I want to try to eat more fish. I’m more of a beef eater and Hubs is the chicken lover. Typical breast man. But I heard that fish is better for me than steak. Isn’t that always how it works? The stuff I like is never what I should be eating. Le sigh…

In the latest studies of fish-related health benefits, published Monday in the Archives of Ophthalmology, researchers found that eating fish rich in omega-3s reduced the risk of macular degeneration, the leading cause of age-related blindness. Omega-3s also show promise for reducing the risk of dementia, arthritis, asthma and kidney disease, the heart association reports.” (Source)

Blindness? YIKES! Seeing as my eyesight is terrible, (I started wearing glasses when I was 7 years old!), I figure I better get some more fish in my diet. It probably can’t hurt b/c my Lasik can only do so much. Actually I can already tell a difference in my right eye after 5 years. It’s not 20/20 anymore. It’s probably more like 20/40. Come on fish, work your magic!

I’m not sure if I ever mentioned that Hubs has arthritis. It’s not something he really likes to share with ppl. I think he doesn’t want ppl to define him by a chronic disease. But it’s not something he’s ashamed of either. He just takes his weekly injections and rolls with the punches. It probably wouldn’t hurt him to eat more fish too.

My Hubs doesn’t have anything against fish. He likes seafood. Although it does pain me that he doesn’t LOVE shrimp as much as I do. And he taunts me when he can eat lobster and I can’t! (I’m allergic) But if he could only eat one protein for the rest of his life it would be chicken. Only the white meat. So I decided to give him the choice with how I cooked this fish dinner. It was either between (1) mahi mahi tacos w avocado cream (I was hoping he’d pick this one) or (2) macadamia crusted mahi mahi. Obviously he went with option number 2.

Note to self: Don’t let Hubs choose if you already know what you want.

You’ll have to forgive me. Newb wife mistake. Won’t happen again.

Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi

Recipe adapted from La Bella Vita

Makes 4 servings
Calories per serving=273*

Ingredients:

4 six-ounce mahi mahi fresh fish fillets (I used 2-6oz mahi mahi fillets)
2 eggs, well beaten (I used 1 egg)
1/4 cup panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup crushed macadamia nuts
1/2 tsp grated fresh orange zest (or lemon) (I used blood orange zest)
1/2 tsp grated fresh lime zest
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp chopped fresh chives (I substituted with 1 green onion stalk, chopped)
1 tsp chopped fresh basil (I used about 3 tsp)
pinch of salt and pepper
2 tbsp butter for pan frying (I used olive oil)

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Prepare a baking pan lined with foil. Set aside.

In a large dish, stir to combine macadamia nuts, panko, orange and lime zest, chives, basil, salt and pepper for dipping fish. Place the eggs in a separate dish for dipping the fish.

Dip ONE SIDE of each mahi mahi fillets in the eggs. Dip that same side into the macadamia-panko mixture. Do not bread the rest of the fish fillet. In a buttered skillet on the stove, sear the fillets macadamia-panko side down for 3 minutes. (I seared mine for about <2 mins b/c it started to burn.) Turn the fillets over and sear for another 2 minutes on the other side.

Bake fillets in the oven for about 10 minutes or until fish is white (or your desired doneness).

I served with brown rice and asparagus.

ENJOY!

* Calories do not include my changes/substitutions

Husband rating: A
I was kinda surprised at how much he really liked this fish. He’s a simple man so I wasn’t sure if he’d take to all the spices and herbs. But he asked me for seconds and since I halved the recipe there were no seconds. I’ve never seen him look so sad. Poor Hubs. I abuse him so.

Wifey rating: A-
I liked this fish but it needed a little something else. The original recipe came with a papaya salsa so maybe I’ll have to make both next time. This time I added a little balsamic sauce for a kick.

I know that Dorie Greenspan named these cookies Thumbprints for Us Big Guys but I’m changing the name. I know that’s bold of me since it’s not MY recipe but I’m gonna take some liberties since this is MY blog. HA! From now on they will be called “The Cookies That Made My Home Owner’s Insurance Premium Go Down” Cookies. Ok maybe that’s a slight exaggeration but the insurance assessor that came by my house said that *IF* it was up to him, he would gladly take monthly payment in these cookies. I hope he gets promoted really fast! Because little does he know I got his words on my iPhone’s voice memo app. Muhahaha!

This week the Tuesday With Dorie Bakers are channeling their inner Cookie Monster hosted by Mike of Ugly Dude Food. You can find the complete recipe on his blog. I have a special place in my heart for Mike. (Hopefully his girlfriend isn’t the jealous type. *waving at Rachel*) If memory serves me correctly (which we all know is not something to bet on), he was the first official guy that joined the Tuesdays With Dorie baking group. And he has since then been paving the way for future guy baker/members. His experiences every week for the past year have continued to make me laugh and prove that guys can bake (or at least give it a valiant effort)! Much love for ya, UFD!

What I learned this week:
I really love the impact that Twitter has had on my baking esp from TWD bakers that provide me with hints, tips and tricks before and during my baking. It’s almost like being able to bake with them even though we are 1000s of miles away. Cheesy but true.

I have yet to capture a really awesome action shot of my mixer blending sugar+butter. This picture makes me dizzy just looking at it. Was anyone else kinda surprised that there were no eggs in this recipe?

Oh baby! That almond extract smelled so good. If someone made a perfume with that scent I’d buy it. Eau de Almond by Chanel. You heard it here first! (L) So did anyone else go bonkers looking for hazelnuts? I couldn’t find them anywhere! Are nuts like fruits and hazelnuts aren’t in season? So I subbed with almond meal. (R)

This picture is kind of a farce. I didn’t really use a round tsp to make each cookie ball. I used my digital scale instead. I’m OCD like that. Every ball weighed exactly 0.5oz. EXACTLY. (L) Since I have weird shaped thumbs and didn’t like how it make my thumbprint cookies look, I opted to use the back of my 1/4 tsp instead. Remember? Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. (R)

Pre-baked the cookies were all round and perfectly indented but post bake they didn’t spread much but puffed up a little so while the cookies were warm from the oven I used my 1/4 tsp to indent them again. Just don’t push too hard or the cookies will crack and break in half. RIP broken cookies. You’re safe in my belly now.

My favorite part was sprinkling powdered sugar over all the cookies. It was almost therapeutic.

I got kinda lazy at the end and decided to nuke my raspberry jam for 30 secs instead of boil in a saucepan. Oh and not to brag but… I am seriously in love with the picture of putting the jam in the cookie. *brag brag brag*

ENJOY!

Husband rating: A
He’s a jam fan so he really enjoyed these cookies. He told me that he felt like he could eat alot of these since they weren’t overly sweet. Maybe I shouldn’t tell him how much butter is in it, eh?

Wifey rating: A/A+
I wasn’t sure what I’d think about these cookies b/c I thought the cookie dough was kinda bland. I even added 1 tsp of salt to the cookie dough like Bridget of The Way The Cookie Crumbles suggested. I think it definitely needed the salt. But I still wasn’t that impressed. But add some powdered sugar and some nuked raspberry jam and you have yourself a winner! I honestly don’t think I’d try them with hazelnuts since I love the almond+raspberry flavor combo so much.

Other rating: A+
Tom (my insurance assessor) loved them and took some home for his wife and kids. I also shared the rest with my neighbors and they had nothing but good things to say between powder sugar-ed bites. Think milk commercial but with powdered sugar. All 60 cookies were gone within an hour.

Next week: Soft Chocolate and Raspberry Tart page 354

FOOTNOTE: As my last ditch attempt I have a proposition for all May hosts. I’d like to offer a bribe REWARD to the first TWD baker that picks the White Chocolate Brownies on page 110 in the month of May. I will buy you the next TWD cookbook. This is not a joke. I am dead serious. After May, I’m waving the white flag of surrender and will forever hold my peace.

I know it’s not impossible. It can be done. The formula seems simple. Eat right and exercise daily. Counting calories in and calories out.

But that’s easier said than done. Because it’s even easier to make excuses and eat fast food. So I’ve heard. *looking around innocently* Unfortunately the lbs slowly started adding back up on me after the wedding was over.

For the most part I accept and love myself (Can you blame me? I’m adorable!) but there are a few times a year that I feel guilty about the number I see when I step on the scale.

(1) Thanksgiving, (2) Christmas, (3) New Years, (4) Yesterday, (5) Tomorrow.

But I don’t have that “goal” that pushes me like my wedding did. Until now.

My friend, Kat of An Irish Girl Cooks, wrote in her blog about food blogs these days being 3/4 desserts and “straight up unhealthy”. Guilty as charged. I have a sweet tooth and I’m a self proclaimed carb-o-holic. Oh… and did I mention that my day job doesn’t require much moderate-to-intense exerciset? Not a good combination. So she challenged all her readers to blog something healthy at least 1x a week.

Challenge accepted. I can do 1x a week. Slow and steady wins the race.

I don’t know about you but I’m a numbers girl. So I decided to post calories for my healthy meal. I found this great calorie counter (here). You put in the ingredients of your recipe and it spits out the calories to the best of it’s database knowledge. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Maybe if I see the numbers that will motivate me to eat better. I can tell you that since California passed it’s Calorie Count Menu Law that requires restaurants to post calories on their menu for chains that have 20 or more locations has dramatically changed the way I order. FYI, did know that Claim Jumper’s Citrus Chicken Salad (I think that’s the name?) is 2000+ calories? Omg. In a salad? That’s more calories than I’m suppose to eat in 1 day! Aren’t salads suppose to be healthy? Thanks for sabotaging me Claim Jumper all these years. *smacks head*

Let the calorie counting begin.

Crockpot Chicken Fajitas

Recipe adapted from Katlyn's Kitchen

Makes 6-8 servings
Calories per serving* = 237

Ingredients:

4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts, thawed (I used 2 chicken breast)
1 onion, thinly sliced (I used 1/4 onion diced)
1 red bell pepper, sliced in half-circle slices
1 green bell pepper, sliced in half-circle slices (I omitted)
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tbsp fresh lime juice (I used 1 whole lime)

Favorite taco fixings:
cheddar cheese
whole wheat tortillas
brown rice
pinto beans
sour cream
salsa
green onions, garnish

Instructions:

Cut chicken into 1 inch crosswise slices. Place chicken in crockpot. Add bell pepper and onions. Squeeze lime juice over chicken, onions, and peppers.

In a 1 cup Pyrex measuring cup, stir to combine chili powder, cumin, salt and chicken broth. Pour over chicken, onions and bell peppers. Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, until tender.

Serve with favorite taco fixings.

* Calories do not include taco fixings or my changes/substitutions

Husband rating: A+
He’s definitely a fan of this recipe. How do I know? He didn’t complain when I made it 2x in one week.

Wifey rating: A/A+
This recipe is very easy and uncomplicated b/c you let the crockpot do most of the work. After cooking in the pot for 3 hours on HIGH, the chicken was moist and juicy and it tasted great! I love the spices from the chili powder and cumin with the chicken. Will definitely add this one to the menu rotation.

On all my favorite blogs.

The one word almond meringue cookie sandwich that gives me goose bumps just thinking about.

Not macarOOn. M-A-C-A-R-O-N.

I’ve made them before with great results. I’ve even had my macaron recipe featured on (this) food website. I was pretty damn impressed with myself. But I let it all go to my head. I got cocky. So when the last Tuesdays With Dorie baking endeavor, the Toasted Coconut Tart, left me with 7 egg whites, I decided to challenge myself with making these finicky french confections again. I even laid down the gauntlet to all my TWD bakers. Some said they already made an omelet *cough MIKE cough* while others said they’d give it a shot with me. Check out how Miss Kate did (here) and Erin did (here). If any other TWD bakers made some macarons with me, please let me know!

But I should have known. Baking lesson #348960284: Nothing good can come of being cocky.

What did I do wrong?

I drew out my template.

I ground the almond meal, powdered sugar and dutch process cocoa in my food processor to a fine powder.

Then I sifted the almond meal, powdered sugar and dutch process cocoa. Twice!

I used 48 hour aged egg whites…

… and whipped those babies like I’ve never whipped before.

I slowly folded the cocoa mixture into the meringue.

Until it was the consistency of liquid magma.

I piped the macaron batter onto my pre-prepared parchment paper and let it develop a skin for about 30 minutes and then baked for about 15 minutes. But 2 batches later. AARRGGHHHH! Cracks and no feet.

Now it’s just a platter of chocolate meringue cookies on my dining table that no one wants to eat. Not even the dog. She sniffed them and walked away. I think I’ve hit a new low when the dog turns her nose up at them. I mean she eats out of the trash. I told you. New low.

I didn’t even bother to fill them.

Nothing could save those cookies from my contempt.

You may have won this battle, Mr. Macaron. But I’ll win the war. Mark my words. MARK IT!!

Score: Macaron-2 CB-1

Down, Forward/Down, Forward, Punch.
Forward, Down, Forward/Down, Punch.
Down, Down/Back, Back, Kick.

(100 points to anyone who knows what who/what special move that is.)

What does that even mean?? I don’t speak Nintendoese. English please! All I do know is Chun Li had some scary quads. Truth.

Ok back to the business at hand.

Gather round readers.

I wanna introduce you to someone.

Her name is Melissa of My McDonald Meal or on twitter@melmcd99. I have a feeling we’re going to be great friends. Just like my last AAB newbie, Erin of Erin’s Food Files. She’s taken her blog and just ran away with it. I am so proud. *waving at Erin like a doting mama chicken*

I think I mentioned AAB before but just to refresh your memory.

Adopt-A-Blogger (AAB) is an awesome blog event created by Kristen of Dine And Dish. Basically the long and short of it is: Experienced bloggers (1+ years) are matched up with Newbie bloggers (<1 year) to share tips, tricks, hints, advice etc etc for 3 months. Isn’t that the coolest idea? Right now AAB is in its 4th year but this is my second time participating. I encourage all bloggers to participate. I'm a leader by nature (the strong and silent type) but I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I learn SO much from my newbie even though I'm suppose to be the "experienced" one. It's really what you make of it. A sentiment that I try to live my life by.

Melissa and I have been emailing back and forth since February when the matches came out and I suggested to get to know each other with some interview questions. Since I loved reading her answers I decided to post them on my blog. What better way to put her on the spot introduce her by asking what’s in her refrigerator RIGHT now…? HA!

Let’s get this party started.

1. Tell me a little about yourself. (Name, location, birthday, family etc)
I am Melissa McDonald and I live in the beautiful bluegrass state where the air smells like bourbon and the folks all great you with a smile. My birthday is June 20th and I am a year shy of a nice mid point birthday. I have been married for almost 11years to my dream come true. Cheesy but true! We have two creative and unique girls, 6 and 2ish. I cannot forget to mention our 12 year old family buddy, Jetta, part beagle-part whippet and the best traveled dog!

2. What food do you NOT eat?
Since I spent a lot of my late teen and early twenties as a vegetarian, and now consider myself a “flexitarian”, I stay away from pork, and any odd game. On occasion, I will eat beef but prefer to eat bison, we have a great local farm I like to support.

3. What is your comfort food?
Well if I must be honest, which I always am, I will let all know that chocolate and anything that may include this food would be my comfort food of choice.

4. What is your go-to cookbook?
That’s a hard question to answer. I love variety so instead of having a true “go-to” book, I have a collection. My Eating Well magazines are my number one choice then followed by the Pioneer Woman Cooks cookbook that I won from SheWearsManyHats- before Christmas.

5. What is your favorite spice? Least favorite?
Fav-Garlic and cilantro! Least-Clove and nutmeg by itself.

6. Name 10 things in your frig RIGHT NOW.
Organic eggs, organic skim and soy milk, ground flax seeds, goat cheese, a block of firm tofu, beets, carrots, kale and unsalted butter.

7. Why did you start a food blog?
My other job, besides a mommy, is a Health Promotion Specialist with a major employer in town. So I wanted a way to promote healthy, fun family meal ideas. I want folks to see thay you can cook healthy fun meals at home instead of giving in to the “fast” food world. I also wanted a way to keep track of my recipes for my girls to use later. Many of my family and friends get after me for not writing down my crazy creations- now I have a way to do this and share to others.

8. How did you come up with your blog name?
Well- wanted something snappy and easy to remember. My McDonald Meal…my name and what you would see at our mealtimes.

9. What is your favorite can’t-live-without-it kitchen gadget?
Probably my awesome bamboo cutting board! And my “like-new” stand-up KA mixer. Can’t believe I have been baking this long without one.

10. What is your short term goals for your blog? Long term?
Short-term…to make my blog look more professional and easy to use. We just loaded CS3 and I’m ready to figure out the web graphics component- wish me luck!
Long-term…as long as I am reaching out to other people and showing them that it is do-able to lead a healthy life for you and your family, then I’ll be happy.

11. When and why did you start cooking?
My mom had me in the kitchen at a very early age. One of my first real cooking experiences was doing Cookie Monster’s chocolate chip cookie recipe from one of the Sesame Street volume books. As for why I cook now, it’s a stress reliever! There is something about chopping, stirring and of course tasting the foods and flavors.

12. What is one dish you would love to learn to cook?
Homemade pasta. I know it’s not that hard, but something just intimidates me about the whole recipe.

13. How do you see yourself in the future? Still blogging?
Yes, I do still see myself blogging. I would definitely like to make my blog a hit with lots of others. Maybe aim to win a few small scale awards. But honestly, I would love to turn this into a connection to my bakery. My ultimate dream is to open up my own organic bakery! Someday.

14. What is one food you hated as a kid but love now?
Cauliflower. It really wasn’t until the past few years that I finally found a way I enjoy it- roasted. I started cooking it more for my girls so they wouldn’t have the same problem. So far it’s working.

15. How have you gotten the word out about your blog?
Friends, co-workers and Twitter! But connecting with you through DineandDish has helped me even more! Thanks CB for picking me up.

16. Does your husband like to cook? If so, does he have a special dish?
My husband decided a longtime ago that he needed to have “his” dish. Something he would be known for. And after a few years of working on it, he finally found a great pizza dough recipe.

17. When you go out to dinner what would be your favorite type of cuisine?
Mine would be Indian or a small local vegetarian joint.

18. If you could go anywhere to study the foods of that country, where would you go?
I would chose Southern Italy for the wonderful Mediterranean cuisine.

19. What’s one of the favorite meals you grew up eating?
My mom’s baked/fried chicken with fresh green beans and corn on the cob. She also makes a great vegetarian chili.

20. What is one food item you make that is most requested from your family and friends?
Baked goods: White chocolate chip cranberry scones or cinnamon rolls.
Main course: spinach bean loaf.

Hope you enjoyed reading as much as I did. Do me a favor and show her some comment love.

Check out her blog for my interview answers (here).