Monday, February 21, 2011

PRESIDENT'S DAY - SO NICE TO SPEND IT WITH FAMILY

Tell me something - just leave a comment or email me! How can one man feel all the same emotions for four women and "feel like I could be a part of this family!" for each one?? The Bachelor was on and Travis and I got tickled at that Brad guy and his very same emotions about four different women. I know they are suppose to keep their feelings a secret -- but really - couldn't he come up with something a little more original! I guessed it - I believe the only sincere thing on the entire show was his discomfort with the funeral home experience - and I definitely could relate. And - yes - he let her go! so dumb - so why did I watch? I was cooking and there was not much else to do! Speaking of cooking:

I cooked a very good (according to Travis) dinner tonight and it was HEALTHY! I need to do more of those - we all do! So here is one for you!

THE MENU

Pan Grilled Catfish
Mango Salsa
Cold Slaw with Jalapeno Ranch dressing
Baked Sweet potato fries
Hominy with Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Baked Jalapeno Hushpuppies

PAN GRILLED CATFISH

Fresh Catfish fillets (I did three - you do however many you need)
1/2 lime, squeezed
2 Tablespoons Olive oil (I used a great one from Texas Olive Ranch called Rattlesnake Olive Oil -- has some red pepper flakes in it)
Black pepper
Lemon pepper (I used Penzey's and it is wonderful)
Garlic sprinkle (whatever you have that has garlic as the predominant ingredient - I used Penzey's "Salad Sprinkle.")

Rub each side with olive oil and then squeeze lime on each each one. Sprinkle liberally with Lemon Pepper, Black pepper, and garlic.

Get Grilling pan and press very hot, spray each one with cooking spray, place fish in pan and top with press. Cook about 4 to 5 minutes and turn the fish over. Cook another 3 to 4 minutes until fish is flaky. Remove to plate.
Before serving - top with Mango Salsa.

I know I make a good Mango Salsa - more for dipping chips into - so I bought a small container at Brookshires and added only about 1/4 tsp. finely chopped jalapeno to it.

COLD SLAW WITH JALAPENO RANCH DRESSING

FOR THREE:

2 Cups 3 Color Deli Cold Slaw (from bag at Brookshires) Contains - green cabbage, carrots, and red cabbage)
1/4 cup Light Ranch dressing
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 Tablespoons chopped jalapenos (divided use)
2 Tablespoon fresh lime juice
Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Combine slaw mix, onion and 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno. Then combine Ranch dressing, other tablespoon jalapeno, lime juice, and salt and pepper.Stir well. Sprinkle a little more pepper on slaw mix and then pour dressing over slaw and toss.

Now for the hardest of all:

Hominy with Fresh Ground Black pepper

1 Can (for family of 3) Yellow Hominy
Several sprinkles of black pepper (I love Penzey's Fresh Ground)
Bring to a boil in small saucepan - turn down to low and allow to cook for several minutes - careful to not let cook dry. Wow! NOW IF YOUR FAMILY DOES NOT LIKE HOMINY -- GIVE THEM A DIFFERENT VARIETY OF CORN - EITHER A CAN OF WHOLE KERNEL CORN OR BOILED CORN ON THE COB!!!)


Oh - and I found some very good hushpuppies -- they are Savannah Classics -- and they have about three varieties and if you know me at all - you would know I would choose the Jalapeno ones -- but they also had "Sweet Corn" Hushpuppies that really sounded good too. Now as much as I love to make food "From Scratch" - I am not so dumb that I can't recognize some things that are as good or even better than I could make at home. Hushpuppies are one of them. And they were to be baked - another plus! Also - again - when you find something already prepared that wears you out - like peeling and trying to properly slice sweet potatoes - I will choose the frozen ones for fries every time. I've already told you how to do them. DRIZZLE - SEASON - AND BAKE!!

All in all - it was a good healthy meal! Just sorry I didn't get time to make the Cheddar-Jalapeno Bread - but another day - another opportunity.

This morning I had a surprise - but a nice one! My cousin, Robert (on my Mother's side) called me. He sends me lots of great things I share with you! He was on his way to Shreveport to preside at a funeral of another cousin's father-in-law. Life has always consumed both of us and we had never stayed in touch - but at a birthday party for his sister we met again, and it has been very rewarding to get to know him better and hear about his family and life. Thanks for the call, Bob!

Today my sister, Michelle, and Maura found a really neat shop between Gresham and Flint. It is "Peek A Boutique!" I had seen it many times but never stopped, but today we did. It is an amazing little shop with really popular things, like "Miss Me" jeans" and fabulous jewelry created by the owner, Karen Davis. Believe it or not - I tried on a braclet that has been created for Miranda Lambert. I won't reveal what it looked like - but just say - it and it's matching necklace was so fabulous - actually over the top!!! If you've not been there you can check it out at www.peekaboutiquekaren.com.

Tomorrow night I want to tell you about a great series of 3 tapes that can change your life if you will allow it to. No - I am not selling -- just sharing something I watched a few weeks ago in a ladies Wednesday night class and was so taken by it that I ordered my own copy!

Have a great evening -- hope you had a great and useful day. God Bless each of you!

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