Broccoli and Ricotta

Bow ties with Broccoli and Ricotta

Side note: It tastes better that the picture looks. 

This was a quick and easy meal without meat. I'm trying to do one vegetarian meal per week. For one reason, it is cheaper. For another, it is healthy. And finally, because meat is harder on your digestive system. I'm giving my body a little break. 

Ingredients: (Serves two)

• 2 cups bow tie pasta
• Broccoli to preference (I did 3 large handfuls from my bag of pre-cut and washed broccoli I prepared yesterday)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 cup Ricotta cheese
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Preparation:

• Cook pasta according to package instructions
• While the pasta is cooking, heat coconut oil in a pan at medium heat
• When the pan is hot, add the broccoli and allow to saute
• When you get a little color on the broccoli, add salt, pepper and water
• Cover with lid and steam the broccoli until done to desired tenderness (I like mine al dente)
• Drain pasta (do not rinse) and salt and pepper to taste (I added a little cayenne for taste, garlic would have been a good choice too.)
• Return pasta to pot and stir in ricotta
• After the noodles are covered in cheese, add the broccoli and combine
• Serve and enjoy

Thai Tilapia with Wild Rice

Thai Tilapia with Wild Rice

I'm calling this dish Thai Tilapia with Wild Rice. Tilapia is a beautifully plain fish. It absorbs flavor like crazy and is friendly for those fearful of fish. (Excuse the consonance) There is this little Thai place back in Sonoma that makes me instantly salivate; E-Saan's Thai off of Sonoma Highway is a must-go! Based on my limited knowledge of Thai cuisine, they use a lot of bright flavors. I love the combination of cilantro, peanuts, lime, carrots, sprouts and noodles. This dish is inspired by the Thai flavors that I love. Lime, coconut oil, cilantro, and curry. 

Thai Tilapia

Ingredients:

• Prep time: 2 min Cook time: 10 min per inch of thickness (for mine, it was about 4-5 min)
• 2 fillets of Tilapia (frozen or fresh) (I got mine from my seafood kit from Madison Taylor Entrees)
• 1 Tbsp of curry powder or turmeric
• 1 Tbsp of finely chopped cilantro
• 1 small lime (the juice)
• 2 tsp of coconut oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

• Preparation:

• Preheat coconut oil in large pan to medium to med-low heat
• This is a quick cook, so if you are making sides, make sure to save the fish until the very end. It takes minutes for these thin fillets
• Place fish into pan and immediately salt and pepper, squeeze lime juice and sprinkle curry powder. (I rubbed the curry powder in a little, but remember you are dealing with a hot pan and oil, so be careful to avoid splatter). 
• Cook the fish one minute on each side, moving the pan to allow the juices to flow over the fish
• Cover it with a lid and poach it for the remaining time
• I turned off the heat and sprinkled the chopped cilantro all over the tilapia and sauce. As soon as I smelled the cilantro, I took the fish off the pan and put on the plate. I split the remaining cilantro and sauce and poured over each fillet. (There isn't much, but hey, it's delicious). 

Wild Rice (MAKE BEFORE THE FISH):

• I weigh my rice on my kitchen scale; I put two parts water to one part rice in my pan (I put a couple dashes of salt and pepper too). I bring it all to a boil and then simmer for 45-50 min. Stir it once or twice during the entire cooking time. Rice is the easiest and hardest thing to cook. Don't lift the lid if you can help it (except to stir). Taste it before you turn off the heat to make sure it tastes done. You can cook a lot and use it for a quick microwave side for later in the week. 

Presentation (please be as creative as you wish):

• I put the fish on the plate (it's really flaky, so be careful, otherwise it becomes fish puzzle pieces)
• Scooped some rice next to it, and poured sauce on fish and rice
• Surrounded the fish and rice with Tequeno's Green Salsa (super addictive and delicious)
• Placed six grape tomatoes in a swish pattern between the fish and rice
• Topped rice with a small sprig of cilantro

Meal Plan for Week of 4/22 through 4/27

I want to go back to cooking ahead for the week. It is a million times easier to eat healthy when you stock the fridge with ready-to-use or almost-ready-to-use foods.

I'm going to cook up 5-8 cups of  brown rice. It is so easy to cook in a large batch. You can save it in a large container, individual containers or whatever your heart desires. I make it with salt, pepper and broth to have a neutral, yet tasteful side dish. I will also bake up some yams for later in the week, and store them in the fridge till I need them. Baking up some chicken breast and a london broil for strips, is an easy way to have ready to go protein for salads or meals through out the week.

Chopping carrots, celery, peppers and other veggies into baggies or tupper ware makes cooking so much faster.

This week, I'm trying to use my meat reserves that we get through Jeff's work, Madison Taylor Entrees. I have lots of delicious portioned-ready to cook meat and fish. The steak is cooked from frozen and the other meats can defrost in the fridge throughout the day. I usually love my crock pot meals, which I prep will I cook the rice and chop veggies. I am going to start planning next weeks crock pot meals.

What are your favorite recipes for the crock pot or easy/quick healthy meals?

Meal Plan for this week:

Monday:

• Breakfast: Protein Shake
• This is my go-to quick breakfast for Jeff and I (this makes two shakes)
• 2c frozen fruit (I used cherries)
• 2 scoops protein powder (I used chocolate)
• 1 frozen banana
• 2c milk
• handful of icecubes
• Instructions: Blend till smooth and serve. Drink soon after making. 
• Lunch: Subway
• I had to wait to go to lunch rather late, so I ate too fast and too much. I got the BBQ chicken sandwich, it was divine. 
• Snack: Nuts (Trio Bar: Cranberry flavored
• Exercise: none
• Dinner: Tilapia with Brown rice and seasonal veg
• Going to the co-op tonight to buy my weekly produce. This place is so amazing. Last time I went I got beautifully ripe avocados for 10 cents a piece. (Harmon's here in Utah was selling them 4 for $5) My budget goal is $20 for Jeff and I. 
• Hoping to get
• Spinach, arugula and spring mix
• Tomatoes and avocados
• Celery and carrots
• Herbs
• Limes and Lemons
• Seasonal fruits and veggies
• Onion, Shallots, and mushrooms
• Yams and potatoes

Tuesday

• Breakfast: Fruit and lara bar
• Lunch: Sandwich or salad
• Snack: String cheese
• Exercise: Power 90 or Zumba video
• Dinner: Bowties with broccoli and ricotta

Wednesday

• Breakfast: Protein Shake
• Lunch: Leftovers
• Snack: Jerky
• Exercise: Walk with Kelly
• Dinner: Balsamic Chicken with Yam and seasonal veg

Thursday

• Breakfast: Sausage Muffin
• Lunch: Tuna Sandwich/Wrap or Salad
• Snack: String Cheese
• Exercise: 100 sit-ups
• Dinner: Steak Fajitas with Brown rice and beans

Friday

• Breakfast: Protein Shake
• Lunch: Turkey Sliders
• Snack: Nuts
• Exercise: Power 90 
• Dinner: Out

Saturday

• Breakfast: Omlette with mushroom and spinach
• Lunch: Left overs
• Snack: Jerky
• Exercise: Walk or hike
• Dinner: Ono with rice and seasonal veg

Sunday

• Breakfast: Brunch
• Lunch: Brunch
• Snack: Cheese
• Exercise: 100 sit-ups
• Dinner: Pork with apples and potatoes

Southwest Chicken in Baked Tortilla Bowls

Sorry for the distracting background. 

I love making crock-pot meals. They are easy and almost effortless on busy mornings to just throw in the crock-pot. I've made Southwest Chicken (courtesy of Ring Around the Rosies' Jaima) a couple times. I've done it over brown rice, I've done it in quesadillas, but this way is my favorite.

Follow the recipe for Southwest chicken.
When you are ready to eat, grab your Perfect Tortilla Bowl Maker (Yes the informmercial ones) throw in some tortillas and bake at 400 for 5-7 min. I used whole wheat, because Jeff and I are attempting to eat better. While that was baking to crispy-crunchy goodness, I heated up some brown rice from earlier in the week.

I slapped the tortilla bowls on some plates, put about 1/3c of brown rice in the bottom, added a large scoop of Southwest Chicken, and topped with some fresh chopped Roma tomatoes, sour cream, avocado, and this delicious green salsa I found at the Community Co-Op.
It was delicious, quick and almost elegant. It took me less then 20 min to serve up. I was skeptical of those tortilla pans, but they are amazing. Thanks Mom, for a thoughtful Christmas gift!

Introduction

Rocking a Veggie Tray for a Dance!

Journal keeping, blogging, pretty much anything that requires ritual observance with perfect consistency is my weakness. I have an issue. I find passion and so many different arenas that I can't focus on any singular interest. Drawing, crafting, cooking, jewelry making, sculpting, decorating, reading, language learning, etc. I start but never finish. Life is finite, but our passions shouldn't be. Rather than beating myself up over being a repeat quitter. I'm going to use this blog to post all of my culinary and semi-culinary creations, adaptations and recreations. I find few things more satisfying than giving someone a food memory. I love seeing people close their eyes memorizing a taste. I love seeing someone taking seconds that rarely eats more than a rabbit. I love seeing picky eaters expand their list of acceptable food items. Wish me luck and help me along my way.