Fish Tacos with Spicy Slaw

This was my first time trying fish tacos.  I've always been a little leery of them as I haven't been much of a fish fan in the past.  This year, however, I've been all over fish.  These fish tacos were the bomb diggity! 

I'm convinced the spicy slaw is what took these over the top.  Grilled jalapenos really kicked up the heat to 11.  Consider that your warning here.  Go easy on the slaw or go easy on the jalapenos in the slaw.  I went all out because I like to sweat when I eat spicy stuff. 

These tacos are also low in calories which is great for bikini season.  Yeah, bikini season is here and it's not going away.  Along with watching what I eat I've been working out to Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred.  I have made it through Level 1 already and I'm 3 days in to Level 2.  Level 2 is much harder than Level 1 but it gets easier.  I think I may add some running in to these workouts as well.

Fish Tacos with Spicy Slaw
Yield 4 servings

---

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for grill
• 1 pound skinless firm, white fish fillets, such as cod or striped bass, cut into 3-inch pieces
• 1 small bunch cilantro - I used parsley due to the hubs extreme distaste of cilantro
• 3 jalapenos
• salt and pepper
• 1 tomato, diced small
• 3 Napa cabbage leaves, shredded
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• Smoky seasoning salt (recipe below)
• lime juice, plus wedges for serving
• 8 corn tortillas, toasted
• sliced avocado, for serving

Instructions:

1. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high.  Clean and lightly oil hot grill.  Combine fish, cilantro (or parsley) stems, and jalapenos.  Coat with oil and season with salt and pepper.  Grill fish and jalapenos until fish is opaque throughout and jalapenos are charred and tender, about 5 minutes per side.
2. In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, cabbage and onion.  Seed and finely chop 2 grilled jalapenos and add to bowl.  Season to taste with seasoning salt and lime juice.  Flake fish and divide among tortillas.  Top with slaw and serve with cilantro (or parsley) leaves, remaining grilled jalapeno, thinly sliced, more seasoning salt, lime wedges, and avocado.

Adapted from Everyday Food

Do you like fish tacos?   Have you tried Jillian Michaels - 30 Day Shred?

Mexican Chili-Cheese Burgers

Ole!

If this burger could talk that's what it would say.

But it can't.  Because I cooked it up all Mexican style for Cinco de Mayo and you know something?  I have no regrets.  It was good.  Not just good, I mean REALLY good.  Like, "why didn't I ever think of this before?" good.

For more Cinco de Mayo recipes, click here!

Mexican Chili-Cheese Burgers
Yield: 4 servings

---

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground round
• 1/2 cup shredded 4-cheese Mexican cheese 
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons minced seeded jalapeño pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• Cooking spray
• 4 (1 1/2-ounce) hamburger buns
• 4 leaves romaine lettuce
• 8 (1/4-inch-thick) slices tomato
• Guacamole

  Instructions:

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a bowl; stir well. Divide mixture into 4 equal portions, shaping into 1/2-inch-thick patties.
2. Prepare grill. Place patties on grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 6 minutes on each side or until done.
3. Spread 1 tablespoon of guacamole over top half of each bun, and set aside. Place patties on bottom halves of buns; top each with lettuce, tomato, (if desired), and top half of bun.

Recipe by Dee at Deelicious Sweets

I like my ground meat to be well done.

Not this well done though

I'm sorry.  I apologize but I had to do it.

Happy Chicken Taco's with Ranch Sauce

My families happy faces came out at the dinner table last night!

I was moved by the "Letter From The Editor" in my yoga magazine this month. 

“Repurpose yourself or get grounded in something you have already chosen.

Nothing costs as little and is worth as much as a smile. Relax, let yourself smile and see the light come back to you tenfold!

Remember, you are the boss of your own energy. Stop waiting for someone to make you feel better, reassure you, or tell you what to do. No one can declare dominion over your life besides you. Be your own leader. What are you waiting for?

Forget about the umbrella and boots, run outside and splash in some puddles, make the most of every moment. Some people may not understand, may naysay, try and rain on your “passion parade”, but that is none of your concern. It’s your life, your choice, and it’s your rainbow.”

I love that last line “It’s your life, your choice, and it’s your rainbow”.  So many people forget they are in charge of their lives, they have choices. It’s up to you to make yourself happy not other people or materialism.  I often come across people who always seem to be putting their efforts towards figuring out what is making them unhappy when we should all be putting our efforts towards figuring out what makes us happy and be grateful for everything we have. I made a Happy List almost exactly a year ago - June 21, 2010

• Spring - I love watching the tree's and grass start to turn green and my flowers start to poke their little heads up out of the ground.  The whole world around you seems to turn VERY VERY green
• Fall - I love the smell of fall.  To me it smells like burning pumpkins.  I love all of the colors of fall, they make me feel cozy
• Waking up earlier than everyone else and sitting in peace with my coffee
• Sleeping in - which I like way better than waking up early so the waking up earlier than everyone rarely happens
• Spending one on one time with my kiddo's - Last night (6/17) after L's piano lessons, L wanted a snow cone so I stopped (which I hardly ever do) and he treated me to a snow-cone!  He even tipped the girl!
• The smell of ground coffee
• The smell of the bookstore - sometimes, I go in there just to jaunt around and take in the aroma's
• The smell of Michaels craft store
• Snuggling on the couch with my family and watching a good movie or show - which is almost every night
• Uninterrupted sewing, crafting, computer, video game, reading time - oh so rare
• Summer storms
• Bedtime - when we put the kids to bed and my hubby and I can watch whatever we want, be it Penn and Teller or a good movie
• Gardening, the smell of the dirt, the mulch and the plants aroma's they let go when you touch them - especially tomato and mum's
• The smell of Petunia's on a hot muggy night
• Enjoying my hubby's company or the company of friends on the back porch with a good bottle of wine
• Crusty bread and cheese
• Beer - Sam Adams, Guinness (if poured right), Boulevard, Blue Moon, Shlafly.....are you getting it?  There is no Bud Light, Budweiser listed here.  I like dark, wheaty, heavy beers with floaties
• A clean house - my sanity lies within a clean house
• Attic24 - This woman's blog makes me so happy.  I love all of her colorful photographs and projects that she submerges herself into.  I think her and I would make very good friends

This list still holds true today and when I’m feeling down I sometimes visit this post to remind me of all that I have to be happy for.  

Take a moment today and make yourself a happy list!

~ Enjoy and don't forget to smile you may make someones day!

Chicken Tacos with Ranch Sauce
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup ranch dressing
• 1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• taco seasoning, divided (recipe follows)
• 1 tablespoon milk chunky salsa
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken 
• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• shredded lettuce
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and mashed (optional)

Ingredients for Taco Seasoning:

• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mild cheddar cheese

Instructions for Chicken Tacos:

1. Combine ranch dressing, sour cream, 2 Tbsp. taco seasoning, and salsa in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until serving.
2. Cover bowl loosely with wax paper or plastic wrap. Microwave chicken until chicken is heated through, about 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Warm the tortillas in a skillet for about a minute on each side to make them pliable. Place a scoop of chicken on the tortilla and top with lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese, and a spoonful of the ranch dressing mixture.

Instructions for Taco Seasoning:

1. In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. If you are not using right away, store in an airtight container.

Adapted from Allrecipes.com

---

Servings: 1

Calories:  566

Total Fat:  38.3 g

Cholesterol:  142.7 mg.

Sodium:  1087.7 mg.

Protein:  31.3g.

---

When Natalie and I saw that salsa we knew it was coming home with us!

Ole!

When my friend Sawsan over at Chef in disguise posted these on her blog, I knew right then that I wanted these in ma belly.  Then, I saw that her recipe was adapted from Tyler Florence.  I knew I had to make them.  You see, I am having a foodie affair with Tyler.  My husband is fully aware of it.  Is Tyler aware of it?  Ummm, probably not.  He's kind of a big deal.  I'm sure he has many leather bound books in his library.