A REASON TO RUN

Friday, July 12, 2013

Fish Tacos

 
 
Because I grew up on the South American Pacific Coast, in Viña del Mar, Chile, I ate freshly caught fish at least once a week. I love fish in most any form, shape, or size. Seafood in general makes me happy. That is one of the reasons I love this dish so much. I also love it because it houses two other of my taste bud, and childhood belly happiness triggers: avocado and cilantro.
 
Oh! the joys of a fresh summer dish!

 
 
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The secret to a great Fish Taco is in the slaw, otherwise all you have is a piece is fish wrapped in a corn tortilla. I'm always searching for the greatest Fish Taco. My favorite restaurant Fish Taco is at a local joint here in McKinney, where I live. My favorite homemade Fish Tacos are these. Since you probably don't live here, and you are in the mood for a delicious homemade meal (otherwise you wouldn't be here, right?), I suggest that you run to the grocery store, purchase these ingredients, and make yourself and your family some killer yummy slaw.
 
 
 
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Fish Tacos
 
olive oil
tilapia fillets
*Corn tortillas
 
 
Slaw
 
1 bag of slaw
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 tbsp. white wine vinegar
1 chipotle pepper (in adobo sauce)
1 tsp. adobo sauce 
pinch of salt
1big handful of cilantro

once your taco is assembled add a touch of lime and some avocado (it's optional, but not really)


Make your slaw in the morning.
The day I took these pictures I made the slaw with slightly more sour cream and mayonnaise. I thought  it turned out too creamy, so I adjusted the amounts in the listed recipe. If it isn't creamy enough for you, you can always add more, but you can never take it out. Remember that when you first make slaw (of any kind) it never looks like there is enough mayonnaise in it. It does, trust me,  just give it a few hours to settle and you will see.
Also, if you want a more "healthy" version, you can substitute fat free plain yogurt for the sour cream, and a low fat mayonnaise. I personally like this version way better, and I would rather eat less of it than more of the "not as yummy" version.
 


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I forgot to add cilantro before taking the previous picture. Chop up your cilantro good and add it to the slaw.


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I love making this dish in the summer. Because once I have the slaw made, all I have to do in the evening is sauté my fish in olive oil and warm up some tortillas. It is a super fast dish for my family to enjoy after a long day at the water park.

* I failed to photograph them, but I found some great, new tortillas made by Mission. They are called: Artisan Style Tortillas, Corn and Whole Wheat Blend. I like them because they don't tear as soon as you fold them. They have a mild corn taste, and as the package sais, they are "softer and foldable". Try them. Or, you can use regular corn tortillas. Just don't come crying to me when you take your first bite and the whole thing falls apart.



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Stay satisfied, my friends!






Wednesday, July 10, 2013

what i wore wednesday #8 CRUISE EDITION


June 23rd - June 30th I was aboard the Carnival Magic Cruise ship on an unforgettable 7 day voyage that took us to Montego Bay, Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island and Cozumel, Mexico.

I may later share some pictures and tales from my vacation, but since I took over 600 pictures -can you believe it?!- it may be a while before I can narrow them down for you. In the meantime I will give you a sneak peak at what I wore to dinner every night. I packed a suitcase and a half of clothes and 8 pair of shoes for a seven day trip. How does that work? Well, as it turns out, most of those clothes were "just in case" clothes anyway, and most days I hung out in my bathing suit all day anyway!

Let me also say that as the self proclaimed photographer of this 7 day event, the odds of getting me into a picture were quite small. Thankfully my son Isaac loves to be given the camera, and is always a willing protégé to his crazy mom that will only allow him to lay hands on the camera if it is securely wrapped around his neck.

With no further ado, here is my what I wore to dinner on my Cruise vacation:

 
 
 
First Evening


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Shirt: Old Navy; White Jeans: Old Navy; Shoes: Franco Sarto (via DSW); Necklace and Earrings: Target


 
 
Second Evening
First "formal" dinner


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Dress: American Eagle (via Ross); Shoes: Franco Sarto (via DSW)
 
 
I don't exactly remember why, but I didn't get a picture taken the third night. I recon it was because we spent the day in Montego Bay and we were in quite a rush to get ready for dinner once we got back on the ship.
 
Forth Evening
 
I must let you know that on the 4th day we were in Grand Cayman. Our family chartered a boat that took us out to swim with sting rays, and then on to do some snorkeling. I had, up until that point, not had any sea sickness issues at all. But once we got onto the small charter boat and got to bobbing in the Caribbean waters, I got sick like I NEVER have in my life. OH MY! Our charter Captain seemed to think that perhaps I had swallowed some salt water while swimming with the sting rays. By the time we got to the reef, I was so miserable, I was crying, and the proceeded to expel what little breakfast was left in my stomach. Although it helped, I was mostly beyond repair by then. The one thing that I had looked forward to the most, snorkeling, was no longer going to be the best memory from my voyage.
After boarding the ship I felt much better, and then even better yet after downing a nice cold ginger ale. Try as I may to doctor up this next photo, I have not been able to wipe off the look of death off my face. I really didn't want to post this picture, but I love the dress so much, that I just couldn't not show it off. so here is the forth evening:


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Dress: Banana Republic Outlet



Although my previous dress got lots of compliments, the next outfit won the prize in the WOW department. I was feeling and looking a lot better too.

 
Fifth Evening

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Shirt: LOFT; Linen pants: Old Navy ($8 clearance last fall!!); Earrings: Target; Shoes: Ross


 
Sixth Evening
Second "formal" evening

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Linen Skirt: LOFT; Sequin shirt: J.Crew Outlet; Shoes: Ross Necklace and earrings: Vera Wang, Kohls 



Seventh and final Evening
 

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Dress: Ross; Necklace and earrings: Target

 
 
 
 And now, here are a few of my favorite touristy pictures of the family.
 
 
 
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 Montego Bay, Jamaica.

 
 
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Grand Cayman Island



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Cozumel, Mexico


And my favorite picture of all: Fidel Castro and I met up in Cozumel and got a little fresh with each other!


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Cozumel, Mexico. Shirt: LOFT; Shorts: J.Crew Outlet; Earrings: Target