Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos & E’s Guacamole

I think this is becoming my one of my favorite summer time recipes. It is no secret that E and I enjoy cooking together and as much as I love cooking together sometimes there are too many cooks in the kitchen. This recipe is fantastic as it gives everyone in the kitchen a job to do. We both work on our own separate recipes, but still get to enjoy sharing the space. It can also be made with many different versions. For example, we have added brown rice & black beans, sliced avocado, or guacamole. Tonight we had guacamole, coleslaw, and Tilapia. The recipe seems like a lot of work because of the amount of ingredients, but don’t be fooled, it is another quick 30-minute meal and requires no oven—great for summer!

Spice-Rubbed & Marinated Tilapia

4 tsp. chili powder

2 tbsp. lime juice

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. cumin

1 tsp. onion powder

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

1 lb. Tilapia

Tortillas (we use 5)

Combine chili powder, lime juice, oil, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper into a small bowl. Rub spice marinade all over the fish, place in a plastic bag and let stand for 20-30 minutes.

Coleslaw

*Depending on how saturated you like your dressing will depend on how generous the servings of sour cream & mayonnaise versus the amount of Asian salad you add.

¼-cup light sour cream

¼-cup light mayonnaise

2 “heaping” tbsp. fresh cilantro

Zest of a lime

2 tbsp lime juice

1 tsp. sugar

2/3 tsp. salt

Freshly ground pepper to taste

3 cups ish of shredded cabbage (I just get the cabbage in the bag)

Combine sour cream, mayonnaise, cilantro, lime zest, lime juice, sugar, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl; mix until smooth and creamy.

Add cabbage and toss to combine.

E’s rating

5 out of 5

Yes, we have it at least once a week!

Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos

Adapted from http://www.delish.com/recipefinder/grilled-fish-tacos-recipe-ew0610

Skinny Chicken & Southwestern Black Bean Salad

I have now made this recipe twice in two different ways. The hardest part is the chopping, so it is quick, easy, fresh, & tasty! The first was for a dinner party we went to where we paired it with chips. I got rave reviews from all tasters! Tonight I made the same dish and used it as a topper to compliment a semi-spicy chicken rub. The recipe below is a great amount for the chicken topper, if you want to try this as an appetizer or tasty dip simply double the recipe and it should be enough for four.

Chicken:

Rub with Cayenne Pepper, Chili Pepper, & Smoked Paprika.

Grill for 12-15 minutes ish

Topper Ingredients:

½ can of black beans, rinsed and drained

1-cup corn (if corn is frozen run it under warm water to thaw)

½ tomato, chopped

1 small avocado (I used the same amount for both appetizer and topper)

¼ of a red onion, chopped

1 scallion, chopped

1 juice of a lime or ½ juice of a lemon (I have tried it using both and noticed very little difference)

3 tbsp olive oil

¼ chopped fresh cilantro

Salt (kosher) & pepper to taste

Combine beans, corn, tomato, onion, scallion, cilantro, salt & pepper, lime/lemon juice, & olive oil.

Let Sit in refrigeration for 30 ish minutes (even with this step I was still able to make it a 30 minute meal).

Add avocado prior to serving.

E’s rating:

5 out of 5

Yes, yes, Yes to eating again

Skinny Chicken & Southwestern Black Bean Salad

Adapted from http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/06/southwestern-black-bean-salad.html

Hike 2: Great Sand Dune National Park

Number 30 on our “post marriage to do list,” the Great Sand Dunes could be considered the black sheep in a marvelous natural eco system that includes high mountain peaks, drifting steams, powerful winds (we had 70+ mph winds), and billions of sand molecules.

Nestled at the base of the Sangre De Cristo mountain range, these dunes are unexpected, jaw dropping, and a reminder of just how wild and unpredictable Mother Nature can be. The dunes—considered the tallest in North America—cover 330 square miles and have been built over centuries of mountain erosion, which have been collected by streams and wind and are forever cycling through the dunes as if it were its own living, feeling, breathing life form. 

From a distance the form of the dunes are difficult to distinguish, but once in close proximity, the contours become clear and the size echoes the power and prominence of this eco system. On the edge of the dunes are the love, support, and source of dune system: Medano Creek and Sand Creek. These temporary and temperate sources of water are critical links in the natural system of sand placement, recycling, and moisture in the valley. The seasonal creeks are a testament to the command that water demands and the dunes are tribute to the humbling authority that Mother Nature often demands.

We spent 48 hours exploring the area and soaking up the unique contradiction between sand, mountains, water, and wind. A great experience and an item crossed off the list. Life Is Good.


e&e

Great Sand Dunes and Sangre De Cristo Mountains

Mastering the Art of Hiking in Sand and 70+ mph winds

At the top

#30 See The Sand Dunes (Check)

Whole Wheat Flax & Apple Muffins

¼ c Flax Seed

¾ c White Flour

¾ c Whole Wheat Flour

½ c Sugar

2 tsp. Baking Powder

½ tsp. Salt

1 Beaten Egg

2 Grated Apples

3 tbsp. Vegetable Oil

½ c Milk

¾ c Copped Nuts (pecans)

It was a perfect opportunity to enjoy the rain and cold weather and bake some healthy muffins. They were quick, easy, and pretty tasty.

Typically when I make something (whether it is dinner, a new cookie recipe, etc.) I always ask Eric a series of rating questions to make sure the recipe is (a) Good and (b) worth making again. I should provide a disclaimer that there has only been one recipe so far that Eric did not like so I have a pretty easy judge on my hands! So hopefully (if I remember), I will have the same rating system for any recipe I post.

E’s Rating:

3 out of 5

Yes-to eating it again

e&e

Batter Right Before Entering the Muffin Tin

Whole Wheat Flax & Apple Muffins

Adapted from http://www.hodgsonmill.com/whole-wheat-flax-n-apple-muffins/