Blackened Tilapia Baja Tacos

One word...."INSANE"!  These really are the BEST fish tacos I have ever made, as well as the BEST fish tacos I have ever eaten...EVER!  You will love them.  They are easy too...bonus!!!  This is not my recipe, but I just have to share!
Recipe --->Blackened Tilapia Baja Tacos

What's cooking this week & Laziness

There is nothing interesting to report on this week, we didn't go on any adventures, or do anything worth mentioning.  We have basically been laying around all weekend being lazy, and working on our thank you card project (still).  You were warned - nothing interesting happening over here.  I did manage to make a list when I woke up this morning:

Tonight - Loaded Veggie Pizza
Monday - Sun Dried Tomato Artichoke Chicken Bake
Tuesday - Taco Tuesday with "Flair"
Wednesday - Japanese Chicken Scallion Rice Bowl (I'm adding mushrooms and edamame)
Thursday - Buffalo Turkey Burgers and Sweet Potatoes
Friday - Pasta (this is vague, but I will just whip something up using whatever is in my pantry - IF we happen to be home)

In honor of our lazy weekend, I wanted to share some of these kitchen gadgets that are "pro-laziness"...

Banana Slicer

Self stirring mug

Pizza Scissors

Corn Kerneler  (Yup!)

Automatic Sauce Stirrer 

What will they think of next?!?!Now, I must find the energy to work out...I'm using my cough as an excuse not to run, maybe I will do this instead:

Go Frankie!!!

Now that I have had a week to cool off, I can talk about MasterChef.  Unfortunately, Frankie was cut on last weeks episode.  He made it all the way to the top 4!  It was tough to watch him go (especially since we did not agree with the decision), but we are all SUPER PROUD of him and everything he has accomplished!!!  He is such an amazing cook, his passion for food is such an inspiration, and watching him kick butt week after week was such an incredible adventure!  I'm sure it has been a wonderful experience for him, and I wish him the best as he figures out "what's next"!  GO FRANKIE!  :)
You can follow his blog here:  Foodeconomics

This picture was on the MasterChef Facebook page, and made me laugh!  I guess I'll still watch part 1 of the season finale tonight.  Gotta stick it out!

What's cooking this week & Daytona Beach

What a weekend! I have to admit, I had a tough time planning for this upcoming week. I'm so full from eating all weekend long...I just do not have the willpower to think about food (I'm surprised too)! I managed to come up with this list (took me long enough), and I am pretty satisfied with it. The original plan was to take the night off, however the easy chicken salad I have planned for tonight is turning out to be not so "simple". I don't want to give too much away but if it is good, I'll share it at some point. :)

Tonight - Left-over pasta for the husband, chicken salad for the wife
Tuesday - Crock-Pot Chili w/ turkey meat (I knew I wasn't cooking this last Friday)
Wednesday - Salad with grilled chicken, avocado, and whole grain mustard vinaigrette
Thursday - Broiled Tilapia with Mustard-Chive Sauce and cauliflower
Friday - Sun Dried Tomato Artichoke Chicken Bake

Ok, so this weekend started with Jen and I taking a trip to Orlando with Lisa to pick up her cousin Emma at the airport. Then we had a fun filled day and night in The Villages followed by a game of Quelf! It was nice to have everyone together! Will was able to be with us too, which was great since he has been busy at the Republican National Convention all week (www.willvragovic.com). As if all of that wasn't enough, we woke up yesterday morning and decided to head over to Daytona Beach. I found an amazing deal at the Hilton, so we finished out Labor Day weekend with Lisa, Bobby, and Emma on the beach. What a beautiful weekend! It was perfect, but we are EXHAUSTED! I'm ready to shower off this salt water, and get into my "happy clothes". It is going to be another busy busy week at work. Bring it on! :)

Parmesan Edamame

The other day I was home sick (not fun...but I am much better now), and there was NOTHING to eat! You can ask my mom, I almost never lose my appetite...EVEN when I'm sick. I had a bag of frozen shelled edamame and whipped up this lovely lunch. It is almost too easy!  All you need is the edamame, parmesan cheese, and normal things that you probably already have plenty of!

• Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
• Rinse edamame until it is thawed, then dry it
• Spray baking dish with non-stick spray
• Pour in edamame and drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil
• Sprinkle generously with parmesan cheese and whatever spices you want (I used salt, pepper, garlic powder, and crushed red pepper)
• Bake for about 20 minutes until the cheese is all melty and starts to brown
• Consume like you haven't eaten in days...which we all know is not the case  

You're welcome!  :)