Garlic-and-Herb Oven-Fried Halibut

Breaded halibut made this way is much healthier than the deep-fried version. I didn't have panko on hand so I made some whole-wheat breadcrumbs and used a mixture of fresh onion and herbs to coarsely coat the halibut. It gave it that perfect amount of crisp without overdoing it on the breading.

Adapted from Food and Wine Magazine

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 fillet)

Ingredients
1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 large egg whites, lightly beaten
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 (6-ounce) halibut fillets
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Cooking spray


Preparation
Preheat oven to 450°.

Combine first 5 ingredients in a shallow dish. Place egg whites and egg in a shallow dish. Place flour in a shallow dish. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Dredge fish in flour. Dip in egg mixture; dredge in panko mixture.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 fish fillets; cook 2 1/2 minutes on each side or until browned. Place fish on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and remaining fish. Bake at 450° for 6 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork or until desired degree of doneness.

Time Flies!

It is hard to believe that Thatcher is almost 2 months old and Samantha is nearing 2 1/2.

Thatcher is now sleeping from about 10 PM until 7 AM (sometimes 8!) straight without waking up to eat (thanks in part to forcing him to be swaddled). He is smiling quite a bit, especially first thing in the morning when I unvelcro him from his swaddle blanket. He seems happy to stretch out his arms and legs.

Samantha continues to keep us on our toes. Lately she has been adorned with bumps, scrapes and bruises all from her neverending energy and fearlessness and we are working on teaching her to be gentle with her brother.

Hard to believe that this sweet girl puts her brother in a head-lock... ;)

Sleepyhead

He sleeps just like his daddy! :)

Filet Mignon with Warm Tomato Topping

The warm tomato topping in this recipe really compliments the steak. I used a different cut of meat than the recipe suggests but other than that, I pretty much followed it. I think you could substitute out the cilantro with basil and even add some mozzarella cheese. I served it with a side of orzo pasta.

From Cooking Light Magazine

Broiled Flank Steak with Warm Tomato Topping

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 3 ounces meat and about 1/3 cup topping)

Ingredients
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cumin, divided
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 (1-pound) flank steak, trimmed
Cooking spray
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon bottled minced garlic
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced (about 1 tablespoon)
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation

Preheat broiler.

Combine 1 teaspoon cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and red pepper; sprinkle evenly over steak. Place steak on a broiler pan coated with cooking spray; broil 10 minutes or until desired degree of doneness, turning once. Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and jalapeño to pan; cook 1 minute. Add remaining 1/4 teaspoon cumin, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and tomatoes to pan; cook 3 minutes or until tomatoes begin to soften. Remove from heat; stir in cilantro. Serve tomato topping with steak.

Sofia

Is 9 years old too young to babysit?

Our neighbor Sofia is a familiar face over at our house

She reads stories, has tea parties, plays cards and games with Samantha. She always helps and encourages Samantha to clean up her toys and reminds her to use the potty.

She holds, rocks, burps and feeds Thatcher a bottle.

I'm working on getting her to change diapers :)


She walks, practices tricks, feeds and loves Lollipop


What about when she turns 10, is that okay?

6 Weeks Old (almost)

It is hard to believe that little Thatcher is going to be 6 weeks old tomorrow. It has gone by so quickly and he has been nothing but an angel. He is more alert now and has longer periods of awake time. He has grown out of his newborn clothes and newborn diapers. He sleeps through the night (except for the one night when he danced around like a marionette for a couple hours - time to force the swaddle on this guy to keep those arms and legs contained!), he's a good eater and loves to cuddle. He enjoys relaxing in the swing, tummy time on the floor and stroller rides. Sounds perfect, right? I think so :)

He looks cute in Sammie's jammies

Shares his blankey with Lollipop

He is starting to have a little personality

and beginning to smile

He is popular with his big sister and best bud Connor

He LOVES the water

and cuddling with Daddy after bathtime

He likes to pose

And do Tai Chi

Spicy Shrimp Pasta

It's easy to throw a healthy shrimp pasta together in 20 minutes or less. The recipe below is a good base to follow. I used fresh basil, whole-wheat spaghetti (I actually recommend using Angel Hair) and Asiago cheese.

Spicy Shrimp Fettuccine

Adapted from Cooking Light Magazine

Ingredients
8 ounces uncooked fettuccine
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cups chopped plum tomato (about 5)
2 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation
Cook pasta according to the package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain.

Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add red pepper and garlic to pan; sauté 1 minute. Add shrimp; sauté 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes and next 4 ingredients (through salt); bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in pasta; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated.

Place 1 1/2 cups pasta mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese. Serve immediately.