Blackened Tilapia with Cilantro Lime Butter

Happy Sunday everyone! The baby is taking a nap, I made myself a lovely breakfast, and now I'm enjoying my second cup of coffee. Life is good! Now let me help you plan dinner. Oh I know, how about Blackened Tilapia with Cilantro-Lime Butter? Boy that was easy. I promise this dish is so good it could turn around a non-fish eater. You know who I'm talking about. I double dog dare you to try this dish and then tell me you don't like fish. 

Ingredients:

- 1 lime

- 2 Tbsp butter at room temperature

- 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

- 2 garlic cloves minced (or use the refrigerated already prepared minced garlic)

- 1 Tbsp canola oil

- 4 tilapia fillets

- 1 Tbsp blackening seasoning

Directions:

1. In a small bowl mix the zest of the lime, juice from the lime, butter, cilantro, and garlic. Stir to blend then set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over high heat. Rub the blackening seasoning on the tilapia fillets. Once the oil is hot, add the fish and cook 3-4 minutes (don't disturb it, just let it cook and yes the house will probably get smoky). Flip fillets over and cook another 1-2 minutes.

3. Transfer the tilapia to a plate and top immediately with a bit of the cilantro lime butter. The butter just melts right into the fillets. Heaven!

*Recipe adapted from Men's Health

My New Favorite Snack

I discovered a new blog. Well new to me at least. Its called Bluebird and I'm kinda obsessed. They are moving to Nashville soon. We should probably hang out. I think Atlas and Sailor could be best of buds. I mean their names already sound great together. Her hubby has a rocking mustache and beard and my hubby is working on a pretty sweet stache himself. I mean all signs point to yes. We should totally hang out. Okay let me stop before it gets creepy and talk about what this post is really about. BEET BREAD...well that is what my husband calls it. I saw it on Bluebird and fell in love. Its a perfect snack!

Ingredients:

- Bread (sourdough if ya got it)

- Cheese spread (goat cheese, alouette, laughing cow, etc..)

- Pickled beets

- Sea salt

- Arugula 

Directions:

1. Toast some bread, spread on the cheese, top with beets, sprinkle with sea salt, pile on the arugula, chow down! 

4 Months!

My baby is 4 months old!
We went for a check-up and round two of his shots today.
Thankfully his thighs are so chunky that he barely felt the needles.

He's starting to pay more attention to his brother but Marley doesn't seem to notice him unless he's crying in which Marley quickly leaves the room.

He's a pretty laid back guy considering we slapped these sunglasses on him and he acted like he was born to wear them.
I think he realized how cool he looked in them and just went with it.

He likes to look at himself in the mirror.
He thinks he is pretty handsome which I must agree with.

Can't wait to see what the next four months bring.

Orzo With Tomatoes and Peas

It was clean out your pantry/fridge day around here again.

 I'm really trying to do better about not letting food go bad.

Plus it challenges me to come up with a recipe.

Its really a win win situation for all.

I've had this big jar of orzo in my pantry for wayyy to long.

Like a year maybe. I was sick of looking at it.

So...I ate it with some peas, tomatoes, and cheese :)

*That is some Parmesan Crusted Chicken in the picture that I served it with.

Both my hubby and sister-in-law said it looked like fish.

So my chicken looks like fish huh?

I'm still trying to figure out if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Either way this is dish would be good with chicken or fish.

Ingredients:
- 1 cup orzo
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1 cup diced fresh tomatoes
- Chicken Broth
- 1 teaspoon minced Garlic
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese
- Salt and Pepper
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil

Directions:
1. Cook orzo according to package but instead of using water use chicken broth (you don't have to but I think it makes the orzo more flavorful).

2. In a large saute pan heat butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic, frozen peas, and tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes.

3. Drain orzo and add it to the saute pan with the peas and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 more minutes.

4. Finish by stirring in the grated Parmesan Cheese.



Strawberry Scones

Man have I been busy. Important things happening around these parts.

Not only did I watch season 1 and 2 of Downton Abbey but I managed to catch up to the latest episode in season 3. Yeah, you read that right. Its a miracle really when you consider I have a 4 month old baby and the hubby was out of town. I got so immersed in it that I was half expecting my lady maid to walk in and dress me for the day (if you don't understand what that means you haven't watched the show and well you should go watch it immediately). So in honor of Downton Abbey and their fancy ways, I made scones! We had a huge carton of strawberries from our latest Costco rampage and they were on the verge of being wasted so I thought why not.

Shhhh don't tell anyone but I am a messy cook.

Aren't they beautiful? Or as Lady Mary would say they are lovely.

 

Ingredients:

- 1 cup strawberries, diced into bite size pieces

- 5 tablespoons sugar (granulated)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature and cut into cubes
- 2/3 cup heavy cream

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sprinkle diced strawberries with 1 tablespoon sugar and set aside.

2. Combine 3 tablespoons of sugar with flour, baking powder and salt. Cut in the butter, using a pastry cutter, fork, or two knives (google it for demonstration if your not sure what to do). Stir in the strawberries then add the heavy cream. Use spatula to gently stir dough until it holds together.

3. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times to mix all the ingredients. Be gentle so you don't break up the strawberries and don't overwork the dough. Sprinkle dough with flour if it gets sticky.

4. Press the dough into a circle 3/4 inch thick. Cut circle into 6-8 wedges, then transfer wedges to the cookie sheet, leaving at least 1/2 inch of space between them. Bake 15 minutes.

5. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of sugar and bake 5-10 more minutes or until the tops are beginning to brown.



Cookie Butter Frosted Brownies

Since I last posted about my new best friend, Cookie Butter, I've been experimenting with different ways to consume it. So far I've determined there is not a wrong way.

First I started just eating it off of a spoon...delish.

Then I tried dipping pretzels in it...also delish.

My friend tried it on an waffle and reported that too was delish.

Then I found this recipe and died.

Are. You. Serious!

Brownies AND Cookie Butter!

I had to try it immediately.

I didn't have all the ingredients for Laurens brownies but I will be baking them in the future.

Luckily I had a box brownie mix in the pantry just waiting for this special occasion.

 

Ingredients:

- Your favorite brownie mix, box or from scratch prepared as directed.

- 3 tablespoons softened butter

- 3 tablespoons of cookie butter

- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

- 1 cup powdered sugar

- 1 tablespoons milk

 

Directions:

1. Stir softened butter, cookie butter, vanilla, and sugar together until a thick paste forms. *It will be THICK and your arm will be tired but trust me just keep going.

2. Slowly stir in milk and then whisk vigorously until smooth. *Again another arm workout. No need for the gym the day you make these. I ended up adding a little more milk to reach that smooth consistency so feel free to do the same.

3. Once the brownies cool, spread frosting on top and enjoy.  

 

Are you drooling?

Make these for your honey on Valentines Day!

If you don't have access to Cookie Butter a) i'm sorry b) try it with peanut butter instead.

Hmmm I wonder if Nutella would work? Guess I should go find out!

 



Chicken Pomodoro

 While I was cleaning out/organizing my recipe binder I found this little gem hiding behind my chicken piccata recipe. It was scribbled down in my awful handwriting and just begging for me to give it a whirl. How could I resist with an ingredient list that included butter, heavy cream, and vodka. Umm about that baby weight...

 

Ingredients:

- 1 package of chicken cutlets

- all purpose flour

- salt and pepper

- olive oil

- 1/4 cup vodka

- 1 teaspoon minced garlic

- 1/2 cup chicken broth

- Juice of one lemon

- 1/2 cup diced fresh tomato

- 1/4 cup heavy cream

- 2 tablespoons butter

 

Directions:

1. Start by seasoning the chicken with salt, pepper, and lightly dredge in flour. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium high heat. Cook chicken for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from pan and keep warm.

2. Deglaze pan with vodka and add minced garlic. Whisk until vodka is almost cooked out then add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and diced tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes.

3. Return chicken to pan. Add heavy cream and butter. Let chicken cook in mixture for 2 minutes on each side.

4. Plate chicken and spoon sauce on top. Next time I think I will serve this over some pasta (I'm thinking some orzo might be nice). 

What I'm Loving

I need help.

I have a problem.

It's called shopping.

If it's new I must buy it.

If I see it on a blog I must have it.

If all the cool kids are doing it then I must do it too.

Here are the latest products I just couldn't live without.

Cookie Butter?

What is the heck is cookie butter you ask?  

It's delicious that's what it is.

I described it as Christmas is a jar.

Promise me you will go to Trader Joes and buy some.

If you don't have a Trader Joes I will personally ship it to you.

Seriously its that good.

During my daily browsing session on Etsy I can across these adorable organic baby rattle/teether at Smiling Tree Toys

They have so many cute designs and you can customize them as well.

What baby wouldn't love this? Or pregnant mom...hello baby shower gift! 

I was extremely picky when it came to purchasing a case for my phone.

It had to be pretty to look at AND do its job.

And by job I mean protect my phone because I drop it all the time!

So after searching high and low and bugging my husband for his opinion I finally found the one at Cuptakes.

Isn't it beeaauuutiiifull?

Yes, it may be a little expensive but for something that I carry around 24/7 I'd say it is well worth it.

I've had it for about 4 months now and dropped it a good 10...okay 20 times now and its still perfect.

 

Okay last but not least...my new bkr water bottle.

Its glass with a silicone sleeve!

I've convinced myself I have or will have cancer from using plastic water bottles.

Plus they get gross after awhile and if you use anything but water in them the flavor is stuck forever. Am I right people. So who is with me? Get yourself one immediately.

MVP Chili

As I mentioned in my Super Bowl Recipe Round-Up post, I am making chili on Sunday.

We are no stranger to chili in this house. Its one of my husbands favorite things to cook. He never uses a recipe yet it always turns out delish. What can I say, the man is talented. Anyways, I am doing the cooking on Sunday and unlike the husband I will be using a recipe.

Its called MVP chili.

Very fitting.

Ingredients:
- 1 package Italian Turkey Sausage (remove the casing)
- 1 large onion diced
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1 bottle dark beer (12 oz) or you can use chicken stock
- 1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 can (15.5oz) black beans, drained
- 1 can (15.5oz) red kidney beans, drained
- 1 cup corn
- salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
1. De-case sausage and saute in a large pot over medium-high heat.
    Use spoon to crumble sausage as it cooks.
2. Once sausage is browned stir in onion, garlic, chili powder, and cumin.
    Continue cooking for 5 minutes on medium heat.
3. Add beer and allow the mixture to simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
4. Stir in tomatoes, tomato paste and simmer for 10 minutes on medium-low.
5. Stir in beans and corn and season to taste with salt and pepper.

I like to serve mine with jalapeno corn muffins, some shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.

*Oh and I added a new little gadget on the page. It links you to my Etsy account and you can see all the pretty things I've been looking at/debating to purchase.

January According To Instagram

I've become obsessed with Instagram lately. Just ask the hubby. He is over it. I may be a little late on the Instagram train but that's okay because I was busy making a human last year. Come join me @leanneinwonderland1.

 

Cocktail hour at our house.

We seem to have many more of these since having a baby.

Its helping keep us sane.

The hubby turned 29!

He wasn't too excited.

Notice the box of pampers in the background.

This little guy just keeps getting cuter and cuter!

I put up another box of baby clothes that no longer fit.

Tears.

I'm eating this on the reg.

 I can't get enough.

This and coffee make getting up at 6:00 slightly easier.