Basa Fish, Something New!

A Fish and a Sponge...

I was in my favorite Asian market to pick up some plaintains and black eyed peas and got sucked in by an offering of a free sample of basa fish.  Basa fish? What is that?!  I had never heard of it but it tasted really good and I bought some.  I think you should buy some too because it was just lovely and a nice change from the usual line up.

Wisegeek.com states, "Known for its mild taste and white, flaky meat, the basa fish is beginning to challenge other sorts of catfish around the world as the preferred food catfish. The method of raising the catfish in the Mekong River has helped it create a following among those who like fish. Most feel the basa fish has a "cleaner" taste than most other forms of farm-raised fish, because of new water constantly flowing in to their pens."

I made it the same way the woman in the store made it with just 3 ingredients, 5 including the oil and the fish itself but you know what I mean.  Here it is.

Pan Fried Basa Fish
2 lbs of Basa Fish
Garlic Salt
Ground Black Pepper
Tempura Powder
Oil for frying
Season fish with garlic salt and black pepper, lightly coat with tempura powder and fry in a hot skillet with about 1/4 cup of vegetable or canola oil. Fry on both sides approximately 4 minutes per sides and enjoy!  I didn't put any sauce or hot sauce or anything on this. It was good as is.  I was really skeptical in the market when the woman said she only used garlic salt and pepper. You can fry one piece and taste it and see if you would want more or less of the garlic salt and pepper if you're not sure how much to use.  I just sprinkled both sides and it worked out well.

These aren't the prettiest pieces that I planned to photograph. Those got gobbled up by two hungry ballerinas straight out of the pan.  I know, I know, blot the excess oil. My daughter took these out of the pan so it was either these or nothing.

Meet my new dishwashing assistant! I found this sponge at Ross and thought it was just too cute.  It has caused one of my daughter to continually volunteer to wash dishes.  I think she has a crush!



Here is the packaging it came in and here is the link to buy it online if you don't have a store near you.  http://www.amazon.co.uk/Paladone-Disco-King-Washing-Sponge/dp/B005J33HRG

What I had (Blueberry Quinoa Oatmeal) vs What I wanted (Breakfast Pizza)

I've been away for a bit. I found myself so consumed with day to day life and all the while, I was really wanting to write entries concerning my road trip to Ohio, my great thrift store finds and some food reviews.   I was so overwhelmed that I found myself not doing anything because I just couldn't find the time or energy so I have decided to start back on a smaller scale and eventually get to the entries about Ohio and thrift store finds later.

I went to make breakfast yesterday morning and saw some leftover quinoa in the fridge which reminded me of some baby food that I had just purchased from Target and I decided to make a version for myself.  That is the, "what I had" of this entry.  What I WANTED was a breakfast pizza that I made for my hubby to go along with a very yummy smoothie.  It looked delish and according to him, it was "very good."  I didn't enjoy one along with him because after a Dr's appointment, I got a gentle reminder that I really need to let go of this "baby" weight.  How much longer can I say, "I just had a baby" before the jig is up?  So here they are, I hope you try them and I hope you enjoy them.  Oh and I added a nifty sandwich at the end because I didn't want the meatball subs that I made for dinner so I made a "fancy" ham sandwich.  Here goes.....

Blueberry Quinoa Oatmeal
Old fashioned Oats
Organic Tri-Color quinoa
Organic Vanilla Sugar
Organic Agave Nectar
Cinnamon
Frozen Blueberries


Make oatmeal according to directions or to your liking.  Add leftover cooked quinoa, as little or as much as you like according to how much oatmeal. I used approximately a 2:1 ratio.  Add in a teaspoon of the sugar and 1 teaspoon or cinnamon or to taste.  Top with blueberries and a drizzle of the the agave nectar, stir and enjoy.  This recipe is a good base but you can dress it up however you like. I may try strawberries and bananas next time.

The inspiration for the oatmeal.

Yellow Eggs and Ham Breakfast Pizza with a Dash of Green
1 Seven Inch flat bread aka pocketless Pita
2 beaten eggs with a dash of black pepper
3 Tbsp of Tomato Sauce
3 Tbsps of Salsa
1 Slice American Cheese
1/4 cup of Shredded Mozzarella
3 slices of deli ham
Green onions for garnish (and taste)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Scramble eggs but keep them slightly runny so they will finish cooking in the oven.  Mix the tomato sauce (I used leftover pizza sauce I made the day before) and salsa and spread on bread. Cut up the American cheese and put on top of sauce followed by the scrambled eggs and then the ham. I just tore the ham into smaller pieces because I didn't have time to do otherwise.  Sprinkle with the mozzarella and place in your preheated oven until bread is slightly brown around the edges and the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes (at least in my oven).  Remove from oven when done and top with chopped green onions and eat!!

The variations on this are endless and I plan to experiment with different combinations.  For hubby of course, not me. :)

One Pinkie in the Air Ham Sandwich
Take and Bake Mini Baguette
Whole Grain Mustard
Bread and Butter Pickles
Onion Confit
New Zealand Grass Fed Cheddar Cheese(the cow was grass fed not the cheese)
Deli Ham

Bake the bread according to instructions. Split open your bread and spread the bottom with 1 teaspoon of the mustard and the top half with the onion confit.  If you can't find onion confit you can use caramelized onions. My hubby bought me some when he was in Paris so I'm not sure if you can find it in a fancy food shop or I guess you can find a recipe and make it yourself.  Add ham, slices of your cheese and toast in oven at 350 until cheese is melted.  Add your pickles, slice and eat.  Simple and Delicious.

Maple Banana Nutella Pancakes and Iced Coffee

Pancakes worth every bite...

Today I woke up inspired by a giant box of Bisquick mix that a friend gave me, some overripe bananas and a craving for some Nutella. And so the natural thing is to combine these things and come up with a yummy breakfast that everyone could enjoy.  This recipe could really impress your family because the pancakes, although semi-homemade, were fluffy and light with a wonderful hint of banana and maple and who doesn't love Nutella?  I accompanied this meal with a wonderful mocha iced coffee with the last bit of my cold brewed coffee concentrate and my dream cream.  Enjoy.

Delightfully Delicious Maple Banana Nutella Pancakes

Ingredients
2 cups of Bisquick Mix
2 large eggs
1 Cup Milk
1/2 tsp of Maple Extract
1 smashed up overripe medium sized banana
Nutella(you determine the amount)
Butter
Maple Syrup to serve

Combine 2 cups of Bisquick Mix, 2 large eggs and 1 cup of milk into bowl

Take one overripe banana and smash with a fork and gently fold into pancake batter

Add 1/2 tsp of Maple extract and mix in (I hang my head in shame because I'm using imitation).

Let your batter rest for 5 minutes and place Nutella into "plunger" or you can use a Ziploc bag with the tip cut off and use like a pastry bag.  You will use this to add your Nutella on your pancakes as they cook or you can just spread your Nutella on your pancake when it's done to save a step and some time.  I had to do this with mine because I was busy talking to my girls about arguing over the computer and I forgot to put the Nutella in the first two pancakes.

Butter your skillet let it get hot and add a ladle full of pancake batter

Take your plunger or Nutella filled pastry bag and add as little or as much Nutella as you would like.

I put an "S" for my daughter Sydney.  Look at that creamy Nutella...mmmm!!

Drizzle with Maple Syrup (I used 100% pure Maple Syrup, no imitation)!  The Nutella got just a tad crispy on the outside but still hot and gooey on the inside. I would just swirl it all over if I were you or just add little drops of it like chocolate chips.  If you add a lot of Nutella just eat one instead of two, your waistline will thank you.  This recipe made about 10 pancakes.  I didn't tell my kids that I put banana in it and my picky Sydney noted about halfway through finishing her first one that she tasted banana, I just smirked and said, "you like it, right?"  She liked it!

 My Homemade and Cheaper than Starbucks Mocha Iced Coffee

Here I have my coffee concentrate that I made using the Toddy Cold Brew System that I purchased at Williams-Sonoma for $34.99.  I love the cold brewing because the coffee is milder and takes out about 67% of the acidity compared to hot water brewing.  I also have my dream cream which is 1 (14 oz) can of sweetened condensed milk and 1 (12oz) can of evaporated milk along with 1/4 cup of half and half.  And in honor of Starbucks, I partake of this deliciousness in my Starbucks cup half filled with ice.

I use about equal parts coffee concentrate and dream cream and then add just a splash of low fat milk.  I don't know why I do that, I just do.  And since the concentrate is a much stronger flavor you may also choose to a little cold water to dilute it to your liking.

Add a drizzle or more of chocolate syrup and stir, stir, stir!!

The Perfect Color!

I think this will be enough caffeine to get me through laundry, cleaning, cooking, shopping and packing for my trip tomorrow.

Day Seven (7)...Donut Breakfast Sandwich and Fruit!

It's the end of my experiment and I'm quite pleased with the results.  I know technically yesterday was the last day but I didn't have time to post.  It was just one of those days.  We started the morning with hubby going out and bringing a dozen donuts home when he was only supposed to be buying diapers.  Doesn't he know I'm still reeling from the "are you pregnant" comments?  Needless to say, as he was rushing out to church and was in need of being fed, I needed to get him something quick.  I was going to the later service with my younger daughter so I had time to kill.  Well, in honor of Paula Deen, I cut the donut in half, toasted the inner side and topped it with a sausage patty and a fried egg with cheese.  I know, I know, I can hear the whispers of disapproval but it was a first and I just thought it would be fun.  I have seen her show several times where she makes a cheeseburger this way and I just really thought it was a great time to experiment. 

Later in the day, I cut up the my melons, mangoes, pineapple and some other veggies and did a combination of juicing and blending. After I juiced, I put the juice in the blender and added the mango and pineapple. Yummy.  I also took some of the fruit to a friends house where we were having a little pow wow.  And the top of pineapple I put in water to start to grow my pineapple (a project I saw on Pinterest but we'll talk about that later).  So here are a few pics from yesterday including one at the end with what I have left.  Enjoy and I'm going to hit the sack.  The whole family is feeling a little bit under the weather.  God bless!

Donut Breakfast Sandwich
1 glazed donut from your favorite bakery
1 fried egg
1 slice of American or Cheddar cheese
1 sausage patty or breakfast meat of your choice

Slice your donut in half and put in a dry skillet on med heat and toast the inside part of the donut.  Top glazed side with the fried egg and melted cheese and top with your breakfast meat.  Place one half of the donut bun on top, transfer to a plate and enjoy!

 Donut deliciousness.  Warning: eating this on a regular basis will cause weight gain and a host of other issues.  Everything in moderation. :)  And remember, sticky/glazed side in.

 The last major bit of my abundance of produce.  I really think that if I hadn't done this 7 day experiment that a lot of this would have ended up in the trash can.  I am certainly more aware of ways to enjoy a little of this and too much of that.

I have two sweet potatoes left that I will use to make a sweet potato hash or I will use it for baby food.  The clementines will be eaten just as they are and the overripe bananas will be peeled and frozen to use in smoothies.

Day Six (6)...LOT, TMOT...Pregnant?? Really?! MILKSHAKE!!!

The "No, I'm not pregnant just a little fat milkshake..."

On this busy Saturday there was not much going on in the kitchen.  Our family had a full day of activites planned.  A mother daughter tea party at noon, a baby shower, abirthday party and a whole lot of driving back and forth.  We spent over 3 hours just driving here and there, picking up and dropping off.   My plan for today was to start a collage project that I discovered on Pinterest but I completely forgot at the time that I wouldn't be home much today.  I guess that will wait until Monday because Sunday is not a day for craft projects around my house.  It's church in the morning and then chill out time for the rest of the day.

Before the craziness that was our day began, my hubby suggested we go to this restaurant called, "Al Carbon."  He had gone there last week and had a steak and eggs breakfast and wanted to take us there.  It's a little hole in wall and the food is cheap and good. I took pics of course!  And because I didn't want the kitchen to feel totally abandoned today after showing it so much love with my 3 batches of jam yesterday, I decided to concoct a milkshake in honor of two women.  Two women who asked me if I was pregnant today.  I know, devastating isn't it?  One of the ladies even told me, "you better get it together because no man likes a woman who isn't in shape."  I very calmly let her know that I was just the mother of 4 big babies all delivered by c-section and the most recent just 8 months ago and that I was going to pretend I didn't hear that and walk away.  I honestly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.  Oh well, I guess I better look into that gym membership again.  And so I name this the, "No, I'm not pregnant just a little fat milkshake."