Fish Tacos!!!

My husband bugged me for months to try fish tacos, but I hesitated because it sounded so.....fishy.  I looked at a couple of recipes on the internet, but none caught my eye (mostly because they all seemed so fatty and unhealthy.)  One day, he opened his Muscle & Fitness magazine (whole other post, I know!!), and said, "We are making these tomorrow!" So, I tried the recipe, tweaked it a little, and now we have a family fave!  I'm going to try not to comment, and just give you the recipe straight.  Here goes:

Ingredients:
6-8 frozen tilapia filets
salt & pepper
1 avacado
1 cup chopped tomatoes
1/4 cup cilantro
1 Tbsp sambol or Sri Racha
1 cup shredded cabbage
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
Flour or whole wheat tortillas

Thaw the fish, and cut into 6 inch pieces.  Salt & pepper, and place in a non-stick baking pan.  Cook for 10-12 minutes in a 350 degree oven.

While the fish is cooking, mix the avacado, tomatoes, cilantro, and Sri Racha.  Blend together until creamy.

Once the fish is cooked, place it on warmed tortillas.  Top with cabbage, spicy guacamole, and sliced onions.  No cheese necessary, but you can add it if you like (along with sour cream or salsa, if you prefer.)  We love these without the added cheese and sour cream.  Oh, so yummy, and healthy too!!

Disclaimer:  The photo is the original photo from the Sept 2011 issue of M & F.  I take horrible food photos, and I ate all the fish tacos before I could even attempt a picture today.  The original recipe (before my tweaking) was from Chef Robert Irvine. Now, you can return to your scheduled programming.

Lazy Italian

Now, before someone gets all offended with me, let me explain.  We have this little restaurant here in Oklahoma City called Zio's.  Not the best restaurant I've ever been too, but it's good.  My husband started taking me there when we were dating.  Oh, the memories!

I found a dish I absolutely loved there.  LOVED.  As in, loved to point that not much would stop me from getting to this dish. 

EXAMPLE:  One night my newlywed husband had gone to the motorcross races with his dad and brother so his mother and I (Yes, we're great friends--that's a whole other story!)decided to go eat something yummy.  We picked Zio's and headed that way.  Unfortunately, while we were headed that way in the right hand lane, a truck in the left hand lane decided to make a hard right turn right into the side of my husband's prized possession--the truck!

The first words out of my mouth, "Kevin's gonna kill me!" Several times. 

After calming down a little, talking with the other driver, and doing paperwork with the policeman; Mom and I got back in the truck.  Amazingly, it was still driveable, and we were still hungry.  So, being less than a mile from the restaurant, off to Zio's we headed again.  The place was busy so we ordered it to go and ate in the truck.  It was still yummy!!

That story should prove the point that I love Artichoke and Spinach Pasta.  I never even thought I could possibly attempt to make it until tonight.  I had chicken, spinach & artichokes--what could go wrong?!  So, I decided to make the version from my kitchen--the lazy way...

First, I sliced the chicken at an angle just like at the restaurant.  Then, I cooked it just until it was done in my favorite skillet.  Zio's grills the chicken, but I have no grilling capabilities without my husband home.

Then, I started on the veggies.  I only had fresh spinach so I steamed it while the chicken was cooking.  (Note to self: Keep a box of frozen spinach on hand for recipes like this.)  Drained it well, and chopped it in my handy-dandy, little-bitty food chopper.  Then, I popped open a can of artichoke hearts, drained them, rinsed them, and chopped them up. 

To the healthy veggies, I added parmesan and mozzarella cheeses.  Kevin says I like everything better with cheese.  (I think he's I'm right.)  A cup of chicken broth and the secret ingredient...


drumroll.......

Philly Cooking Creme.  I cheated--no homemade sauce.  Mixed that all together into a very nasty looking soup.  Added my soupy mixture to the chicken and poured it all over some penne pasta.  I topped it with some fresh, diced tomatoes, and Voila! Homemade Artichoke & Spinach Pasta.  Yummy!