Crunchy Oven Tilapia

This is probably my favorite recipe for tilapia.  It's very easy to prepare and tastes better than fried fish in my opinion.  Bobby and Luke love this recipe as well.  It also looks really impressive although the picture below doesn't really do it justice.  I was so ready to dive in to a piece of this fish that I didn't take the time to get a really good photo.

Ingredients

1 lb. fresh tilapia fillets
2 egg, beaten
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 cups panko bread crumbs
2 tablespoons cold butter

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray generously with olive oil or non-stick cooking spay.
Mix together flour seasoned salt, Old Bay Seasoning and pepper in a shallow bowl. Place beaten eggs in a separate shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. One at a time dip the fish fillets in the flour mixture, then in then beaten eggs (allowing the egg to drip off), and then in the bread crumbs being careful to coat well with the bread crumbs.

Arrange fish on baking sheet and spray tops with olive oil.  Cut butter into small cubes and evenly arrange on top of the fish..  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until fish is golden brown. Enjoy!

My morning contemplation

I'm at a conference in New Orleans this week which is a nice break from the ordinary grind of being in the office.  As is always the case at these events, I went to dinner last night with a small group of co-workers and friends.  As is always the case at these dinners, everyone ordered drinks except me.  We ate at an eclectic New Orleans style restaurant.  Dinner was pleasant.  As is always the case, after dinner I headed back to the hotel along with the older people who don't enjoy the New Orleans night life.  The rest of our party headed to Bourbon street for a night of bar hopping that probably lasted well into the morning.  As is always the case, I woke up feeling perky after a nice rest last night and I will show up on time to my conference this morning looking resplendent and well rested.  My co-workers and friends on the other hand will crawl in late and look as if they were run over by a truck last night.

When I first started my job and was a bit younger I always felt like such a stick in the mud at these events and I always worried that my co-workers, friends, and clients thought that I was a stiff, holy roller who never had fun.  I had no desire to participate in their "fun" but at the same time I felt so left out and different.  I was contemplating on this matter this morning while I was getting ready for another day of the conference.  I realized that I must have matured some since I first started this job because I realized that this situation doesn't bother me like it used to.  Don't get me wrong, I still feel uncomfortable when I am in this type of situation, but I don't worry so much what others think of me.  I know that all that matters is what God thinks of me and I hope that my lifestyle can be a witness to those who don't know Him.  Please note that I am not looking down on anyone, but I feel that God has called me as a Christian to a different standard. 

I realize that I may be a bump on a log sometimes, but I like this log that I'm sitting on and I am so thankful that God has given me a wonderful and supportive bump (Bobby) to sit next to. 

Crispy Oven Onion Rings

You have to make this recipe as soon as possible.  Amen.

I love onion rings, but I hate the process of frying food... not to mention how unhealthy fried food it.  My solution: a healthier, non-fried onion ring recipe.  These delectable onion rings are baked instead of fried yet so crunchy and tasty that you will never miss the fried version. 



Ingredients

1 large sweet onion

2 egg, beaten

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

1 1/2 cups panko bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray generously with olive oil or non-stick cooking spay.  Peel onion and slice into rings. 

Mix together flour seasoned salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.  Place beaten eggs in a separate shallow bowl.  Place bread crumbs in another shallow bowl.  One at a time dip onion rings in flour mixture, then in beaten eggs, then in bread crumbs.

Arrange onion rings on baking sheet in a single layer.  Bake for 20 minutes, turning after first 10 minutes.  Enjoy!

Skillet Shrimp Scampi

I like shrimp cooked many ways, but my very favorite has to be shrimp scampi (followed very closely by coconut shrimp).  I mean let's be honest here, who doesn't love shrimp floating in a yummy butter garlic sauce?  This is an easy recipe for shrimp scampi that is easy to make and has loads of flavor.  Try it, you'll be glad you did.

Ingredients
1/2 sweet onion, minced very fine
3 large garlic cloves, crushed or minced
3 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup white wine
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 375.  Heat 1 tablespoon of the butter in a medium oven safe skillet over medium heat. Add onions and saute 3 to 4 minutes until clear and tender.  Add garlic and saute 1 additional minute.  Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter, wine, salt, and pepper.  Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until liquid has reduced just slightly.  Add shrimp and toss to coat.  Sprinkle with cheese and immediately place in oven.  Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until cheese is melted and shrimp are white.  Enjoy!

Note: if you don't have an oven safe skillet then just use what you have and transfer shrimp to an oven safe dish before placing in the oven.

Super Simple Sausage and Spinach Soup

This is a great quick and healthy soup to serve on a cold winter day.  The ingredients are so basic and it only takes about 30 minutes from start to finish.  The soup is packed with flavor yet it is really light and healthy.  Top it with fresh grated parmesan cheese and serve with hot yeast rolls and it can't be beat.  This is a must try recipe.



Ingredients

1 lb. lean turkey sausage

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 medium onion. finely chopped

1 clove garlic, crushed or minced

6 cups chicken broth

1 can great northern beans (or other white bean), rinsed and drained

1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

4 cups chopped fresh spinach

Grated parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

Heat olive oil over medium high heat in a large pot.  Add sausage and cook until browned, chopping into chunks with a spatula while cooking.  Stir in onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until onions are clear and tender.  Add garlic and cook for an additional 1 minute.  Stir in chicken broth, beans, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.  Bring to a boil.  Add chopped spinach, reduce heat to medium low and allow to simmer for 5 minutes until spinach is tender.  Garnish with parmesan cheese.

Ginger's Cheesy Roasted Veggies

My sweet mother-in-law Ginger makes these terrific roasted veggies and she has our whole family hooked on them.  The recipe is super quick and easy and the ingredients are things you typically have on hand, which to me equals a perfect recipe!  Even the little ones will enjoy these veggies.  Luke gobbles them up faster than I can cut them up and put them on his plate.  He loves anything smothered in cheese.  So do I.

Ingredients
2 16-oz bags frozen mixed veggies (the broccoli, cauliflower, carrot blend)
1/2 teaspoon italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon dried minced onions
1 1/2 cups grated fresh parmesan cheese
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Steam or boil veggies in a large pot for 6-10 minutes until firm-tender (not mushy).  Place veggies in a large bowl and add all seasoning.  Toss veggies until evenly coated with seasonings.  Add 1 1/4 cups of parmesan cheese and toss with veggies.  Spray a medium baking pan with olive oil.  Spread veggies evenly in pan and top with mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/4 cup parmesan cheese.  Place in oven and bake 20-30 minutes or until cheese is slightly browned on top.

Where is Luke?

I know it's been a while.  I have no excuses. 

Here a cute video of Luke's new favorite game.  He closes himself in the cabinet and pops out now and then.  He thinks it is great fun!  Yes, that is an iron skillet he is sitting in... if only I could get him to organize my pots and pans while he is in there.