Blackened Fish Tacos!

3-4 Tilapia frozen fillets* ( fresh is fine too).

2 Tbsp. each EVOO and melted butter

1 container -8 oz. Fresh Pico de Gallo- I bought mine store bought.

2 cups finely shredded cabbage

2 Tbsp. Blackened seasoning ( a southwestern seasoning can be substituted)

1/2 tsp. each garlic powder,sea salt and black pepper

8 small round flour tortillas (about 7 in.)

1 cup Southwestern Sour Cream *Recipe follows below*

RECIPE

3/4 cup light sour cream (Mexican Crema or creme fresh can be substituted)

1 Tbsp. chili pepper flakes

1 Tbsp. Southwestern seasoning

1 Lime

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Use a 9x13 pan, pour the EVOO into the pan. Place frozen fillets into oiled pan. Brush tops of fish w/ melted butter (this will help the seasonings stick to a frozen fillet). Sprinkle the Blackened seasoning onto fish (be somewhat generous- you'll want lots of flavor), garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste. Bake fish for 25 minutes, remember you want the fish to be easily flaked using a fork. Meanwhile as the fish is cooking make your Southwestern Sour Cream. Mix sour cream with the chili pepper flakes and the southwestern seasoning, cut the lime in half and use the juice out of half and mix into your sour cream mixture- Set aside! Use remaining half of lime to cut into wedges for garnishment for the tacos! When fish is done cut each fillet (lengthwise) and place into warmed tortilla, top with lots of Pico de Gallo, shredded cabbage and Southwestern Sour Cream, squeeze the juice of a lime wedge on it and ENJOY!!

The layers of ingredients on this dish is very simple but it's the layers of Flavor that make is sooo satisfying! Always remember, you can substitute any of the seasonings or even the fish with something else comparable in flavor!- Use what you love! I served this dish with a Blue Cheese and Ranch wedge salad...mmm...!

Until next time :)

Wendy Russell

Down Home Cooking Girl

Blackened Tilapia Fillets and Summer Squash....

Tonights dinner was delicious! I feel so proud when one of my meals comes out the way it was intended to! Light, flaky, buttery and so savory-that is exactly how my baked blackened Tilapia came out tonight! And my summer squash...almost as delicious as the fish! Really the main reason I'm so excited about tonights dinner is because it was also soooo EASY! I will tell you what I did. First I started with frozen Tilapia fillets. I drizzle EVOO over a 9x13 baking pan and about 3 Tbsp. of melted butter (never margarine). I layed the fish into the pan, brushed the fish with remaining melted butter then seasoned. I used Blackened seasoning (out of the bottle), garlic powder, sea salt and black pepper (made by McCormick). I actually just seasoned the top of the fish pretty generously- I usually eyeball the amount. If you want measurements, I would say about a half teaspoon of everything but the salt. I probably used about 3/4 tsp. of salt on 3-4 fillets- sprinkled evenly. I put the oven on at 350 degrees and baked for 25 minutes! From frozen to cook in under 25 minutes! Now that was awesome! The fish was so perfect, still moist, flaky tender and seasoned so yummy! For me, fish is a finicky food to cook. If it's over cooked- it's dry, if it's under cooked-it's kinda just yucky....But when it's cooked perfectly...It's Delicious! You will know when your fish is done by using your fork to see if it flakes easily. Now, the summer squash was simpler than the fish! I drizzled EVOO into my saute pan over medium heat, sliced my yellow summer squash into large bite size bites, through them into my pan and seasoned them with sea salt, seasoned black pepper, garlic powder and 1/2 of a small red onion, sliced. I sauteed them over medium heat for about 10-15 minutes. That was it!! And it was delicious too! Tender yet still a little crisp to them, and almost a sweet and buttery flavor came out!
Well, I hope this inspires you to try cooking with your favorite fish and using maybe some different seasonings than you usually would- you won't be sorry! IF you're still not sure- ASK me - I will help you through it!
Till another great meal,
Wendy Russell
Down Home Cooking Girl

Love to eat, Love to Cook More!!

When you love to eat but love to cook more!

There are few things in life that bring me more pleaser than to cook fantastic flavored food for others to enjoy! There is something so intriguing, so fascinating about watching others (professionals or not) cook and create what they know will be a delicious meal you are about to eat! I think having a "nose" for foods, spices...is a huge part of being a creative cook. I know probably more than half the time when I am searching my pantry and fridge to see what pops out at me to start creating a meal for my family. It is truly fun for me to see one item in the cupboard...then my wheels start turning. I start thinking mmmm...what else would be really good with this item...then I turn to my spice cupboard and HONESTLY the best way to choose spices and seasoning for your foods is to just open up the top and inhale. When you smell a particular seasoning you have to really think about your main ingredient pairing well with what spice you are smelling now! Their will be some you'll know right away and say..oohh no..that definitely would not pair well with this...and then their will be others you'll think...ooohh YES, that will definitely go great with this. You see it's important to let your palate be very open to the many depths of flavor your mouth can experience. There is so much amazing flavored foods out there that many have yet to even try, once! I can only urge you to start really experiencing the joy of amazing flavored foods can bring! Experiment every chance you get. Be Bold. Be Daring. ASK me questions if your not sure about something. I will help you :)

I will be publishing tips, recipes, fresh ideas and demo's periodically on my post! I hope you will join me in being the next creative foodie!

Remember...deeply smell the aroma of your spices and let your mind wonder on what they would pair with so wonderfully!

Thanks ya'll,

Wendy Russell

Down Home Cooking Girl