Recipe of the week: Cilantro Lime Talapia

We love fish tacos at our house.  I used to cook talapia on the grill but the last few times I've done it in my big cast iron pan.  I served this with corn tortillas, cabbage, lime and salsa.  You can add cheese or guacamole if you like.  I make a little sauce for mine.  You can make these as fancy or as simple as you like.  This recipe is also great served with grilled vegetables or just a green salad.  A Vorte Sante!

Fish:

1 lb Talapia fillets  (you might want to do more if you have more than 3 people eating)
1/2 to 1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 bunch of cilantro
2 limes
chipotle powder
canned sliced jalapenos
salt and pepper to taste

If your fish is still frozen that's not a big deal, you just have to cook it for a few extra minutes.  Heat up your pan (I use a big cast iron one) and add the olive oil.  Add the fish fillets and sprinkle with salt, pepper and chipotle.  Cut your lime in half and squeeze over the fish, (I cook mine with the halved lime) add about 2 Tbsp of cilantro leaves, throw and a few slices of the jalapeno, cover and cook about 3 minutes.  Turn over, slightly reseason and cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the fish is white and flaky, this will take a couple extra minutes if you start with frozen fish.

Sauce:

1 Tbsp olive oil mayonnaise
1 Tbsp vinegar (red wine or white wine)
a dash of chipotle powder or red pepper flakes

Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside in the refrigerator until you're ready to put your tacos together.  Smear a little sauce on your tortilla, add fish, cabbage, a squeeze of lime and a little salsa....a masterpiece!  Enjoy =)

Recipe of the week: Chocolate Cupcakes with Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

I don't eat a lot of sugar these days, but once in a while I want something sweet.  I like cupcakes but I think that boxed cake and canned frosting is gross.  Once you've had cake and frosting from scratch you won't ever want the boxed/canned stuff again.  My philosophy is that if you're eating healthy 80% of the time, then a little chocolate and sugar won't hurt from time to time.  I hope you enjoy this.  A Votre Sante!

For the cupcakes:

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup butter softened (1 stick)

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Mix the flour and the baking soda in a bowl and set aside.  In a double boiler melt the chocolate over low heat.  In a large bowl, or stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth.  Add both sugars and beat until fluffy, add one egg at a time, mixing well.  Add melted chocolate and vanilla.  Add half the dry ingredients, then half the buttermilk, repeat, until the batter is smooth but not overmixed.  Spoon batter into 12 cupcake liners.  Bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.  Cool for at least 20 minutes before frosting.

Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

6 Tbsp butter
1 cup powdered sugar
5 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp vanilla
2-3 Tbsp milk

Cream butter, add sugar, cocoa and vanilla to the butter.  Add milk to the butter mixture. Slowly add milk one tablespoon at a time until you have the desired consistency.  Enjoy!