Tag Archives: oil

Blackened Fish Tacos with Chipotle Cilantro Dressing (salmon or cod or whichever fish you want)

Finally, this post is done. I still consider myself a beginner food blogger even though this blog has recently had it’s 3rd anniversary. Blogging recipes takes work. Writing an accurate recipe takes work. It’s work but it’s work I enjoy. I just wish I could do nothing but cook, take pics, and blog… Haha True story.


Been talking about these a lot, I know, I apologize for the redundancy. Finally got all the components together….

You’re going to need to check out my last 2 posts!

Click this photo to get this recipe!

Click on the photo to the left to get this yummy Chipotle Cilantro Dressing recipe for these Blackened Fish Tacos that we’re about to make.

Click this photo to get this recipe!

Click this photo to see the ingredients needed to make the Blackened Seasoning that will crispify (is that a word?)the fish to a nice golden crunch on the outside and give it a deep savory flavour.



BLACKENED FISH TACOS
♥ 2 BAGS COLESLAW
♥ 1½ C. CORN KERNELS
♥ SALT + PEPPER
♥ FLOUR TORTILLAS
♥ 1 BIG SALMON FILET or 4 LARGE COD FILETS
♥ HIGH SMOKE POINT OIL FOR FRYING (i used Canola Oil)
1 BATCH OF BLACKENED SEASONING
1 BATCH OF CHIPOTLE CILANTRO DRESSING
♥ AVOCADO, FRESH, CHOPPED
♥ CILANTRO + LIME FOR GARNISH

Saute the coleslaw and corn with salt and pepper until just tender.
Set aside, but keep warm.
Heat oven to low temp and slowly warm the tortillas. I like em just before they get toasted.
Cut salmon or fish into large pieces suitable for frying.
Heat oil, just above medium, not too hot or the fish won’t cook thoroughly and not too cold or the fish will soak up to much oil and become soggy.
Fry till dark and golden on each side.
If you’re using salmon you may have to do the ends too. Use tongs. They work best.
When they are done gently remove from hot oil onto a papertowel lined dish to remove excess oil.
Let cool for about 5 minutes and break into good chunks.

THE ASSEMBLY
Warmed Tortilla
Sauteed slaw and corn
Blackened fish
Drizzle with some Chipotle Cilantro Dressing
Top with chopped fresh avocado, cilantro and a squeeze of fresh lime juice


Place the Blackened Seasoning in a shallow flat bottom container of some sort so you can press the fish into it.  Coating every inch of it.  The better it’s coated the better the crisp.

You don’t want to over cook the cabbage, or it will lose all it’s structure.  You want to saute it till it just starts to wilt.  Keeping it warm will also allow it to keep cooking so with the pan on medium heat, just keep an eye on it.
This is the cod I used last night.  Seasoned all over every surface of fish with the Blackened Seasoning.

Fried in some oil till golden and delicious. I use a large cast iron flat bottom deep dish for frying. Allows maximum room for the fish to fry properly without over crowding the pan.   The heavy duty cast iron can withstand the high temperatures and will maintain it’s heat better when you drop in the fish.

I fried the fish in 2 batches to ensure it cooked evenly and properly. Or you can use a deep fryer but I’ve only used one once and I didn’t like it…. it was too small for what I needed and I don’t want a big greasy appliance kicking around here. I fry as little as possible.
Frying foods took a lot of practice for me over the years.  So many times chicken or potatoes or whatever it was I was cooking, was either undercooked or well well well done. Practice makes perfect.

Frying can be very unhealthy if done incorrectly.  When done the right way you are using the least amount of oil to get that desired crunch and crispiness.

✰ Oil thats too hot will scortch the food on the outside while leaving it raw inside. ✰

✰ Oil that isn’t hot enough won’t seal the food as it should when you drop it in. ✰

(Rather it will sit and soak up the oil.  This results in that drippy soggy mess we’ve gagged on one too many times.

The first time I made these I used some fresh plump salmon and they were to die for! This time around i used cod. I preferred the salmon over any white fish but both were really good.


BLACKENED SALMON TACOS

Here are some pics from the salmon ones I made last week!  These ones were my favourite!

Since the photos were taken down in my temporary basement dungeon kitchen they aren’t of the greatest quality.  We can only go up from here my friends ☺

1603

❤️ Thanks for visiting, if you liked this blog please click LIKE below. If you want to follow my blog please scroll to the bottom, click the FOLLOW button and enter in your email address.
Love Haleykins❤️
**Please click “OLDER POSTS” button, (bottom of the page)
or the “COOKING WITH HAY” tab (top of the page) to see more**
Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Marianne’s Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing

While Hubby and I were back home for the holidays, we got to experience my Mom’s Caesar Salad. It’s just so perfectly good and I ate a lot of it.
I made my Mozzarella Stuffed Meatballs yesterday and completely forgot to make a Caesar Salad…. The balls were just that good I guess.
Tonight we do salad! I add fresh sliced mushrooms to mine to give it a bit more substance… Sometimes I add cucumbers too.
20131231-221315.jpg
Marianne’s Homemade Caesar Salad Dressing
1 egg
Dash or 2 of Worcester Sauce
1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic, grated or more
2 Tsp anchovies paste or more
Dash of sugar
Salt & Pepper
1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Blend and chill. I actually put it all in a jar and shook the shit out of it. Then passed the jar to Hubby and he shook the shit out of it.

Rub the bowl with garlic.
Rip up some fresh romaine leaves
Add sliced fresh mushrooms
Add your own mixed bread croutons
Add fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Taste it and adjust to your liking
Toss with the dressing when it’s time to serve. It will go slightly soggy if you don’t wait.
20131231-213407.jpg
I hope you enjoy this as much as we do! PS, it’s not too strong in flavor, it’s just right, so not to worry you won’t offend your guests with bad breath. Ok well maybe a little. It’s totally worth it! Maybe set up a side dish of Brush Strips! LOL

Thanks for visiting, if you liked this blog please click LIKE below.
If you want to follow my blog please scroll to the bottom, click the FOLLOW button and enter in your email address.

Love Haleykins
20131230-210222.jpg

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Crunchy Fiesta Chicken Wraps

Mexico, oh how I miss Mexico. It does not seem like we were there in Feb/Mar, but we were. Forever ago. I love that place, the sights, the sand, the seas, the people and of course, the food. We have done all inclusive in Mexico and we have gone to local restaurants out on the town. Please take my advice and DON’T do all inclusive. Enjoy the real food, the fresh food, the food that is cooked when it’s needed not cooked, shipped, stored, reheated, put out in the buffet and then with whats left it gets reheated….. And well,you get where I’m going with this, right.

Last time I was at the grocery store I picked up some wraps, thinking it had been far too long since we had something of this variety. That was a few days ago and those wraps sat untouched, on the counter, whispering to me.

As I had mentioned in a past post, similar to this one, wraps just make everything that extra bit more awesomesauce. As well there was rice in the fridge from the Butter Chicken recipe I made the other night. Seemed like a win win. Plus, a slow cooker is a dream. It does the the work and makes for super yummy-licious juicy shredded chicken!!!

Hubby likes foods that are juicy and yet still crunchy, I look forward to his reaction with this one. I intend to fulfill both. LOL

20130923-224837.jpg

CRUNCHY FIESTA CHICKEN WRAPS

INGREDIENTS:
4 LARGE CHICKEN BREASTS (boneless, skinless)
1/2 ONION, FINE DICED
1 SMALL CAN ZESTY ROTEL TOMATO SAUCE (tomatoes & green chilies)
3-4 TABLESPOONS HOT SAUCE (Franks, Sriracha, Habanero – adjust to your taste, start with less then add more)
1 TEASPOON SALT
2 TEASPOONS CUMIN
1+1/2 TEASPOON CHILI POWDER
1 PREMADE HOMEMADE GARLIC BALL, or 4 cloves, minced
1/4 CUP RED PEPPER, DICED
1/4 CUP BLACK BEANS (rinsed & drained)
1/4 CUP CORN, (drained)
2 CUPS GRATED CHEDDAR CHEESE
1 CUP SOUR CREAM
2 CUPS RICE, COOKED
8-10 FLOUR TORTILLAS (wraps)
2 TABLESPOONS OIL
CILANTRO & HOT SAUCE FOR GARNISH

DIRECTIONS:
Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker
Toss in the onions
Add the Zesty Rotel Tomato Sauce
Then add the hot sauce of your choosing
Add in the salt, cumin, chili powder and garlic
I cooked this on high in my slow cooker for 4 hours
Stirring once or twice
At the 3:30 hour mark, shred the chicken with 2 forks and let it continue to cook

ASSEMBLY:
Mix shredded chicken, rice, beans, corn,and peppers in a separate bowl, set aside
Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium heat
Sprinkle cheese on the tortillas and add the sour cream
Spoon on the chicken & rice mixture down the center of the tortilla
Add a squirt of hot sauce if you so choose
Roll em up
Place 2 assembled wraps, seam side down in the hot oiled pan
Flip them when golden brown and slightly crunchy on the bottom, they only need a few minutes
Let them rest on a cutting board for about 3-4 minutes.
Slice in half and garnish with cilantro and hot sauce

HERE’S HOW IT ALL WENT DOWN:
20130923-224137.jpg
Place chicken breasts in the bottom of your slow cooker
Toss in the onions
20130923-224145.jpg
Add the Zesty Rotel Tomato Sauce
20130923-225054.jpg
Then add the hot sauce of your choosing
20130923-224224.jpg
20130923-224230.jpg
Add in the salt, cumin, chili powder and garlic
20130923-224511.jpg
I cooked this on high in my slow cooker for 4 hours
Stirring once or twice
20130923-224538.jpg
At the 3:30 hour mark, shred the chicken with 2 forks and let it continue to cook
20130923-224241.jpg
20130923-224340.jpg
20130923-224417.jpg
20130923-224424.jpg
20130923-234948.jpg
20130923-224524.jpg
20130923-224530.jpg
20130923-224543.jpg
20130923-224549.jpg
Mix shredded chicken, rice, beans, corn,and peppers in a separate bowl, set aside
20130923-224559.jpg
Sprinkle cheese on the tortillas and add the sour cream
20130923-224606.jpg
Spoon on the chicken & rice mixture down the center of the tortilla
Add a squirt of hot sauce if you so choose
Roll em up
Place 2 assembled wraps, seam side down in the hot oiled pan
20130923-224611.jpg
Flip them when golden brown and slightly crunchy on the bottom, they only need a few minutes
20130923-224724.jpg
Oh my goodness! YUMMY
Let them rest on a cutting board for about 3-4 minutes.
Slice in half and garnish with cilantro and hot sauce
20130923-224733.jpg
20130923-224738.jpg
20130923-224759.jpg
20130923-224751.jpg

Thanks for visiting, if you liked this blog please click LIKE below.
If you want to follow my blog please scroll to the bottom, click the FOLLOW button and enter in your email address.

Love Haleykins
20130919-203639.jpg

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Another Greek Chicken Recipe

I found a recipe a few weeks ago while searching the interweb for new ideas. I followed it pretty closely but tweaked it just a bit… more garlic, less oil, etc.
I also added a bit more lemon then required and upon taste testing… too much lemon. So stick with this and you can’t go wrong
20130920-183427.jpg
GREEK MARINADED CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS:
1 + 1/4 CUPS PLAIN GREEK YOGURT,FAT FREE
1 T OLIVE OIL
5 CLOVES MINCED GARLIC (or a frozen premade homemade garlic ball 😉)
I LEMON (the juice and as well the zest)
1 T OREGANO
1 T PARSLEY
FRESH CRACKED PEPPER (at your discretion)
12 CHICKEN LEGS and/or CHICKEN THIGHS🍗🍖
DIRECTIONS:
Combine everything, except the chicken, in a bowl.
Place chicken pieces in a large ziplock bag.
Pour the marinade over the chicken. 🍗
Mix the chicken around in the bag for a consistent coating
Seal and chill in the fridge for at least an hour. I did 4 hours 😋 YUM
Preheat oven to 375
Line a large baking dish with parchment like I did or grease the pan
Bake chicken in the pan uncovered for about 1 hour or until slightly crispy and golden brown
20130920-190415.jpg
We had this along side a super fresh greek salad with light feta cheese and lemon rice pilaf.

Thanks for visiting, if you liked this blog please click LIKE below.
If you want to follow my blog please scroll to the bottom, click the FOLLOW button and enter in your email address.

Love Haleykins
20130919-203639.jpg

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Crispy Panko Fish Tacos

20130528-141422.jpg

Do you spend many Sundays reorganizing your fridge and freezer as often as I do? How can such a small space fall apart so quickly? Maybe because it’s small and that makes it difficult to hunt for what I’m looking for? Anyways, while rummaging through the freezer for who knows what, I found a recent purchase of some Basa fillets. Perfect! I have everything to make Hubby some fish taco’s. he had mentioned wanting to try fish tacos with breaded fish, or a crunchy outside. We’ve only ever had them grilled, so I granted his request and heaved out the giant box of Panko.

Then, he came into my kitchen, poked his head around the corner and asked me… “Are you really making dinner and making soup?” As he looks at the clock. I can handle this don’t worry babe. The thing is these fish tacos need to be made to order as you don’t want your fish getting soggy. They are super easy to whip up you just need to have the right ingredients ready and on hand.

Special thank you to GalPal, Kristy!! She has been giving me jars of her homemade salsa which is some of the best salsa ever! These tacos are good but I know they are this good because of her salsa!! Thanks Girl!!
**But on a side note: it’s her fault I’m addicted to Candy Crush Saga**
20130528-152626.jpg
Here we go!

Crispy Panko Fish Taco’s
With Cilantro Lime Sour Cream

Cilantro Lime Sour Cream ~ It’s as simple as it sounds
Take the juice of 2 fresh limes and mix with about 1 1/2 cups fat free sour cream
Mix in about a 1/2 cup of chopped fresh cilantro. Mmmmmmm yum love cilantro!
I added in about a 1/2 tbsp of puréed chipotle peppers for a hint of kick! Hubby loves him some kick! Haha

In a flat dish, I made an egg mixture using a 4 or 5 eggs, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.
Give it a wisk
Slide in 2 Basa fillets, thawed, rinsed and patted dry
Place the fish and egg mixture in the fridge for about 30 minutes
In another flat dish sprinkle out about 3 cups of Panko
Sprinkle the of ok with salt, pepper and cayenne pepper
Next, remove fish from the egg mixture and cover with seasoned Panko. Get a good layer on these babies
In a frying pan, heat some oil about a 1/2 high and fry the fish on both sides till golden brown and crispy crunchy! Yum
Let it cool on some paper towels and chop it up into chunks for the tacos
20130528-152006.jpg
Heat some medium tortillas in a frying pan
Drizzle tortilla with some of the sour cream
Add shredded lettuce, cubed avocado, diced purple onion
Top with the fish, some of Kristy’s Spicy Salsa and a squirt of fresh lime
Oh ok and another drizzle of the cilantro lime sour cream
Eat and Enjoy!
20130528-152111.jpg

20130528-154853.jpg

Thanks for visiting, if you liked this blog please click LIKE below.
If you want to follow my blog please scroll to the bottom, click the FOLLOW button and enter in your email address.

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken & Pasta

I was very excited to try tonight’s menu out.

(Tomorrow I promise I will post something other than food. My blog was not meant to just be about food but these days it seems to be. Sorry about that.)

Ok, so tonight I tried something new. Now I’ve never even had bruschetta let alone make it so this was interesting for me. First of all I wasn’t even sure I was going to like it. I am not opposed to balsamic vinegar, I just have never tried it. Remember it was only a couple of years ago that I started liking flavors of foods. Also, I have never cooked with basil or rather fresh basil. And do I like tomatoes. Cooked yes, but fresh…. I’m still not sure yet.

Basically… this ought to be interesting hey? But I wanted to try something new and more importantly, something fresh!!!

Here we go!!

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken & Pasta
20130519-214014.jpg
20130519-214044.jpg
Ingredients:

    Chicken

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, butterflied, see pictures below
salt & pepper
1/4 C. extra virgin olive oil or as Rachael Ray calls it, EVOO. *gaaa*
1/4 C. balsamic vinegar
mozzarella cheese in slices
fresh grated parmesan cheese
20130519-222218.jpg
20130519-222225.jpg
20130519-222231.jpg

    Topping

2 roma tomatoes, finely diced
handful of grape or cherry tomatoes, finely diced
4 or 5 cloves of minced garlic
1 T. balsamic vinegar
10 fresh basil leaves, rolled and sliced thin
fresh grated parmesan cheese
20130519-220224.jpg
20130519-222900.jpg
20130519-220245.jpg
Instructions:

    Chicken

Season chicken with S & P
Mix vinegar and oil and brush on both sides of chicken breast
BBQ the seasoned chicken breasts
20130519-222801.jpg
Once cooked, cover with mozza slices and a sprinkle of parm
20130519-223358.jpg
20130519-223806.jpg

    Topping

Mix tomatoes, garlic & vinegar in a bowl
Top the cheesy chicken with the tomato mixture
Then sprinkle with fresh basil & parm
Place topped chicken back on the BBQ or in a hot oven for a few minutes
20130519-222704.jpg
I served this with pasta.
20130519-220313.jpg
I used Farfalle pasta, better known as bowtie pasta
20130519-220448.jpg
I made a mozza parm cheese sauce with chicken stock, tomatoes, basil & garlic for the pasta
20130519-223858.jpg
Thanks for visiting! I hope someone tries out this recipe and let’s me know what you think.
If you enjoy my blog please click like below and if you would like to follow my blog please scroll to the bottom of the page, click the FOLLOW button and enter in your email address.

Thanks again guys!

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

GREEK! A meal without Avocado…. Finally! Too much of a good thing as my mom said.

While chatting with my wonderful mother again last night about the Creamy Potato & Cauliflower Soup and Roasted Garlic as well that I had just made, I thought I should ask her about avocado’s. We eat so many avocado’s because they are just sooo tasty and we really enjoy the meals that include this wonderful stuff. Well she said if you were to eat 1 a day you may start to gain weight…. Yikes, we eat more than 1 a day each… sometimes 3! YIKES again! I told her I really like them tho and she responded with… “too much of a good thing”

True!

It’s time to slow down on the avocado’s and so I decided to go Greek for the night!
Here are some new recipies I’ve managed to find and everything tasted really good.

Just some of the things needed for tonights dinner!
GREEK TONIGHT

LOW FAT GREEK SALAD DRESSING

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 garlic clove
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fat-free chicken broth

Directions:
Blend all the ingredients and let it sit a couple of hours .

I doubled this recipe to ensure I had enough for everyone for 2 nights.

________________________________________

GREEK PRAWN & PASTA SALAD

Ingredients:
1 lb of raw prawns (without the shell or tails)
1 tbsp. butter
2 cloves of minced garlic
Salt & pepper
3-4 cups of cooked and cooled pasta (I used rotini noodles)
½ purple onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
½ red pepper, chopped
¼ yellow pepper, chopped
1 cucumber, sliced then quartered
1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
I small tub of low fat feta cheese
*feel free to add olives… hubby doesn’t like em….
Low Fat Greek Salad Dressing

Directions:
1. Saute prawns in butter and garlic, season with salt and pepper. Chill in the fridge
2. In a salad bowl add the pasta, feta cheese, onion, peppers, cucumber, tomatoes, prawns and feta cheese. *olives if you choose
3. Gently toss with Low Fat Greek Salad Dressing
4. Garnish with a lemon wedge

________________________________________

GREEK OVEN BAKED CHICKEN

Ingredients:
4 bone in split chicken breasts (I used chicken legs because I had some in the freezer)
1/2 cup olive oil
juice of 2 lemons
3 -4 cloves of garlic, crushed or minced (I used 5 cloves because we love garlic)
3 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. pepper

Directions:
1. Mix the olive oil and next 5 ingredients in a 9 X 11 baking dish.
2. Place chicken in the dish, turning them in the marinade a few times. I like to lift the skin and use my hands to spread some of the marinade underneath it. Leave them skin side down in the dish. Cover them and refrigerate overnight.
3. The next day, bake them at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Flip and bake an additional 30-40 minutes.
4. turn the broiler on high during the last 5 minutes to brown up the skins.

  

 

In the end I was very pleased!  A very refreshing juicy meal that made the husband quite pleased.  Success!

I would add a little more lemon to the chicken next time and they didn’t make for nearly as long because I used legs instead of breast piecese smaller than they should have been but hey they were what I had leftover in the freezer.

The best part is I have enough left over so I don’t have to make dinner tomorrow!

Thanks for reading!

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Roasted Garlic ~ Everything happens for a reason :)

Can’t believe I’ve NEVER roasted garlic before!
What is wrong with me? It’s sooo easy and oh so good!
Have you roasted garlic? Now, I don’t have a fancy little clay pot to roast mine in so this is what I did…

You will need:
1 fist of garlic
drizzle of olive oil
salt & pepper
tinfoil

Preheat oven to 320F
Take the fist of garlic and slough off the outer skin leaving the fist intact and still with the inner skins.
Cut off the top part to expose the cloves.
Cut tinfoil to about 7inches square and place the garlic cut side up in the centre
Drizzle with the olive oil
Lightly sprinkle with salt and pepper
Now twist it up like a big Hershey’s kiss chocolate
Place in middle rack of oven and bake at 320F for about an hour.
Take it out and let it cool a little
It should be golden and succulent looking
The fragrance alone will make you drool so have a napkin nearby.
From the bottom of the fist you should be able to gently squeeze out the roasted yummy cloves!

Everything happens for a reason! 🙂 Stay tuned for my next post!

roasted garlic

Tagged , , , , , , , , , , ,