grains – Page 3 – Fun Foodie Family

I have heard some people say they don’t like cooking fish because they think it will stink up the house. They think it is hard to make. Well, I am here to prove them wrong. It couldn’t be easier and the house smells amazing. I also made a spinach and basil pesto to go with the fish. It matched perfectly. There were no leftovers…

Pan fried Tilapia

Ingredients
2-3 filets of tilapia cut in half
2 cups of flour
salt and pepper to taste
a couple tablespoons of oil AND butter

Directions
Sprinkle both sides of fish with salt and pepper; coat in flour. In large skillet, heat oil and butter over medium-high heat; fry fish in batches, turning once, until golden and fish flakes easily when tested, 4 to 5 minutes.

Spinach Basil Pesto

Directions- Mix the following ingredients in a food processor and stream in olive oil to make smooth and creamy;
1/2 container of pine nuts
1 handful of both spinach and basil
1/2 container of parmesan cheese
2 cloves of garlic
salt and pepper to taste

Cauliflower Gratin

Ingredients

1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
Sea Salt and Pepper
3 tbl butter
2 tbl flour
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
2 cups of shredded cheese- I used mild cheddar and colby jack

Directions

Place cauliflower on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Generously salt and pepper your veggies. Toss and cover well all pieces with olive oil or cooking spray. Place in preheated 425 degree oven for 20 minutes. Turn to broil for the last 5 minutes to get the pieces golden brown. Meanwhile, prepare the sauce. Over medium heat, melt the butter in a large skillet. Add in the flour, stirring to make a paste. Continue stirring for about 5 minutes. Slowly add in heavy cream stirring and blending. Do the same with the milk. Reduce heat to low and add the cheeses a little bit at a time, stirring and allowing it all to melt. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Place roasted cauliflower in a large mixing bowl. Add creamy cheese mixture and blend well. Pour into a cast iron skillet and add more shredded cheese to the top. Bake for 20 minutes in a preheated 425 degree oven or until the top is golden brown.

Oh, and we had a side of couscous. That is always a hit. =) Hope you have a great week!

Date Night. I love being able to spend time with my husband on date night, but it can be costly. So tonight we made a pact. Date night will take place at least every other week. I will cook a meal he wants, and we will eat at home. By saving money going out, we get to eat at a fancy or hip place every month or so. Sounds like a great plan, right? I will blog about date night each time. It will usually be Friday night, but it may be some Saturdays instead. I am pumped!!!

Steak Kabobs- We went to the local butcher shop and got these already made. They would not be too difficult to make myself, but, hey, date night needs to have a few shortcuts, right? Steak chunks and cut peppers and onions. I cooked for 2 1/2 minutes on each side. Then I took off the heat and turned a few times in the hot pan. Then I took them out and let them rest for 10 minutes. PERFECTION!

Wine for Date Night:

Twice Baked Potato:
Cook the potatoes (3 large, 6 small) in a 400 oven in aluminum foil about 45 minutes. Cook about 4 pieces of bacon. Once your potatoes have cooled, take out the potato filling leaving the skins. Mix in 2 tablespoons of butter, 3 tablespoons of sour cream, and all your chopped bacon. Spoon into skins. Add shredded mild cheddar on top. Put back in a 350 oven for about 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted all over the top.