Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Fish Tacos or "What to make when you're just not that into it"



I admit, I am a lazy cook. I like to eat more than I like to cook. I'm a big fan of one ingredient dishes, you know, grilled chicken, rice pilaf and green beans. I can do that. But I have always wished I had at the ready 14 interesting but fast, nutritious meals in my repertoire. In actuality, I have only three that fit the description, fish tacos, the ubiquitous spaghetti and the old standby grilled chicken. I'm not going to even count pizza. These fish tacos are worth sharing, though. We never tire of them because they're always a little different, depending on the type of fish. the condiments available and the tortillas used. I originally read about this in Real Simple years ago, but since I no longer can find the recipe, I call it my own.

Ingredients

Frozen Fish sticks

Tortillas, soft and/or hard( Trader Joes has yummy handmade tortillas)

Grated cheese (cheddar or whatever is on hand)
Store bought tartar sauce
Salsa
Lettuce; leaves or shredded

Optional

Onions minced
Guacamole
Avocados
Lime wedges
Chopped cilantro
Sour cream
Rice (leftover plain, heated with cilantro or flavored...be creative)
Beans

Cook the fish stix.

Make the condiment plate with the cheese, salsa, lettuce, onions, tartar sauce and/or whatever you fancy or have on hand.

Put enough soft flour tortillas for your family on a large ceramic plate and cover with another plate. Microwave on high for about 1 minute for 6 tortillas, adjusting the time for the number of tortillas.

If you are using hard taco shells (or both, which is yummy, but filling) heat them in the oven according to directions.

Assemble at the table.

We recently added TJ's Chimichurra (sp?) rice (that heats up in an instant) to the mix and that was a big success. We'll definitely try that variation again.

If you share your favorite, fast, family friendly recipe with me, I'll send you a pair of beach stones earrings for the effort.
Just leave the recipe and your address in the comments. My goal is 14 and I've got 13 to go, unless you include spaghetti!

Happy eating.

4 comments:

  1. Morrocan Chicken (nom nom, although I'm gonna fall in love with the Fish Tacos)
    Ingredients:
    4 chicken breasts, cut up)
    1-2 tblsp. olive oil
    1 eggplant (peeled and cut into 1" cubes)
    1 yellow, orange or red pepper, cut up
    1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
    2 tblsp. tomatopaste
    2 tblsp. balsamic vinegar
    1 tblsp. turmeric
    3 cut up Roma tomatoes (or for saucier 1 can tomatoes)
    4 sundried tomatoes
    1 tblsp peanut butter
    1 tsp. salt

    Fry up chicken in a bit of olive oil, add eggplant, peppers and chickpeas. Add sundried tomatoes, tomatoes and paste, vinegar, salt and turmeric. Let simmer for 20 min. Add peanut butter and 1 more tablespoon of vinegar to taste. Simmer additional 10 min. Serve with Rice.

    Tina Holden
    tinaholden1@gmail.com

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  2. Thank you Tina, your earrings are on their way! Can't wait to try this! shelly

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  3. Hi Shelly! I was in the polymer clay beach stones class with you a couple weeks ago and have been checking out your blog since.

    I have a recipe for you. We appropriated this from California Pizza Kitchen. Yes it's a pizza but it's a somewhat healthier version.

    Mexican Pizza

    Ingredients:
    1 pizza crust (the Trader Joe's Tabula Rasa are great, Boboli shells will work too)
    1 can refried beans
    1 can black beans
    Cheddar cheese, shredded or grated
    Romaine lettuce
    1-2 ripe tomatoes
    2-3 green onions
    1 green pepper
    Ranch dressing
    Mexican seasoning

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Put pizza shell on baking sheet. Spread refried beans evenly over shell. Sprinkle with mexican seasoning to taste. (Chile and onion powders will also work. Chipotle powder is a great choice too.) Spread black beans in even layer over refried beans. Cover with cheese and bake until cheese is melted.

    While pizza is baking, wash and chop lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pepper.

    When the cheese is melted, remove pizza from oven and layer on the fresh vegetables, starting with the lettuce. Spiral a ribbon of ranch dressing on the top and enjoy.

    Really like your blog. Your before and after pictures of your studio have inspired me to clean and organize mine.

    Cheers,
    Cheree Craze
    cheree.craze@gmail.com

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  4. Hard to believe my organizational skills could inspire anyone. That it inspires you, inspires me....Thanks for the recipe, maybe I'll make it tonight. Send your postal address so I can send you earrings! shelly

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