Tilapia Tacos with Siracha Cream and Mango Salsa

This recipe is one that is inspired by another restaurant favorite of mine...lightened up of course.  I've taken snippets from some of my favorite meals and improvised.  I tend to do this with all of my recipes to make them easier, healthier, and more...well, more me!  Once again, absolutely everything can be customized to your liking and based on what you have on hand.  Convenience is the biggest factor when you have a hungry husband, an even hungrier momma, and a newborn to take care of!

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Tilapia Coating
-1/2 Cup of Cornmeal or Cornmeal mixture (Tip: I like to use a prepackaged cornbread mixture.  I think it adds a bit of sweetness which I expect with a cornmeal crust), but cornmeal works great and is a bit healthier
-1/8 tsp Paprika
-1/8 tsp Cumin
Salt and Pepper to your taste
Combine in shallow dish.

I like to use Tilapia but any white, flaky fish will do.  Coat 1 pound fish heavily with cornmeal mixture and cut into small pieces, about 2 inch strips.  Place on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray and bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until fish is cooked thoroughly and flaky.  Fish may need to be turned once during baking process, depending upon your oven.




Mango Salsa
-1 Mango diced
-1/2-1 Tomato depending on the size (Roma tomatoes work well)
-1 tbsp Red Onion
-1/8 tsp chopped Cilantro
-2 tbsp Rice Wine Vinegar
-1/2 lime juiced

Dice mango, tomato, and red onion.  Combine with all other ingredients in small bowl.  Let rest for 15-20 minutes.


Siracha Cream
-1 tbsp of Mayonnaise (Mayo with canola or olive oil is best)
-1 tbsp of Sour cream (Greek yogurt is fine too but may alter the taste a bit more)
-2 tsp of Siracha
-2 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar (I like Bragg's because it carries all of the positive properties of ACV that the generic store brands don't have)
*You may want triple or quadruple this recipe because this stuff is amazing.  I put it on burgers, sandwiches, tacos, etc.  Pretty much everything!

Garnish with:
-Coleslaw mix or shredded cabbage of any variety...green, purple, or a combination
-Fresh cilantro (Parsley if you are like me and dislike the oily taste of cilantro)
-Corn torillas (warmed as directed...the good old fashioned over the burner is my favorite, but watch carefully.  Please don't blame me if your kitchen catches on fire!)
-Fresh lime wedges

After fish is cooked, assemble fish, mango salsa, and slaw on the tortilla.  Top with desired amount of Siracha cream and sprinkle with some fresh lime and cilantro.  Enjoy friends!

Yummy Baked Oatmeal

This recipe happens to be an absolute favorite of mine.  I find it to be a healthier, yet indulgent breakfast/brunch option.  The ingredients are simple and can be altered according to your preference and are completely customizable...my kind of recipe!  The baking process really enhances the flavors in the oatmeal, but will also work with other varieties of warm breakfast cereals.  This recipe was inspired by a local restaurant favorite of mine.

Ingredients
-Your favorite brand of Oatmeal (I like to use Irish Steel Cut Oats, but the famous "Quaker" oatmeal will work too) cooked as directed

*Tip 1-I like to use Almond or Coconut milk in the oatmeal in place of water or milk.  If using an alternative milk, I would always suggest the refrigerated type. 

*Tip 2-I often like to add a pinch of cinnamon in the milk during the boiling process.  Cinnamon has great heart healthy properties and I find that it adds a depth of flavor and warmth without the calories.  I also do the same with the coffee grinds in my morning coffee.  Couldn't hurt right?

Toppings
-Raisins
-Walnuts/Almonds
-Brown sugar
-Peaches, Apples, or any fruit or berry that you prefer
-Cream

Directions:
Pour the cooked oatmeal into small ramekins or a larger baking dish, preferably corningware, about 3/4 of the way.  Top with about 2 tbsp. of brown sugar, or more, depending on how sweet you'd like it and how much you are making.  Then add your nuts...I like the heartiness of walnuts in this particular dish.  Finally, dice up your fruit into small pieces (peaches or apples work best, but any seasonal fruits will work).  Bake in the oven at 450 degrees just until the brown sugar on top has melted. (You will know it's done when the sugar becomes a darker shade than it was before).  Serve with a spot of cream and you have yourself a wonderfully delectable dish that is perfect for a fall brunch by yourself or with company.  Enjoy!

Well hello there...

So here I find myself, many moons later...back with more vigor than ever before.  My lengthy hiatus can be attributed to some major life changes: a move, thankfully to a bigger space, and dun-da-da-dun...having a baby!  Now I am left with less time and more inspiration for fulfilling the simple duties of being a wife, mother, and empowered woman. I have great plans for the future of Ivy and the Ocean.  I'm back to share some seasonal and healthy recipes, family explorations, and even some wellness tips.  As we ride past the remainder of summer, a glimmer of Autumn is quickly approaching, a season which you may know from  my previous post, I hold dear to my heart.  Please feel free to follow along with me and my weekly recipe experiments, local restaurant visits, and of course, any mommy adventures in Babyland.  Happy Reading!!!

Editing my Life // Proofreading my Closets

Week 1:

I decided to dedicate today to revisit some of my hopes for the New Year.  I may be a week late, but sometimes it just seems to take longer for me to just sit and be still when I have a whirlwind of tasks at my fingertips.  I sprawled out with a nice cup of coffee, pregnant belly full from breakfast, and skimmed over some of my hopes for the future.

With nearly 4 months of pregnancy behind me, the wonders of a world complete with Baby keeps me feeling the necessity to bring more Simplicity to our lives.  With so many Blessings, I need to focus on the purity of soul and practice gratitude before I can rid my home, my inner self, and my closets of the daily clutter dragging behind me, weighing me down.

What are some practices and remedies that have helped you simplify your life?   

Autumn Calm // Autumn Excitement

For the past seven years, Autumn has represented something beyond a shift in the seasons.  I have always nurtured a love of all things Harvest and Thanksgiving.  I am a child of the Fall and life has played out accordingly.  The love of my life, my husband and best friend Ted, waltzed his way into my soul as the leaves were softening.  By November, he was mine.  Four years later, I wed this man, my soul mate, the day after Thanksgiving.  Now, I find myself rejoicing with the news that Ted and I are expecting our very first bundle of beyond-joy!  How much expectation can one season have?

Autumn has brought upon new beginnings and a series of firsts, each one more surprising than the next.  Pregnancy has given me a new "first" feeling: Calm.  Regardless of the evening "morning" sickness, overindulgence of sleep, and ever-increasing, ahem, waistline, I have discovered serenity.  This Air sign is finally able to relax and dim the flickering worries and stresses that constantly cloud my brain.

I'm hoping, more than anything, that through this journal endeavor of mine, I can somehow keep ties with the outside world, while in the meantime, share my new experiences and gain from the wisdom of others as well.  I hope that one day I can look back and enjoy the footsteps of my new journey into Motherhood...

Happy Reading!