Simple Tilapia with Jalapeno

This recipe is inspired by a recipe by Ina Garten (one of my idols) called 'Sole Meuniere.'  I usually like foods with a lot of flavor so i changed it up and my family loved it. Its a simple dish and dosent require a lot of cooking time.

The fish that I used is frozen tilapia. It is very nice and flaky when thawed and cooked, even though it was frozen previously.

I used canned jalapenos. It is lovely when in sandwiches and other dishes. Even the liquid that comes with the jalapenos is mucho flavorful. Its worth trying.

SIMPLE TILAPIA WITH JALAPENOS

Ingredients:

1. Tilapia Fillets (3)
2. All purpose flour (3/4 cup)
3. Lemon (4 tsp per fillet, 3-4 medium lemons)
4. Jalapeno (2-3 as per taste)
5. Oregano (1 tsp)
6. Chili powder (1tsp, optional)
7. Salt, pepper (to taste)
8. Garlic (3 cloves, medium)
9. Oil

Method:
Get the dry ingredients (2,5,6,7) ready and mix them

Pat dry the fish with a paper towel. Then sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.
Place the fish over the flour mixture and coat on both sides

Next heat oil in a pan (use as little as possible, i think i used about 1-2tsp for each fillet.

Add finely crushed garlic

Make sure that the garlic doesn't brown. Just after 30 seconds add the fish. The gas should be at about medium heat

After 7-10 minutes flip to the other side. You will notice that the garlic is crispy and brown

After 5 minutes, add 2 tsp of lemon and sliced jalapenos (i also added the liquid that came with the jalapenos)

Let it cook for another 5minutes. During this time make sure the jalapenos do not burn. Stir around the jalapenos during this time. If they come close to burning/over-cooking, just gather them and place it on the upper side of the fish

Season with salt and pepper 

Flip again and then add the other 2 tsp lemon. cook for about 3-5mins

 Finally, the fish can be paired with brown rice and/or mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables

Yummy Sushi

Just a quick post on a foodventure trip that i made to Yummy Sushi at Ewing, NJ. This was my second venture and i was very pleased with what pbear and I got.

Shrimp Gyoza: very light and flavorful. The dipping sauce was a nice complement to it

 Calamari Tempura (I forget the japanese name): It was very crunchy and the calamari wasn't overdone. The spicy mayo was amazing with it!

 Lady in Red: sushi with shrimp tempura inside and salmon on top.

 Not sure what its called, but we liked it... ;)

Stress correlation

So past few weeks have been really busy and stressful. One after another there was something that came up. I think most of it is over now and I can finally get back to the regular schedule....hopefully. Ah ... how I miss having a schedule, just a plain old schedule. Stress is correlated to so many consequential effects that I cant even start to talk about it. But one thing though that stands out the most is that my bad eating habits are directly proportional to stress. The most stress I have, the more I falter and eat. Usually, I eat a lot of Chinese food (fast food kind) when I am stressed. Its gotten to a point that I correlate Chinese food with stress. When I'm in a good mood, Chinese food is like ehh.. more like nooo... I guess that can be a good thing...i think.

I do think eating should be an activity where savoring and enjoying are the necessary requirements for it. But also for that requirement to fullfilled, the stress factor should be eliminated from the face of the earth.. haha...just kidding. It think it is possible even with stress. I think ;)

Over the weeks, I did some cooking and photography so there are plenty of recipes to share. The recipe today is for a simple tuna fried rice with and Indian flavor. The star ingredient used is a 'curry leaf' (more info here --> curry). There are small green leaves that are widely used in South India for seasoning various curries and stews. What basil is to Italian cuisine, curry leaf is to south Indian cuisine.

Oh ..... and just for those wondering, the 'curry powder' used in traditional American and British markets do not have any curry leaf.

TUNA FRIED RICE WITH OLIVES

Ingredients:

1. Tuna (canned, I used the one with oil)
2. Brown/White rice (1 cup)
3. Onion (1/2 medium, cut into small cubes)
4. Mustard seeds (1 tsp)
5. Curry Leaves (3, cut into half)
6. Green Olives (according to taste, separated from the liquid)
7. Salt & Pepper
8. Oil (1.5 tsp)

Method:
Get the ingredients ready

In a pan, pour oil. Heat. Add the mustard seeds to the oil. Heat until the seeds sputter.
Add Curry leaves and saute for a minute in medium heat. Make sure it does not burn or turn brown.

Add the onions. Saute until it turns transparent

Open the tuna can and drain the excess liquid. Throw in the tuna in the pan

Add some diced olives to the pan and saute.

After a minute add some black pepper and salt to taste. Stir

After two minutes add the cooked rice. Stir for about 3-5 minutes and serve

There is also an option to add ketchup or hot-sauce while cooking, but i prefer it on the side.