Fish Tacos

Not much to this recipe other than the fresh guacamole from previous blog (http://hschenck.blogspot.com/2009/01/fresh-guacamole.html).

You will need:

-2-3 tilapia fillets

-2 limes

-taco seasoning

-salt/pepper

1. Marinate tilapia fillets in the juice of 2 limes, 1 tablespoon taco seasoning, and salt and pepper for at least an hour.

2. Grill tilapia (I use my George Foreman grill) and serve in taco shells (i like the blue corn shells) topped with fresh guacamole and other toppings of choice. 

Fresh Guacamole

You will need:

-2 avocados

-1 large tomato

-1 lime

-1/2 red onion

-1/2 cup chopped FRESH cilantro

-1 clove minced garlic*

-1 tsp salt

1. Dice tomato and onion. In a bowl, mix in with garlic, salt, and chopped cilantro.

2. Squeeze lime juice over everything, and mix.

3. Cube avocados, and add last. Fold into other ingredients gently - otherwise, things get mushy.

Enjoy with tortilla chips, on top of salad, or fish tacos (see recipe)

Easy Pasta Fagioli Soup

I got this recipe from Food Network's Giada de Laurentis.

you will need:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
  
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 (26-ounce) jar marinara sauce (recommended: San Marzano brand)
• 2 (14-ounce) cans chicken broth (or vegetable for vegetarian style)
• 1 (15-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup pastina pasta (or any other small pasta - I use Ditalini)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 
  

Directions:

Warm the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the carrots, onion, and garlic and saute until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the jar of marinara sauce, chicken broth, cannellini beans, red pepper flakes, pasta, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. Ladle into bowls and serve.

Tortellini-Basil Soup

You will need:
-4 cups chicken brother (sub vegetable broth to make this one vegetarian)
-1 can Cannellini beans, drained
-1/2 cup shredded FRESH basil
-1/4 tsp salt
-2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
-1 (9 oz) package of any fresh cheese-filled tortellini, uncooked (I use DiGiorno mozzerella-garlic)
-1 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
-2 tbspns balsamic vinegar
-2 cloves garlic

1. Sautee garlic in olive oil in the bottom of a pot large enough to cook the soup in.
2. Add broth and bring to a boil, then add tortellini and cook 5-6 minutes.
3. Stir in tomatoes and beans. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
4. In a small bowl, stir basil, parmesan, salt, and vinegar together. Add to soup once it has been removed from heat.

Vegetable Casserole

You will need:
-1 diced red bell pepper
-1 diced onion
-4 stalks diced celery
-2-4 minced cloves of garlic

-1 packet Good Seasons brand italian dressing mix 

-1 can peas
-1 can of corn
-1 8oz carton of low fat sour cream
-1 can of cream of celery

-1 round of Ritz brand crackers

-half stick of butter

1.Sautee onion, garlic, red pepper, and celery in olive oil and italian dressing packet until all vegetables are soft (about 5 minutes)
2.Add entire cans of corn and peas, along with cream of celery and the sour cream. mix thoroughly, and place in a 9x12 casserole dish.
3.Melt butter in a pan and stir in crushed ritz crackers. Pour evenly over the top of the casserole.

4. Bake at 350 until bubbly (about 20 minutes)

Ginger-Garlic Stir Fry Sauce

This is a great sauce for any type of stir-fry.

You will need:
-2/3 cup soy sauce
-1/2 cup chicken broth (or vegetable for vegetarian style)
-1/3 cup rice wine vinegar
-3 tablespoons sugar
-1 tablespoon sesame oil
-1/4 tsp pepper
-2 tablespoons cooking oil
-2 cloves garlic
-1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
-2 tablespoons cornstarch dissolved in 1/4 cup water

1. Saute garlic and ginger in cooking oil.
2. Add all other ingredients except for cornstarch/water mixture. Bring to a boil.
3. Add cornstarch/water mixture and reduce heat and simmer until thickened.

Mixed Winter Vegetable Soup

You will need:
-2 tablespoons olive oil
-1 onion
-3 cloves garlic
-2 leeks (white part only)
-1-2 cups diced smoked turkey sausage (not as greasy as regular sausage, tastes better)
-one 32 oz container of chicken broth
-one can diced tomatoes
-2 medium parsnips (or carrots) peeled and diced
-1/2 sweet potato peeled and diced

1. Sautee onion, garlic, leeks, parsnips, and sweet potato in olive oil until softened.
2. Add sausage, sautee for 3-4 minutes.
3. Add chicken broth and tomatoes, bring to a boil, and reduce heat and simmer for at least 45 minutes or more.

Vegetarian "Veggie" Tacos

You will need:
-one onion
-one bell pepper (any color)
-one package Morning Star Farm brand "grillers" or Quorn brand is also very good. This product resembles ground beef and is usually in the frozen section.
-one tablespoon taco seasoning
-roughly 2 cups salsa of choice
-one cup corn or mexicorn*
-one cup black beans*

*optional

also, you will need any choice of toppings and soft taco shells.

1. In a very large skillet, Sautee onion and bell pepper over medium heat until soft (4-5 min)
2. Add entire bag of 'grillers' cook until heated (about 2-3 min).
3. Add taco seasoning, salsa, corn, and black beans. Stir until everything is blended, and heated throughly (2-3 min).
4. Fill taco shells with taco mixture, and top with anything! I like cheese, lettuce, sour cream, and jalopenos.