Fish Tacos with Fresh Garden Salsa

These fish tacos are so so so yummy and super quick to make. We threw them together in less than 25 minutes. And we could probably make them in less than 20 minutes if we would multi-task a bit better ;)

Ingredients:

Fish:
-Tilapia filets (we used 4 small ones - other mild white fish would probably work just fine)
-Carne asada seasoning
-2 tbsp butter

Fresh Garden Salsa:
-2 tomatoes, diced
-3/4 of a yellow bell pepper, diced
-1 jalapeño, diced (or small handful of jarred rings, diced)
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-roughly 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped semi fine
-juice of 1 lime

Cabbage:
-3 or 4 cups red cabbage, finely shredded (we used a cuisinart with shredding plate)
-salt
-juice of 1 lime

-Tortillas
-Monterey jack cheese, shredded (about one cup, but by preference)

1. Melt butter in pan over high heat. Slice fish, width wise, into half inch slices. Coat with carne asada seasoning. Cook fish in pan until cooked through, flipping half way. May take about 4 minutes total.
2. Toss all salsa ingredients together in medium bowl.
3. Toss shredded cabbage with salt until lightly coated. Drizzle and toss with lime juice.
4. Shred cheese and warm tortillas.

To serve: layer on tortilla the fish, cheese, salsa, and cabbage to taste. Enjoy :)

***Also, the fresh garden salsa is an amazing chip dip! Sooo good :) Perfect for summer!***

Side note: I am totally not a food photographer.... hence the poor quality of photos and staging ;)

A Non-Foodie Post of Resources!

Yes. I know. This is a food blog. A blog I had the best intentions for! Yet, life got crazy and I got forgetful. I had (have!) tons of recipes to fill this blog with!

My problem? I kept forgetting to take pictures when I made a recipe. (Though, now that I have a smart phone, I really have no excuse...) But that seems a bit ridiculous looking back since my last post nearly a year ago...

Sometime in the future I might try to redeem my blog, but for now... I'm okay with just going on with my life and coming back to it at the right moment ;)

 So here I am posting some totally-not-food-related resources. Cause guess what? I'm a mom. And this is what I do. If I get enough feedback, I might consider "revising" this blog and making it a resource center for all things child-rearing, parenting, marriage, and plain old survival of the toddler years! (You know, for those days when it is REALLY hard to be a mom! Totally been there... more times than I can count...)

I have created all these resources myself (thank you microsoft word), but I scoured the internet searching for the base ideas. I quickly learned that what I wanted had not yet been done, or I wanted something more specific to our family. So I made up my own stuff! Turns out, I had a blast making my own resources! It didn't take too long (got them done in less than one nap time... yes, as a matter of fact that is a scientific time measurement tool...), maybe 30 minutes at most.

I love to use Pinterest as a tool to better our lives and our home. I pin tons -borderline too many- of ideas and usually use them all to influence my creative side and eventually come up with something unique. I love coming up with my own ideas :) BUT I absolutely need the inspiration of others! And that sums up my love-love relationship with Pinterest.



CHORE CHART: (Morning and Night Routine)

Here is the chore chart I came up with for my 3 year old. I got lots of ideas from all over the internet and then went to work. I came up with as few necessary steps as possible to make it easy on C. He absolutely LOVES it! And the best part is the side effect: he went from being a very needy, always wanting mommy to help kind of boy to truly wanting to do things for himself and feeling important and strong! (I have been telling him for months he was capable of some things but he just didn't believe me... until the chart told him he could accomplish great things!)

*He is a VERY sensitive boy who is extremely cautious and unsure. I am constantly reassuring him of everything, but he is a worrier at heart. I have a hard time relating since I worry about next to nothing... He is so passionate about other people and everything going on around him. He clearly has a hard time balancing it and I obviously have hard time helping him work through it! And any advice would be of great help ;)

We use this routine in addition to other "chores" he helps with around the house. I try to "put him to work" any chance I get to help improve his self-confidence as well as build his knowledge and skill base. I am slowly adding things as he becomes more capable and I try to come up with little ways he can be a big help whenever I am doing something. (*If anyone is interested in a list of toddler chores, I'm sure I can come up with one easily! Just let me know!)



FAMILY RULES:

This is the very simple set of rules we use in our house. I looked through tons ideas and decided to keep it simple and sweet. These exact rules are ones I originally found on this blog. I liked the way she wanted to keep it simple and easy for the littlest of toddlers to follow. These five rules cover just about every possible offense out there, and so far has been working pretty well for us. Right now we have it hanging on the fridge, but I would like to frame it and have it hanging somewhere else...



HOUSEKEEPING SCHEDULE:

I actually got this general schedule from Time-Warp Wife! She has some amazing resources! I really liked her printable, but wanted to make some adjustments for our life and home needs. So I made my own variation. I just printed this on regular white printer paper, but it would also look great on some lightly patterned scrapbook paper or card stock! I have it framed and hung on the wall with my Command Center. 

My CC includes the housekeeping schedule, my weekly schedule board (below), a clock, and marker holder. We are currently away from home right now, but when we get back I would like to add a calendar, simple to-do list, and a couple other things. There are a number of CC ideas on Pinterest if you are interested in creating your own! My phone does have everything I need to stay organized and on top of my life, but after using it for a little while I have decided I prefer the real thing laid out where I can see it! :)

WEEKLY SCHEDULE BOARD:

I know this is not so much a resource but an idea. I have absolutely LOVED this board! It is easy to make and use. The frame is from "a big everything store" (maybe $4; I already had this frame with some pictures I didn't really care for, so this was a great opportunity) and I used some scrapbook paper I already had. I printed the lettering on the paper, but I have seen some people use a cricut. Or you could even use those letter stickers that come in big packs and all different styles and sizes! And you can also do this board vertically if you prefer.

In general, I update it every Sunday with the events and tasks of the week. I tend to erase as I go and even update at the end of each day. I have a collection of small dry erase markers I keep in a scrapbook paper lined toilet paper roll! lol.... It was cheap, I had the materials, it matches the rest of the CC decor, and it looks cute tied with hemp :)



MENU BOARD:

This is the menu board I made. (Not a great quality picture, but you get the idea.) I got a frame from "a big everything store" (or maybe I already had it?? don't remember) for a few bucks and took out the glass. I painted the backing with chalkboard paint (about 2 coats I think) and let it dry completely for a few days. I then used white-out for the lettering! (lol... sounds crazy, but it worked really well!) I used the brush white-out for the MENU and the pen white-out for the days. Using the white-out made it easy to write and get the letters to look good. I didn't have any paint on hand and honestly I don't think I would have done a great job with the lettering if I had used paint!

To clean it, I just dampen a clean cloth and wipe it down gently. No chalk smearing. Cleans it completely.

*It works great for planning out the meals for the week. (I do weekly meal planning in alignment with the weekly sale ads at our grocery store) However, I might do one thing different should I do it again: the backing (cardboard) was reasonable sturdy, but I wish it were a bit more firm. I think I would try painting the glass instead and just doing more coats.


Feel free to use any of my resources (and ideas!) in your own home! And feel free to re-pin on Pinterest :)

Thank you for visiting!

And feel free to try out some of the (very few) recipes I have long ago posted! :)

-Angela

*I have a background in Elementary Education, and many years experience working with kids outside the education field. I am now a stay at home mom (SAHM) of a 3 year old son and 19 month old daughter. Needless to say I love kids ;)  I have compiled numerous resources for my own use and would love (in the future... when life settles down a bit) to write my own curriculum(s) and reading tools, and possibly even books for both children and adults alike. Hope you find all this information helpful! Thank you!

Feel free to follow me on Pinterest as well! Click here!  :)

EASY Pulled Pork

This is the easiest, yummiest recipe ever for pulled pork! No reason not to try it!

Ingredients:
pork loin
root beer
bbq sauce (apx. one bottle)
vinegar (optional)
buns

1. Put pork in crock pot.
2. Pour in root beer until pork is half or mostly covered (not a science... however much you have/want to put in)
3. Leave in crock pot on low all day or until meat is literally falling apart.
4. Remove pork and pull apart with forks.
5. Mix with bbq sauce and vinegar if using. We like about 3 tbsp vinegar. Adjust to your taste.
6. Serve on buns.

Done. Easy. Yummy :)

This recipe is all over, and honestly I can't remember where I got it from originally...

Dipping Oil for Bread

So this is a dipping oil much like the appetizer at Carrabba's. I make homemade french bread and serve with pasta dishes. Tonight we are having Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and steamed broccoli maybe; not sure on the veggie yet :) Anyway, this is super easy to make and super delicious. Could also be a great gift for the holidays with a bottle of olive oil!

Ingredients:
1 tsp crushed red pepper
1 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried basil
1 tsp parsley flakes
1 tsp granulated garlic
1 tsp minced garlic
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 - 1/2 c extra virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients except oil on a shallow bowl or plate. Pour olive oil over top. Serve with fresh bread for dipping.

This recipe makes more than we eat in one sitting, so I combine all the dry ingredients in a small container and store in spice cabinet. I spoon out about 1/2 to 1 tsp of mix and add additional ingredients for the two of us. (Only as much oil as needed-- maybe 2 or 3 tbsp??) We also liked this recipe when we briefly toasted the fresh minced garlic in a pan until golden.

Strawberry Cobbler

I know, I know. Who makes a cobbler without peaches?!?! I have been on a strawberry kick and let me tell you: this cobbler is delicious! And it is super easy!

Fruit Filling Ingredients:
2 quarts strawberries, hulled and rinsed, large berries halved
1 tbsp cornstarch
1/3 to 1/2 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Cobbler Ingredients:
1 c flour
1/4 c plus 2 tsp sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/3 c buttermilk
4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp cinnamon

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Place fruit filling in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. Place pie plate on a foil-lined, rimmed baking sheet and bake until the fruit begins to release liquid, 20 to 30 min.
2.While fruit is baking, whisk flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk, melted butter, and vanilla together. In a third bowl, toss the cinnamon with remaining 2 tsp sugar.
3. Once the fruit filling has begun to release liquid, gently stir the butter milk mixture into the flour mixture with a rubber spatula until the dough is just combined and no dry pockets remain.
4. Remove cobbler filling from oven and stir. Pinch the biscuit dough into 8 equal pieces and place on top of hot filling, spaced 1/2 inch apart. Sprinkle the dough with the cinnamon sugar.
5. Return cobbler to oven and bake until the filling is bubbling and the biscuits are golden brown on top and cooked through, 15 to 20 min. Let cobbler cool on a wire rack for 15 min before serving. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Cobbler is so easy to make and so yummy to eat. This particular recipe is from America's Test Kitchen: Family Cookbook, revised edition. It also includes variations for about 8 other fruit fillings which look super delicious as well!

Original Spicy Buffalo Wings

These wings are amazing! If you like super spicy wings, then you will love this recipe. Of course, the method for baking the wings works great for other flavors as well. We like honey bbq, sweet & spicy, or just a milder version of this hot wing. You can find almost any sauce you like and add it to the wings (or you can make up your own, which is also rather yummy).

This is the original recipe for Anchor Bar in Buffalo, NY. The recipe makes 36 pieces which serves about 2 to 4 people depending on how much you like wings :)

Ingredients:
36 chicken wing pieces (1 wing = 2 pieces -- flat & drum)
1 tbsp veg oil*
1 tsp salt*
1 c flour
1 1/2 tbsp white vinegar
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Tabasco sauce
1/4 tsp salt
6 tbsp Louisiana hot sauce**
6 tbsp unsalted butter/margarine
celery sticks
blue cheese dressing

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
1. Cut wings into pieces. In bowl, toss with oil and salt. Place into large bag and add flour. Shake to coat evenly. Remove wings from bag, shaking off excess flour, spread out evenly on oiled foil-lined baking sheet/pan(s). Do not crowd. Bake ~20 min, turn wings over, bake another 20 min or until wings are cooked through and browned.
2. While wings are baking, mix all ingredients for sauce in pan, and bring to a simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, and then turn off.
3. After wings are baked, transfer to a large mixing bowl. Pour sauce over wings and toss with a spoon or spatula to coat completely.

These wings were originally served with celery sticks and blue cheese on the side, but you can eat them with anything. I prefer carrot & celery sticks with ranch :)

*The wings get a bit crunchier and yummier if the extra oil and salt are omitted.
**It is well worth finding the real Louisiana sauce. The flavor is incredible and it tastes great on lots of dishes, including our personal favorite: tacos!

We love the way these wings are baked. They turn out great no matter what flavoring you use! Let me know if you find a new delicious sauce to coat the wings with. Since chicken is cheap (especially wings!) it is a great way to make a low cost yummy meal!

Green Salad with Grapes

This is the salad we serve with our lentil and sausage soup. It is super yummy and easy to adjust to fit your tastes. My favorite recipes are the ones we make to fit our taste! The original recipe is from here.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 pinch sugar
1/3 cup olive oil
8 cups torn mixed salad greens (we use 1/2 romaine 1/2 red leaf)
1 cup flat leaf or Italian parsley, rinsed and spun dry (optional)
1 1/2 cups red seedless grapes, halved
1/4 cup shelled roasted sunflower seeds or sliced almonds
1 apple, peeled and sliced
Parmesan cheese to top

1. In a small bowl whisk together vinegar, salt, pepper, dijon, and sugar.
2. Add the oil and whisk until emulsified (or put in dressing container with sealable pour spout and shake).
3. Combine lettuce, parsley and grapes.
4. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds or almonds, apple, and parmesan. Add dressing to taste. Serve immediately.