Fish Pie...oh my!

Last Thursday we had my parents (and tall bro) over for dinner. My parents were back from Bermuda and I picked them up from the airport at 4:30 and took them to our place for dinner. Because who doesn't want to have dinner cooked for them when they come back from a vacation?!

Horseshoe Bay beach - from www.argylerowland.com

Now having my parents over for dinner is both a lot of fun and a bit of a headache. Before you shake your head at me for saying such a thing, let me clarify. Having my parents over is a blast! Cooking an eatable dinner for my parents is not nearly as much fun. This is because my dad is allergic to onions (the whole onion family actually - that means green, red, yellow, and white onions, chives, shallots, and leeks) and - wait for it - garlic. Yes, my father cannot eat garlic. He actually can't even smell it without getting affected. So I had to make food without garlic or onions in it. And as anyone who cooks even a little bit knows that there are not a lot recipes out there that don't include (or even start without) garlic or onions.

So it was Jamie Oliver to the Rescue!

(sorry, couldn't resist, with that picture and all)

What I should say is that it was Jamie's bloody brillant Fish Pie that came to my rescue.

I procrastinated all week deciding what I was going to make and I was kind of too lazy to try and look for a new recipie - to make or even adapt so it didn't contain 'the offenders'. I also didn't want to make two separate dishes - that's only more work and let's face it, not nice for my dad.

A pretty constant staple meal a la casa de Merino however is Jamie's Fish Pie, courtsey of his Food Revolution Cookbook. And I realized while wracking my brain at 11:45pm on Wednesday night, Fish Pie doesn't call for any garlic or onions at all!

Now I did have to plan to go to the grocery store in my already busy Thursday, because we didn't have half of the ingredients, but I'm not complaining, because it turned out so good and I even got my dad to take seconds. Of FISH. and then he said they should make this at home. Like regularly. NBD.
(I'm still beaming a little today).

So in case you come across another person like my dad, or you just want a delicious meal that's pretty easy to make and doesn't require you to cry while cutting onions or slice your thumb while mincing garlic, I'm telling you - make Fish Pie!

Copyright © David Loftus

Jamie Oliver's Fish Pie

What You'll Need

• 2 lg white fish fillets (we get basa or tilapia, but Alaskan white or another equivalent firm white fish is good too) - get the freshest and most sustainably sourced fish you can; it makes a difference
• 1 450g uncooked shrimp
• 5 medium sized yellow potatoes
• 2 stalks celery
• 1 lg carrot
• 1-2 mini hot peppers (use to taste...you can leave them out too)
• half of a small block of old cheddar cheese (about 125g)
• small bunch of cilantro or parsley
• olive oil
• 2 limes
• 1 tsp butter
• splash of milk

What To Do

1. Peel your potatoes and chop into mid-size pieces. Boil in a pot of water for approximately 12 mins or until tender. Drain and mash to preferred consistency, adding a tsp of butter and splash of milk. Preheat oven to 400F.
2. While the potatoes are boiling, grate the peeled carrot, celery and cheese using a medium grater into a corningware or oven safe round dish.
3. Finely chop the cilantro and hot peppers (if using) and add to dish. Add the zest of 1 lime, the juice of half the lime and a splash of olive oil.
4. Cut fish fillets into uniform same size pieces, and de-tail the shrimp. Add to dish and mix all the ingredients with your hands until combined. Pat gently flat.
5. Spoon mashed potatoes over the top of dish, covering fish and veggie mixture completely. Bake uncovered in oven until mash potatoes are slightly browned on top, about 35-40 mins.
6. Serve immediately, with lime wedges to squeeze on top. Sometimes we add a sprinkle of grated parmesan too!

Enjoy!



Chau,
r.

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tacos!

Somewhere in the midst of our summer here in TO I became obsessed with tacos.

Now you have to know that my understanding of the word tacos is not (I repeat not) this:

Don't get me wrong - Old El Paso is trying their best to north-americanize the taco for the enjoyment of all the masses and while I appreciate the valiancy of their efforts, I cannot stomach their version of tacos. Just can't. Couple this with the fact that my hubby spent 3 years of his childhood living in Mexico, and I have a much better understanding of the traditional Mexican style taco (and that there is not one universal taco, but rather a variety of styles, flavours, and fillings all dependant on where you are and who's cooking). And most importantly, every good taco has a soft warm tortilla wrapping up the goodness you chose to put inside.

Obsessed with tacos, I even made my girlfriends go and eat at a taco food truck during our recent trip to NYC. In all fairness, it was not too far from the place we were staying (and recommended by our library travel book) and they know me well enough to not mess with me when I start talking passionately about something like tacos.

Now unfortunately my pictures of our incredible fish tacos and beef taco were deleted by my stupidity with the camera (another story for another day), but we did manage to get a picture of the outside of the truck later in the trip. We (I speak for all 3 of us) recommend - no, insist - you try them if you're ever in Queens, NYC (30th ave & 33rd street).

The King of Taco: they have everything you'd need in a taco - and the option to add/subtract as  you so desire!

In keeping with the taco obsession, the minute I saw this recipe on farm + house + table, I knew I had to try it. There were too many things in the title for me not to try and make it - not to mention tacos! Many thanks for these wonderful ladies for a very yummy and husband approved easy friday night dinner!

Shrimp Tacos with Apple Cucumber Salsa

You'll need:

• 250g (approx 30-40 individual) uncooked shrimp, peeled & deveined
• breadcrumbs, or unsalted crackers crushed up to resemble breadcrumbs
• salt & pepper to taste
• grapeseed oil (or other non-flavourful oil good for frying)
• corn tortillas
• an apple, diced (I like royal gala as they hold up well)
• 1/2 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 red onion, minced
• 1-3 jalapenos, minced (depending on your preference for heat, pick your # and remember to remove seeds and membranes for less heat)
• cilantro leaves, chopped
• 1 lime
• 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp of brown sugar
• 1/3 cup sour cream
• 1-3 tsp chipotle sauce (add tsp depending on your preference of heat)
• 1 avocado

To make (serves 2 people = 3 stuffed tacos each)
 1. Mix apple, cucumber, red onion, jalapeno(s), cilantro together in a bowl. Add juice of lime, apple cider vinegar, and brown sugar to the bowl and stir it all together. Add more vinegar or juice of lime if you want it more cured. Set aside.
 2. Add sour cream with chipotle sauce in separate bowl. Keep in fridge until assembly.
 3. Heat grapeseed oil in small skillet/frying pan. On a clean plate spread breadcrumbs/mashed up crackers and add salt and pepper to taste. Coat 1/2 shrimp in the mix until they are good and covered and then place gently in hot oil. The shrimp will sizzle, so make sure you're wearing an apron! If the oil is jumping out of the pan at you, turn down the burner a little. Cook quickly (you may have to turn them once) until just pink with slightly browned flecks of mashed cracker/breadcrumbs. Transfer to paper towel to cool. Repeat with second half of shrimp.
 4. Mash avocado in a bowl with the bit of juice from the lime. (I like to do this right before assembly time, so the avocado won't oxidize while I'm cooking the shrimp)

To assemble - warm your tortillas in another frying pan as you are assembling (wait until they bubble up a little - that means it's good and warm, but not toasted...unless you prefer that. Don't forget to flip them!). Place some of the mashed avocado down the centre of the tortilla, add 5-6 shrimps on top. Spoon the salsa on top of the shrimp, and then, as you curl the tortilla up, add a bit of the chipotle sour cream on top! Repeat with the remaining tortillas, warming the next one as you assemble. Serve immediately.

And that's it! Easy to make, but even easier to eat.

Enjoy!
r.

Little less Conversation, Little more Picture Posting Please

so yes, that is a direct rip off of an elvis presley song in the title. it was stuck in my head when I started this post, so i thought i'd pass it on. you're welcome!

essentially i've been thinking that this blog could use a little more in the pictures dept., as well as perhaps a little more frequency in posting. so today i plan to rectify both of these...and share some of our pictures from a recent trip to Peru!

As many of you know, my wonderful hubby is originally from Peru, so whenever we get a good excuse to head south for a time, we jump at the chance. This past Dec-Jan, we had double the reason to go. My bro is actually working in Peru - check out his blog here - and my parents wanted to go and visit him, as well as see a bit of where Diego had grown up. It didn't take much convincing for us join in on the fun, and so on Jan 29, off we went to the summery south, for a whirlwind 10 day trip of visiting, New Year's celebration and a tour of Machu Picchu.

We came back with a hint of suntan, good memories, a little sleep deprivation, and A TON of pictures. let's just say between my mom, my dad, my bro, my hubby and i - we like to take a lot of pictures. and while most of the decent ones are my dad's, we all participated in this endeavour. Now you get to enjoy them! Here's a synopsis of Travelling Day and Day 1. more to come!

Here we are boarding the plane from Toronto...

this was our first flight that took us to Newark, New York. From there we flew straight to Lima (after a 3 hour layover).

Waiting in Newark with my Mom!

and here we are getting picked up from the airport in Lima!

It was beautiful and warm in Lima. But also late. We slept in the next day, but there was also lots to do and see! Here's some snapshots from Day 1.

This was the apartment of Diego's prima (cousin) Maritina, where we stayed. She ever so graciously lent to us during our stay. This shot is from just outside the front door, looking into the living/dining area.

We started off with a good Peruvian breakfast of fruit, bread with avocado and fresh cheese, eggs, homemade juice, and more fruit...sooooo yummy. I miss the fruit already.

We went walking to check out the district's market...

...and ate more fruit, right from the fruit stands (who get it from the farmers in the morning!)

Pete got his hair cut and washed for 15 soles (the equivalent of about $5)

and we watched all the action on the street. Lots of vendors selling yellow stuff for New Year's (it supposed to bring good luck to have yellow clothes - like underwear, hats, shorts, etc).

Then we went for chifa! Chifa is a mix of Chinese & Peruivan cuisine. It is VERY good, and very popular. At this particular restaurant, everything is served on this giant glass turn-table on your table, so you spin to get your food!

We took a group shot at the restaurant too.

Then we went shopping at the Artisan market - we you find the alpaca handmade stuff, and the regular touristy key chains and stuff. The best part, is that you can negotiate price...on everything. Well, as long as you know your numbers in Spanish that is!

We ended the day with a double decker bus tour around some of the districts in Lima. Lots of fun and lots to see.

chau!

-r

A Promise is a Promise

Confession: I am not good at doing things regularly. Like piano practice when I was a kid, or swimming strokes (remember all those laps - back and forth, back and forth). So in reality, starting a blog and trying to commit to posting regularly maybe wasn't the best idea. But I did promise someone very near and dear to me that I would continue to post on my honeymoon, and a promise is a promise...so here I go!

A la Malaga

About half of our stay in beautiful España was spent in the province of Andalucia - the southern region of Spain that everyone knows for their warm weather, yummy tapas, and bull-fights!

For part of our honeymoon we stayed in a lovely, although busy area just outside of Malaga (a city located on the coast in the centre of Andalucia). Here's a few shots of our room where we spent a whole week and didn't have to pack the suitcases at all!!!

Turns out Benal Beach, which is the immediate area where our resort was located, is quite popular with the British tourists. There were a good number of British Pubs, serving very british breakfasts, all day long. So naturally we had a british breakfast at 2:00 in the afternoon in the middle of Spain - just because we could.

While we didn't spend the whole week in Malaga - stories of our day trips to come - here are a few more shots from our times out and about Malaga.

Shock and awe at just how good this fish was (seriously the best fish EVER!)

Second best fish ever (+ a pretty good bottle of wine. ah Europe!)

Sangria at the mall! :)

and tapas.

ciao!
r.