Lazy Monday.

I love mondays. It's my day off work and that is my favorite way to start the week! I usually do some grocery shopping, laundry and hang out with my family :) This particular Monday was filled with baking, praying and husband helping me make dinner!

We feasted on mahi mahi, roasted asparagus, and monster bars for dessert! (recipe to come)

Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi with Roasted Asparagus and White Wine Cream Sauce:

Recipe adapted from Kirsten

2 6 oz filets of mahi mahi

2-3 oz macadamia nuts

1/4 c flour

1 egg, beaten

2 tbs milk

Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

Olive oil

1/2 c white wine

1/4 c heavy cream

1 tbs butter, cold, cut into chunks

Salt and white pepper to taste

1 lb fresh asparagus, trimmed

Olive oil

Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions for Asparagus:

Heat oven to 350. Drizzle asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and roast for 15-20 minutes or until desired doneness.

Directions for Sauce:

Reduce wine over high heat until reduced by half. Whisk in heavy cream, remove from heat. Whisk in 1 tbs butter (cut into 4 small pieces) until an emulsion forms. Set aside and keep warm for service.

Directions for Fish:

Meanwhile, toast macadamia nuts in a dry skillet just until beginning to brown. Chop in a food processor until in fine crumbs. (I just mashed them with a hammer) Mix chopped nuts with salt and pepper to taste. Lay out 3 plates - one with flour, one with the beaten egg and milk and one with the nut mixture in it.

Coat filets in flour, then egg/milk and then coat with nut mixture. Saute in olive oil over high heat until both sides are golden brown and crisp. Fish will not be done cooking yet. Because of the nuts, the outside will brown before the fish is done, so transfer to a baking dish and finish in the oven (about 5 minutes).

This was so yummy!!  Yay for Monday!

Hoping to win!

Here is a beautiful blog that I have been following for about six months and she is so graciously giving away a BEAUTIFUL blog banner design! Her work is absolutely amazing! I love the simple and elegant logos and banners she has made!

Check out her blog! I know you'll love it!

http://www.roostblog.com/

Crinkle Cookies

I love New Years Day!

I love the Christmas holiday seasons because  my husband and I spent so much time with my family. We eat a lot, play every board game we own (twice) and spend time laughing, giving and sharing all the festivities :)

I made the most adorable cookies for New Years Day! 

I adapted this recipe from The Great Cookie Book.

Ingredients:

1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups white sugar

1/2 cup of vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon 

1/2 cup confectioners sugar

Method:

1. Mix together cocoa, white sugar, and vegetable oil in a medium bowl. Beat eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; stir into the cocoa mixture. Cover dough, and chill for 4 hours or until firm enough to shape into balls.

2. Preheat oven to 250F and place rack in the center of the oven. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

3. Place the confectioner's sugar in a shallow bowl. Roll chilled dough into 1-inch balls. Roll the ball in confectioner's sugar until completely coated. Place on prepared cookie sheets 2-inches apart. Chill the dough in between batches (makes dough easier to work with).

4. Bake for 8 to 12 minutes, just until edges are firm. Do not over bake, cookie should be soft and chewy. Cool on cookie racks. Serve.

New Year!

Happy New Year! 

I hope that you had a beautiful Christmas celebration.

God bless and draw you near to him during this beautiful year, 2011.