Garlic Butter Tilapia

On March 5, 2018 By RachelWIn RecipesLeave a comment

Cooking fish for the first time can be a little intimidating; I’d probably been on my own a few years before I tried any sort of fish recipe. This garlic butter tilapia is an easy, flavorful recipe that can be used on a weeknight for a quick dinner or a special dinner. Tilapia is a very mild fish and not very fishy tasting.

Total time – 25 minutes (10 min Prep + 15 bake)

Preheat oven to 450.
Melt butter in small sauce pan. Add garlic & sauté for 1-2 min on low.
Add white wine & 1 TBSP lemon juice. Stir to combine and remove from heat.
Spray pan with cooking spray & drizzle with lemon juice.
Arrange fish in pan. Sprinkle with Italian seasonings, add salt & pepper to taste. I prefer to use freshly ground pepper & coarse sea salt.
Drizzle garlic butter over fish & into the pan.
Bake 15 min or until done. As soon as you pull the fish out of the oven sprinkle with a bit of Parmesan cheese.
Serve with brown rice and a vegetable.

Garlic Butter Tilapia

3-4 Tilapia filets
2 1/2 TBSP Butter
8 cloves minced garlic
1 TBSP Lemon Juice + juice for drizzling
1 TBSP White Wine
1 TBSP Italian Seasonings
Salt & Pepper to taste
Parmesan cheese

Independence Day #TX182

On March 4, 2018 By RachelWIn Party, TexasLeave a comment

I spent two and a half years living in north Texas and if I learned anything during those years, it is that Texans take great pride in their state and its history. March 2 is Independence Day, this year marked 182 years of independence from Mexico. Remember the Alamo?

We moved away from Texas and make our home in The Good Life, but that doesn’t stop us from celebrating. My husband is native to Texas, March 2 is more of a religious holiday for him.

We hosted our first party for this historic day, inviting native Nebraskans for Tacos, Blue Bell ice cream floats and Texas Sheet Cake Cupcakes. Mae even enjoyed part of the festivities before we did her bedtime routine. Independence Day can wear a girl out.

Having nine adults in our tiny house for dinner turned out better then I thought. We know what to do differently next year and have made those notes (too much rice & beans). We kept the pre party stage fairly simple: chips & salsa with sangria or beer. Dinner was a taco bar. We made the meat earlier and kept it warm in the crockpot. That made our tacos a bit spicer the usual. Taco topping were in bowls on the counter next to the meat & tortillas.

Dessert was Texas Sheet cake cupcakes. We also served a Texas staple of vanilla Blue Bell ice cream and Big Red cream soda. Side note: why is Big Red soda not more popular in Nebraska?!

I even kept our table decor easy. Our six flags of Texas & star center piece on top of a Texas printed towel. Chips & salsa next to that. It left space for guests to sit drinks & their plates.

Happy Independence Day from the Texas Embassy to Aksarben!

Pesto Chicken Pizza

On February 26, 2018February 27, 2018 By RachelWIn RecipesLeave a comment

Who doesn’t love pizza for dinner? While searching Pinterest one night for dinner inspiration, I came across a pesto pizza recipe. The problem, I didn’t have half of the 20+ ingredient list. A few nights later, I made this pizza and never went back to the Pinterest one.

A few months later, my brother was in town and I made it for him. He even said it was good. Even better, he called later and asked for the recipe!

Preheat Oven to 400

Prep time – 20 min (includes prebake & microwave time for bacon)

Bake time – 10 min

Roll out pizza crust & sprinkle with Italian seasoning. Prebake for 8 min.
Spread pesto on crust. I use the back of a spoon.
Layer on bacon, chicken & cheese.
Bake for 6-10 min.

Chicken Pesto Pizza

1 Refrigerated Pizza Crust (I like thin crust)

Italtion Seasonings to taste

1 cup prepared Pesto

1 cup cooked chicken (I buy precooked)

1-2 cups pizza cheese

Chopped red onion (optional)

Butter Biscuits

On February 25, 2018February 25, 2018 By RachelWIn RecipesLeave a comment

Moving into my first apartment many years ago, I missed my Dad’s biscuits. He made them maybe once a month and they were so good. Over the years, I’ve developed my own recipe, similar to his.

What great about my recipe, is that it’s easy, made with just Bisquick, milk & butter.

Preheat your oven to 450.

Mix Bisquick and milk until dough forms. Turn out on floured (I just use more Bisquick) surface and knead 10 times.
Roll dough to half inch thickness.
Butter step – you can go about this two ways: Grate frozen butter or slice butter into thin slices.
You will create a few layers. Once you butter, fold the dough in half and roll out again.
Repeat butter step 2-4 times.
Cut dough into biscuits. I use a wine glass for my perfect size.
Bake for 8-10 minutes.
Serve plain, with more butter, jelly or honey.