Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Baja Fish Tacos

[Recipe from OnceUponAChef.com]


For the Cabbage Slaw

  • 5 cups (or one 10-ounce bag) shredded red cabbage
  • 3 tablespoons minced red onion
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped cilantro
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Chipotle Sauce

  • 3/4 cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann's
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice, from one lime
  • 2-3 chipotle chiles in adobo sauce (canned), roughly chopped, plus 1-2 teaspoons sauce (see note below)
  • large garlic clove, roughly chopped

For the Beer Batter

  • 1 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 cup beer

For the Fish and Tortillas

  • 1-1/2 pounds skinless cod, cut into 1-inch wide x 4-inch long strips
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • 12 (6-inch) soft corn tortillas, warmed
  • Lime wedges, for serving

Instructions

  1. Toss the cabbage, red onion, cilantro, vinegar, oil and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.

  1. Combine the mayonnaise, lime juice, chipotle chiles with sauce and garlic in a blender or mini food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside.
  2. Mix the flour, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl. Gradually add the beer, whisking until the batter is smooth with no lumps. Set aside.
  3. In a medium skillet, over medium heat, add enough oil to reach a depth of 1/2-inch. Heat the oil until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F, or when the end of a wooden spoon sizzles when dipped into the oil.
  1. Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan, dip the fish strips in the beer batter and coat on both sides. Let the excess batter drip off, then fry the fish in the hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.


  1. Smear each tortilla with a generous amount of the chipotle sauce, then top with the cabbage slaw. Lay one piece of fish inside each tortilla and serve with lime wedges.
  2. Note: 3 chipotle peppers and 2 teaspoons sauce will give you a spicy sauce. Use less for a milder sauce. (Ben and I like spicy food, and using 2 peppers with the sauce was just the right amount.)
We've tried a few different fish taco recipes, and this is by far the most delicious. It is the perfect blend of fresh flavors.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Snow City, Maine

In case you haven't heard, we've been dealt a large hand of snow this winter in New England. Despite the freezing temps, these girls needed some fresh air. Out we went. Brrr. I'm still thawing!
Daddy made a hill for sledding out of the snowbanks in our driveway. Ready, set... Go!
Mackenna loves the snow! 

Saturday, February 14, 2015

What a difference a year makes...


Happy Valentines Day!

My heart is full every day with love from these two girls. 
Dakota at daycare with her Valentines bag for treats from her friends.
Our girl's Valentines, goldfish and "I'm hooked on you!"
Mackenna tells me every day how much she loves me, and there is no gift greater than that. 

Monday, February 9, 2015

Bathroom Renovation

This past month, Ben and I embarked on renovating and updating almost every aspect of our small half bathroom downstairs. In time, we plan to update almost all rooms in our new home. Some rooms we have planned for only light touches of updates, and other rooms (such as this dated bathroom) needed a full "gut job!" We are going with a farmhouse feel for our new home, and this bathroom equipped with wood tile, ship lap and distressed wood, is a great start.

I should note, Ben did everything himself from soup to nuts. I can take credit for the design, but Ben's handy work did the rest. (Hey, someone had to watch the kids right?)

The space feels so bright, crisp and clean. And no, we do not miss the green toilet. Or green sink. Or green walls. 

Before & Afters   

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Dakota's 1st Birthday Party

A few weekends ago we celebrated our littlest girl's first birthday. We went with a winter ONEderland theme, appropriate for our January babe. This past year with Dakota has been a joy. Being a mom to two kids instead of one has been a whirlwind and quite frankly, harder than I thought. There is rarely a moment of calm in our house, until the girls are in bed. Lucky for us, Dakota has been the most amazing baby. She is such a calm, observant girl. People always comment on how beautiful her blue eyes are. She loves her big sister, and within these last few weeks they have really started to play together.  I'll always remember her first year as the year that Mackenna called her "Toey" (its already going away, as Mackenna has started to call her Kota now.) The party was a great bash with family and friends at our new home! 

Carrying on the tradition of making our girl's birthday cakes.
Cousins
 Sara, Kyle and my little birthday twin Grace
Dakota and her daycare buddy, Edy