Fish Tacos

Hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst - all delicious, if you ask me (especially with beer). It's not just the high fat content that makes them satisfying. It's the memories that punctuate each bite. When I chew into a hot dog, I can almost feel the thin elastic thread that kept hats on my head at childhood birthday parties. Hamburgers remind me of road trips. Bratwurst, street festivals.

Despite the good taste and memories, many of us need to cut down on meat. It's got too much saturated fat, too many calories. For a lighter option, consider cooking up these simple fish tacos. They're lower in fat than their meat-filled brethren, but still wonderfully flavorful. And, yes, good with beer.

FISH TACOS WITH CORN

2009 Cardamom Kitchen LLC All Rights Reserved

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 pound catfish fillets

1/4 teaspoon cumin powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

2 1/2 cups diced tomatoes

2 chopped scallions

2 tablespoons cilantro, roughly chopped

12 corn tortillas
Feta to garnish (optional)

2 15.5 ounce cans of sweet corn

INSTRUCTIONS

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2) Cover a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Place the fish on the baking sheet. In a small bowl, mix together cumin, garlic powder, oregano, cayenne, black pepper and 1/2 teaspoon. Sprinkle over fish.

3) Bake the fish until it becomes opaque and flakes when poked with a fork (about 15 minutes).

4) Combine the tomatoes, scallions, and cilantro in a bowl. Toss together and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt.

5) Place corn with liquid in a small saute pan. Heat on low for 5 minutes. (Do not allow liquid to simmer or boil.) Drain water.

6) Place the baked fish in a small bowl and pull it apart with a fork.

7) Heat tortillas in the microwave or with a cast iron skillet. (Warm skillet on high heat. Place a tortilla on skillet. Cook until it warms and softens. Remove from heat. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.)

8) Fill each tortilla with fish and tomato mixture.

9) Sprinkle with feta and serve with a side of the corn.

Chocolate Peda

I miss Indian sweets and snacks. I wish there was Grands or Krishna sweets in LA. This is a foolproof recipe for chocolate pedas which does not involve any cooking or microwaving. I have not added any sugar or butter. You can make these guilt free pedas in no time. So what are you chocolate lovers waiting for? Try this and let me know!


Yields 4 pedas.

Ingredients:
Ovaltine/sweetened cocoa/any chocolate drink powder(I used ovaltine)-4 tbsp
Milk Powder-4 tbsp
Almond powder-4 tbsp
Marie Biscuits-2 small(powdered)
Evaporated milk-2 tbsp

Method:Mix all the ingredients together and make a soft dough.

If the dough is sticky, add 2 drops of oil.
Divide the dough into 4 portions and shape them any way you like.

This is my 2nd entry to my own event: 15 minute Cooking - May 20th

Also sending it to For the Love of Chocolate - April 30th

Note: If you don't have evaporated milk, you can use milk(boiled and cooled). But pedas will perish soon. You may have to refrigerate them.
Since these are uncooked, I would not overeat. 2 or 3 max :)

Chapathis

Pair this earthy flatbread with potato masala, meat or legumes.

CHAPATHIS

2009 Cardamom Kitchen LLC All Rights Reserved

Serves 6

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour

1 1/2 teaspoons canola oil

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 teaspoon salt

Butter or ghee (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Combine 1 cup flour and salt in a bowl. Add oil and blend with your fingers.

Slowly pour in water and mix to form a large ball of dough.

Divide dough into 6 pieces and form into balls.

Dust a cutting board with a thin layer of remaining flour. Pat one ball into a disk. Roll into a flat, circle about 1/16 of an inch thick. Repeat with remaining dough.

Heat a cast iron skillet on medium-high. Place a circle of dough on skillet. Turn when bubbles form on the side that is touching the skillet.

Remove bread from skillet when bubbles have formed on second side. Coat with a thin layer of butter or ghee. Repeat with remaining dough.