Swordfish with Avocado Butter

Oh Em Gee this is the best ever recipe for Swordfish. I get the Swordfish from Kroger and they get it frozen therefore it is cheaper per pound than if you bought it fresh from your fishmonger (compare $7.99 a pound to $16.99 a pound). I like the thinner cut steaks personally. I cook my fish on grill and not in the broiler. I am sure that it is better this way because to me, everything tastes better grilled. Chris loves to cook on the grill for me so he will take any chance that he can to cook on the grill. We like to use the Mesquite Briquettes, but use your favorite. The Avocado Butter goes perfectly with the Swordfish. If you are thinking about not making the Avocado Butter, please do. The fish tastes so much better with it. Make sure not to overcook your fish, or undercook it. Keep in mind that Swordfish does not flake when done, you have to go by the color of the fish to tell if it is done or not. I don't think that the meat of the fish tastes "fishy", but the skin does so you may want to remove it or give it to the cat. I usually serve this with some grilled vegetable kebabs, however today I will be serving them with leftover macaroni and cheese....I meant to get some artichokes but I didn't get around to it, I know I am a punk :P

Refried Black Bean Burritos

I decided to make these since I was cleaning out the cabinets and found a bag of black beans that I had bought a few months ago. I decided to cook them in the crock pot and it is super simple to do. I like using the crock pot because you just add your ingredients, and it cooks it for you. No supervision required except timing it. If you don't have a crock pot feel free to make these the old fashioned way on the stove top or use a couple of cans of black beans. I used this recipe to make my beans. For the refried beans, I pureed the beans with a few dashes each of Chipotle Hot Sauce, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Cumin, and Southwest Seasoning, which is Emeril's recipe....BAM! XD....LOL. Anyways, use about 1/3 cup refried beans per burrito,  a little salsa (your favorite or leave this out), and cheese of choice, about 1-2 tbsp. or a half of a cheese slice (it is what I had). Roll up. I made 8 burritos and I have a little bit of beans left over. Bake for about 10 minutes if you like your burritos crispy or microwave to warm. These are great for lunches. This is the recipe that I based these burritos off of.

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

My baked macaroni and cheese is known throughout both families and loved. I usually will leave out the tomatoes since not everyone likes them but I like to add them for Chris and I, or add them anyway and people that don't like them can pick them out, up to you. Today I will be making a half recipe because it is just the two of us. I always add onion and garlic powder to mine (maybe 1/2 to 1 tsp., each), to taste. Make sure you are tasting your sauce because you need to make sure the seasoning is right. I use skim milk and 2% cheese but rest assured, this is caloric, LOL! I also add about 1/4-1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese to the sauce. Here is the recipe that I use. Make the whole recipe for family get-togethers and watch it disappear.

So here is that recipe written out for you, the way that I make it.


Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Tomatoes
1/2 pound of elbow macaroni or shell macaroni
1& 1/2 cups milk (I use skim, but use your favorite)
1/8 pound of butter or 1/2 stick or 4 tbsp. (you can use tub margarine)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. or to taste garlic powder
1/2 tsp. or to taste onion powder
2 tbsp. cornstarch
12 ounces 2% sharp or mild cheddar cheese, divided use
1/4-1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup part skim Mozzarella cheese (if you have it, I didn't)
1 (14 ounce) can petite diced tomatoes, undrained

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Set aside some cheddar cheese for top of casserole.

Cook your macaroni in large soup pot according to package directions, drain, cool with cold water. Set aside.

In the same pot, over medium heat, melt your butter along with your 1 cup of milk, salt and pepper.

Mix the remaining 1/2 cup milk with the cornstarch, mix until dissolved and set aside.

Slowly add the milk/cornstarch mixture to the hot milk mixture, stirring constantly with a whisk.

When your mixture has thickened, pull off heat and add your cheeses.

Add the onion and garlic powder, please make sure to taste to make sure the flavor is the way you want it.

When your cheese is melted add your tomatoes, if using.

Add macaroni and mix until well coated with sauce.

Pour into casserole (usually an 8x8) and top with remaining cheese.

Cook for about 30-45 minutes, until golden and bubbly.

Here is a bonus picture of my cat, Durn sleeping in the sun.

Veggie Fajitas and Chocolate Banana Bread

Hi kids, today's recipe is Veggie Fajitas....I know, I know....I don't even need a recipe for this recipe, LOL. This does however give me the chance to break out the cast iron skillet and saute` up some veggies, like tomatoes, onions and peppers. I was going to use some squash/zucchini, but they are out of season and too d*mn expensive and I don't live in Richmond anymore so I can't go to Tan-A and get it GRRR. I can't wait for summer! But I digress.......I may go out to the store and get some cactus, I am undecided. Chris says that he likes cactus so I might go out. A lot of these recipes that I did look at call for Monterey Jack cheese, but I like them without the cheese. You can serve the fajitas with some sour cream and salsa...fresh or bought. I ended up getting zucchini since the store I went to had them on sale and they also had artichokes on sale so I may go back and get some of those for another meal later in the week ;O) Feel free to use whatever veggies you have on hand, for 2 people I used 1&1/2 quartered smallish tomatoes, 1 medium onion (sliced), 1/2 medium sized zucchini (sliced), and 1/2 green bell pepper (sliced). Cook all veggies (except tomatoes) with a bit of oil over medium-medium high heat until veggies soften and during the last bit of cooking add your tomatoes. These were delicious and I will make them again.

I also decided to make some chocolate banana bread since I have two very ripe bananas sitting on the table that neither Chris or I will eat. Our bunnies would love them though, they love really ripe bananas. That is my male Netherland Dwarf, Stitch, above. Isn't he a cutie? This recipe is from Good Food, Good Wine and A Bad Girl's Isabelle Boucher. You should check out her blog, nicely written and lots of beautiful photos and delicious recipes. This recipe is pretty much foolproof, want to make it with less fat or maybe you only have 1/2 stick butter? Use applesauce in place of the remaining butter that you are missing. Making this but you are a vegan? Use margarine instead of the butter and for the eggs use applesauce (1/2 cup). She calls for high quality cocoa, but if you only have regular cocoa it still tastes awesome. I actually use the store brand. Here is the recipe, but don't miss out on her Chai Banana Bread, which is also very delicious. I would be making that but I am saving the rest of the Chai tea bags I have for Dee's (my MIL) birthday cake. I will post that recipe again next month.

                            Banana Bread Batter.....

                         Cooked Banana Bread.........

Crispy Orange Tofu, Broccoli Stir Fry and Iced Chai Tea

Chris said that he would like some Orange Tofu and I thought that we would need a side dish so I decided on some stir fried broccoli because we usually have broccoli on hand. I decided on this recipe because I liked the finished product photo and the recipe looks simple. I also liked that it is baked. Amazingly enough I have never tried Orange Tofu so this will be a new taste experience for me O.o........ It was delicious! Try this recipe! Just the right amount of heat. The only thing I recommend is to use a tbsp. of cornstarch mixed with a bit of water added to the sauce to thicken it instead of the flour called for.

 The broccoli recipe that I decided on was actually a broccoli and tofu stir fry and I am just nixing the tofu. Here is the recipe that I used....If you like thick sauce, I would use 2 tbsp. of cornstarch instead of the 1 tbsp. called for in the sauce recipe.

I also decided to make some Chilled/Iced Chai Tea today and I used this recipe....I added some bottled vanilla to mine and I used 4 cups skim milk and 6 tea bags and added about 1-2 tsp. of vanilla to the cooled tea mixture....I usually use Celestial Seasonings Chai Tea or Bengal Spice but Kroger did not have them so I used Stash. It sure smells good. I even went to the store and I came back and my entire house smelled like Chai Tea. Feel free to use whatever milk floats your boat, soy, rice, almond, etc. I love soy and almond and I am sure it would be fabulous with any of the listed milks. Chris and I loved this!!!!! Very spicy!

Salmon Burgers (with cilantro), Creamed Spinach and Thai Tea

Chris loves these burgers. They are simple to prepare and for us 2 meals since it makes 4 patties. I use the frozen salmon from Kroger that comes in bags so don't feel that you have to get fresh salmon to make this burger. They come together pretty easy with the food processor. I pretty much make it the same as the recipe except today I will be using some chopped up onion since I am out of green onions and I use Panko Breadcrumbs since I love them. I use bottled lime juice for a recipe unless I need the zest, you can get a pretty decent sized bottle for cheap on the juice aisle, I do the same thing for lemon juice. I also skip the cucumbers because Chris hates them, feel free to put them on your burger. Make sure to get some crisp green leafy lettuce to put on this burger. I  like to toast the face of the burger buns, I think it makes the burger taste better. I have been meaning to make this burger for my in-laws, maybe the next time they come over I will.

I make my Thai Tea with this recipe, Cha Yen. I believe I have posted this before so I won't go into a lot of detail except to say that I follow the recipe exactly, and I use 1/4 cup loose tea for 2 servings/glasses of tea. I got this tea from Tan-A Supermarket in Richmond, VA. I would show you a picture of the package, but it was just a clear plastic sleeve.

Here is the creamed spinach recipe that I made to go with our dinner. I added 3 minced garlic cloves in with the onions.

And without further ado, here are the burgers..........

Tofu, Mushroom and Snow Pea Stir Fry

I found this recipe and I decided to make it since I have all of the ingredients and I  added mushrooms to mine since I <3 mushrooms and instead of the shallots I used some sliced green onions which I added at the end with the sauce. I also doubled the sauce.

I find it is easy to get into food ruts so I have decided to try a new recipe each week, and it is an added bonus when it uses up ingredients already on hand. I get most of my Asian ingredients from Tan-A Supermarket in Richmond (VA). They have lots of  vegetables, fruit (the best prices in town), sauces, mock meats, rice, noodles, dishes, knives, rice paper sheets, spices, soy milk, oil, fish, seitan, tofu..... I really like shopping here. There is a Middle Eastern market that I will be checking out next weekend and I will let you know how it is. Coming up next is Saag Paneer. I may or may not make my own Paneer and I am not sure if I will make it with rice or Roti....Decisions, decisions!

Anyway, here is the tofu in all of its glory. I like to pepper my tofu while it cooks. Hehehehehehehehe, that is a Beauty and The Beast plate XD......

Here is the dish without the sauce added.

With sauce.

Plated.