Tilapia with Coconut and Macadamia Breadcrumbs and Mango Salsa

Right after making this tilapia a while ago, I began concocting a new recipe in my head.  I loved how the fish tasted cooked in coconut oil and thought a tropical twist would be just as delicious. And I was right!  I loved adding the sweet coconut and salty, crunchy macadamia nuts to the bread crumbs.  It made such a wonderful contrast in flavor as well as texture.

Fish is great to make for a weeknight meal since it cooks up so quickly and there is usually not much prep.  I usually like to serve fish with rice and for this meal used my Thai Coconut Rice, which I think paired perfectly.  Start the rice before you get to work on the rest and it'll all finish around the same time.

Tilapia with Coconut and Macadamia Breadcrumbs and Mango Salsa
for the fish:
4 fresh tilapia fillets
1 1/2 Tbsp. virgin coconut oil
salt/pepper
3 Tbsp. sweetened flaked coconut
3 Tbsp. cup panko bread crumbs
2 Tbsp. macadamia nuts, chopped

for the salsa:
1 mango, peeled and chopped
1/4 red onion, finely diced
1/2 jalapeño, finely diced
1/2 bunch of cilantro, chopped (or more, if desired)
the juice of 1 lime
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Combine all salsa ingredients in a small mixing bowl.  Stir to combine and set aside while the rest is being prepared.

Add breadcrumbs and coconut to a small skillet over medium heat and toast until golden, about 3-4 minutes; add macadamia nuts the last 30 seconds or so.  Remove from heat and set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add coconut oil and melt.  Season tilapia with salt and pepper. Add tilapia to skillet and cook 2-3 minutes per side, or until slightly golden or opaque. Remove from heat sprinkle with breadcrumbs.

Serve warm with mango salsa and Thai Coconut Rice, if desired.


SOURCE: Salsa from How Sweet It Is

Brown Butter Tilapia with Basil Bread Crumbs

We have not had fish in so long, like years, so I thought it was time to throw it back into rotation once in a while. Brown butter and basil and unlikely combination...maybe?  But does it work..heck ya!! 

Brown butter goes good with just about anything.  I could probably swim in it!!  I love the crunchy breadcrumb coating, and the basil flavor really isn't too strong because it's dried basil.  Another thing I love about this fish is that it's cooked in coconut oil.  I love the flavor and smell of that stuff and it pairs so well with fish.

It's wonderful how just a few simple ingredients can make a wonderful and uncomplicated dish like this one.  This is melt in your mouth good!

Brown Butter Tilapia with Basil Bread Crumbs

4 fresh tilapia filets
1 1/2 Tbsp. virgin coconut oil
salt/pepper
3 Tbsp. brown butter
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp. dried basil

Add 3 tablespoons butter to a small saucepan.  Heat over medium high heat and continue cooking until butter starts to turn brown and smells fragrant and nutty. Remove from heat.

Add breadcrumbs to a small skillet over medium heat and toast until golden, about 3-4 minutes. Turn off heat and immediately stir in garlic, dried basil and 1 tablespoon of brown butter. Set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season tilapia with salt and pepper.

Melt coconut oil in a large skilletover medium high heat. Add in tilapia and cook 2-3 minutes per side, or until slightly golden or opaque. Remove from heat. Right before serving, drizzle with remaining brown butter and breadcrumbs.


SOURCE: How Sweet It Is

Brown Butter Risotto with Lobster

We don't often buy lobster, in fact we may only have it once or twice a year. But, my husband loves lobster and I thought this would be the perfect addition to some risotto for a special date night at home. Using lobster tail, which I bought on sale, allowed us to feel a little indulgent without breaking the bank.

This turned out to be a beautiful dish and tasted amazing! It was also easier than you might think to put together. Instead of using chicken or fish stock to cook the rice, I decided to use the water I boiled the lobster in, with a dash of Old Bay to spice it up. Pair that with delicious brown butter, and I couldn't have been happier with the results.

Brown Butter Risotto with Lobster
1 pound (about 2 medium) frozen lobster tails, thawed
4 1/2 cups lobster stock
dash Old Bay seasoning (or more to taste)
4 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups Arborio rice
1/2 cup white cooking wine
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
salt and freshly ground black pepper
chives, for garnish, if desired


Bring a stockpot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the lobster tails and boil for 8 to 10 minutes until the shells curl and the lobster meat turns white. Remove tails, reserving 4 1/2 cups of the stock, drain and transfer to a cutting board; cool for 15 minutes. Using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut through the top shell lengthwise. Remove the meat and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, keep the stock hot over low heat. Add Old Bay and stir to incorporate.

In a large saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Cook until the butter begins to foam and then turns brown, about 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Add the onion and cook, about 3 minutes. Add the rice and stir to coat with the butter. Add the white wine and simmer until the liquid has almost evaporated, about 3 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of stock and stir until almost completely absorbed, about 2 minutes.

Continue adding the stock, 1/2 cup at a time, stirring constantly and allowing each addition of stock to absorb before adding the next. Cook until the rice is tender but still firm to the bite, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and the remaining butter. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Transfer the risotto to a large serving bowl. Arrange the lobster meat on top of the risotto and garnish with the remaining chives, if desired.


SOURCE: Giada De Laurentiis

Spicy Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup

I had to hurry and sneak this soup in while the weather is still in limbo. It's been unseasonably warm this winter and now that spring is on the verge, we've got snow in the forecast. Silly weather.

Anyway, whether the weather cooperates or not, you'll be happy you tried this soup. It is amazingly delicious! My husband and I couldn't stop eating it. It's also super fast to throw together. Make the soup while the rice is cooking and it will all be ready at the same time.

This soup gets it's kick from serrano peppers and it's slight sweetness from the coconut milk. The flavors balance out with the addition of fresh lime, ginger and basil leaves. Don't have shrimp around? Go ahead and switch it out for a couple of cut up chicken breasts.

Spicy Thai Coconut Shrimp Soup
2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 serrano peppers, seeds removed and finely diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. ginger, peeled and minced (or grate it on a microplane, if you have one, no peeling necessary)
5 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 cans (13.5-oz) coconut milk, light or regular
3 Tbsp. fish sauce
2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. salt
8 whole basil leaves, chopped into ribbons
zest and juice of 1 lime
1/2 lb. large shrimp, raw, peeled and deveined, tails Off (can Substitute 1 Cup, Chopped Raw Chicken)
Hot cooked Thai Coconut Rice (omit toasted coconut and cilantro)

Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the chili and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and the ginger. Stir frequently until you can smell the garlic, about 30 seconds. Add the chicken broth and coconut milk and allow to simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the remaining ingredients and cook until the shrimp is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning to your personal preference.

Serve with a large spoonful of hot cooked coconut rice.


SOURCE: Adapted from Domestic Fits

Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo

When I made my (half) menu this month, I was looking for lots of quick and easy meals. Although I've been cooking a little more lately, I have still had many nights I've just fed everyone cold cereal. So, when I came across this recipe from Pioneer Woman I knew it would be a keeper. For one, there is minimal prep, I'm talking under 10 minutes and all you have to do is throw this stuff in the oven and put the pasta on. Secondly, everyone here just adores shrimp!

I have actually made this twice recently. The first night I made it I only had a mere 1/2 lb. of shrimp from my freezer to work with and none of us got our fill. So, of course, I had to make it again! It's amazing what a few simple ingredients can to. It may not look much, but this dish has so much flavor. That along with the simplicity of it, it'll be calling your name too!!

Lemon Garlic Shrimp with Orzo
1 pound raw, frozen shrimp, deveined, shells on
1 stick cold butter, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley
1/2 lemon, juiced
2 cups orzo pasta

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Rinse frozen shrimp to separate and partially thaw them, then arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Fill a pot of water and put it on the stove to bring to a boil.

In the bowl of a food processor, add cold butter, garlic, lemon juice, salt and parsley. Pulse until combined. Sprinkle cold butter crumbles over the shrimp.

Bake until shrimp is opaque and butter is hot and bubbly. Mine was done in under 10 minutes, but times will vary depending on oven and how frozen shrimp is.

While shrimp is cooking, drop orzo into boiling water and cook according to package directions. Drain pasta and pour into serving dish. Pour cooked shrimp and lemon garlic sauce over the pasta and toss gently to coat.

*If you want to add a little extra heat, add a few sprinkles of red pepper flakes to the butter sauce.

SOURCE:Pioneer Woman

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Seasonal Sunday @ Real Sustenance
Potluck Sunday @ Mommy's Kitchen
Whisking Wednesdays @ Pinch of This, That & The Other

Chipotle Lime Shrimp

Wow, is it already Thursday? My, this week has flown by. We are still having 80 degree weather here and although I am liking it, I am really anxious for fall. I have many many things lined up to bake that are fall-inspired and I can't wait to share them with you all. However, it is not quite fall and the recipe I have to share today is more summer-inspired.

We had a family barbecue the other day and kind of made this shrimp on the go. I didn't want to have to go out once to the grocery store and then again to pick up my husband from work and drive to my in-laws. So, I picked up the frozen shrimp and let them thaw on the way there, then threw them in the marinade once we got there. Everything was very easy and fast to throw together.

Almost anything on the grill is wonderful, in my opinion, and these shrimp were no exception. There's just a little heat with the chipotle and the cilantro and lime just make the flavor pop even more. Don't put your grills away quite yet, give these a try. You can eat them with a side of pasta salad or throw them in some soft tacos with some beans and corn and Spanish Rice. Your tummy will thank you!

Chipotle Lime Shrimp
1 chipotle chili in adobo; chopped
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 lime (juice and zest)
2 Tbsp. cilantro; chopped
1 pound shrimp; peeled and deveined

Mix the chipotle, olive oil, cumin, brown sugar, lime zest, lime juice and cilantro in a bowl and and let marinate for 20 minutes. Skewer the shrimp. Oil up the grill and grill the shrimp until cooked, about 2-3 minutes per side.


SOURCE:My Baking Addiction

Shrimp and Penne Pasta

I have been wanting to make this for a very long time and I'm glad I finally just did it. Ben loves shrimp and I probably make it much too little as far as he's concerned. I love the simplicity of this dish, and the few simple ingredients. Yet, it still bursts with flavor. My kids really liked it too (minus the shrimp). This is another great meal for a warm summer evening.

3/4 lb penne pasta (I used whole wheat)
1 lb Shrimp
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp olive oil
1 whole onion (small)
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup white cooking wine
1 8-oz can tomato sauce
1 cup heavy cream
1 Tbsp. fresh parsley
1 Tbsp. fresh Basil
salt & pepper

Cook the penne pasta until al dente.

Peel, devein and rinse (under cool water) 1 pound of extra large shrimp. Heat about 1 tbsp. butter and olive oil in a skillet. Add the shrimp and cook for a couple minutes until just opaque. Do not overcook them. Remove from heat and let cool for a few minutes. Now, put the cooked shrimp on the cutting board and pull off the tails. Chop the shrimp into bite –sized pieces and set aside.

Finely dice one small onion. Mince two cloves of garlic. In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the garlic and onion and sauté, stirring occasionally. After the garlic and onions have cooked a bit add your white wine. Let the wine evaporate for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. If you would rather not use wine, you can use low-sodium chicken broth instead (about 1/2 cup).

Now add an 8-ounce can of plain tomato sauce. Stir well until combined. Then add 1 cup of heavy cream. Continue stirring. Turn heat down to low and let simmer.

Chop the herbs. Add the chopped shrimp back into the tomato cream sauce. Give it a stir and add salt and pepper to taste. Throw in your herbs and stir until combined. Finally add the cooked penne pasta and give it a good stir.


SOURCE:The Pioneer Woman, and This Mommy Cooks

Shrimp Scampi with Linguini

For years I have collected so many recipes and many of them I never get to! This is one I wrote down on a scratch piece of paper when I was teaching school and it has been in the back of my recipe binder since then. I've been trying to go through all my old recipes and throw out the ones I don't want and finally try the ones I do.

I'm glad I finally pulled this one out. It is very quick and easy and so tasty just with a few simple ingredients. It's great for a weeknight dinner.

1/2-3/4 lb. linguini
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large shallot
red pepper flakes
1 lb. shrimp, peeled & deveined (tail on or off, you choose)
salt and pepper
1/2 cup white cooking wine
1/2 lemon, juiced
fresh parsley

Cook pasta, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.

In skillet, melt 1 Tbsp. butter and 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute shallots, garlic, and red pepper flakes until shallots are translucent; about 3-4 minutes. Season shrimp with salt and pepper and add to pan. Cook until pink; about 2-3 minutes. Remove shrimp and set aside. Add wine, lemon juice and bring to a boil. Add remaining Tbsp. of butter and oil. When butter has melted, return shrimp to the pan along with parsley, cooked pasta and reserved pasta water. Stir well and season with salt and pepper.

4 Servings
Calories per serving: 445