Quick fish tacos

I always want to try and make fish tacos, but it's kind of hard because M hates fish baked/pan fried/boiled or grilled fish. He likes it deep fried, like a true Southern man. One day I will try the healthier version but until then these make a great substitute.

Ingredients:

1-2 box of frozen battered fish (any brand, you need around 16 pieces)
1 bag of shredded cabbage mix w/carrots
8 corn or flour tortillas
2 limes
Pink Chili Mayo (recipe follows)

Directions:

Bake your fish as directed on the box. I bake enough for each person to have 2-3 tacos and one piece of fish on each taco.

Heat a dry cast iron skillet over medium heat or you can do this in the microwave. If you do it in the microwave, place the tortillas around a plate and place a damp papertowel and heat for 30 seconds. Warm a corn tortilla in the pan until it softens, about 30 seconds. Place a fish strip on it, top with some of the cabbage mix, and a big dollop of Pink Chili Mayo. Squeeze on some lime juice, roll up, and eat!

Pink Chili Mayo:

1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
1 1/2 cups sour cream
2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Juice 1/2 lime
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Put the mayonnaise, sour cream, peppers, and lime juice in a blender and process to a puree. Refrigerate the mayo for 1/2 hour to let the flavors to blend; taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

M and I love these tacos. When I made the Pink chili mayo, it made a lot more than needed, so I recommend making half unless you plan on eating a lot of fish tacos soon.

Cajun Jambalaya

Ingredients:

12 medium shrimp, peeled, deveined and chopped
4 ounces chicken, diced
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, recipe follows
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3/4 cup rice
3 cups chicken stock
5 ounces Andouille sausage, sliced
Salt and pepper

Directions:

In a bowl combine shrimp, chicken and Creole seasoning, and work in seasoning well. In a large saucepan heat oil over high heat with onion, pepper and celery, 3 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, Worcestershire and hot sauces. Stir in rice and slowly add broth. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. When rice is just tender add shrimp and chicken mixture and sausage. Cook until meat is done, about 10 minutes more. Season to taste with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning.

Emeril's ESSENCE Creole Seasoning:

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Yield: 2/3 cup

This recipe has a lot of flavor. To add more of a bite I add a couple more teaspoons of hot sauce. M and I love this recipe and eat it at least once a month.

Coconut shrimp with Orange Marmalade

Ingredients:

2 cups shredded sweetened coconut
2 cups bread crumbs
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour
4 large eggs, beaten
24 large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Vegetable oil, for frying ( I prefer peanut oil)

Dipping Sauce:
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1 to 2 tablespoons dark rum

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine coconut and bread crumbs and season with salt and pepper. Place flour, eggs, and bread crumb mixture into 3 separate bowls. Dredge the shrimp in flour and shake off excess. Next, dip the shrimp thoroughly in the egg and rub against the side of the bowl to lightly remove excess. Finally, coat the shrimp thoroughly with the bread crumb mixture. Lay out the shrimp so they do not touch on a parchment-lined baking sheet or platter until ready to fry. In a large Dutch oven, heat several inches of oil to 350 degrees F. Fry the shrimp in batches until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Be careful not to overcrowd shrimp in the oil while frying. Drain on paper towels.

Dipping Sauce: Heat the marmalade in a small saucepan over low heat. Thin with rum as desired.

M loves eating the shrimp and I love making this recipe. It is so easy and quick to make. If you don't like a sweet dipping sauce, I suggest Peanut Sauce in the Asian aisle. It is a spicy peanut sauce. Even eat it plain, it tastes that good.