Recipes: Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos with Pineapple Cilantro Salsa

Spring is finally here, so it's time to "get your grill on!" Instead of the usual hotdogs & hamburgers or BBQ'd chicken, I decided to make a delicious & light Mexican-themed seafood dinner for my in-laws who were in town visiting for the weekend! We had a gorgeous 80 degree night under the stars, eating chips, salsa & guacamole, and sipping my yummy White Citrus Sangria, and eating Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos with Pineapple Cilantro Salsa and Black & White Bean Salad.  I also added in some marinated grilled shrimp...so feel free to make shrimp or fish tacos for this recipe. Here are all of my recipes from our wonderful night! ¡Buen apetito!

Mel’s Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 Tilapia filets (Tilapia is mild white fish found at most fish counters and reasonably priced)

Olive oil

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (remove stems and chop in mini-prep food processor)

1/2 medium white onion, sliced thin 

2-4 cloves garlic, diced (to taste)

Pineapple juice (strained from can of pineapple, needed for Pineapple Salsa recipe below)

Salt & pepper to taste

Corn tortillas (or flour)

Optional toppings: Shredded lettuce or cabbage, avocado slices or guacamole, jalapenos, and hot sauce.

Variation: In addition to/or instead of the Tilapia, feel free to add in a pound of uncooked Shrimp! Marinate the shrimp the same way as above, but place the shrimp on skewers for easy grilling. 

Instructions:

Place tilapia filets in a large glass baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, salt & pepper, diced garlic, sliced onions, chopped cilantro and top with pineapple juice. Stir together to be sure each filet is well-coated. Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour before grilling. 

Grill the marinated tilapia along with the onions, on a grill pan (a grill pan has round holes best for cooking fish, shrimp & sliced vegetables). Once the fish turns white, and has a few grill marks on it, it should be ready! Put the tortillas on the grill for a few minutes until heated and lightly browned. 

Serve the Grilled Tilapia with the Pineapple Cilantro Salsa on a platter along with the corn tortillas. Feel free to serve with in your favorite toppings, such as sliced avocados, shredded lettuce or cabbage, and hot sauce. ¡Buen apetito!

Pineapple Cilantro Salsa

Ingredients:

1 8 oz can of pineapple slices or chunks in juice, finely chopped & strained (strain juice & save for Grilled Tilapia marinade - recipe above)
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (remove stems)
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

Juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 tsp of Cumin
Salt & pepper, to taste

A few sprinkles of red pepper flakes, to taste

Optional: 1 small jalapeño, seeds and membrane removed and finely chopped 

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients, pineapple, cilantro, onion, lime juice, cumin, salt & pepper, red pepper flakes and chopped jalapeño, and mix. Chill in fridge until ready to serve with Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos (recipe above). This pineapple salsa is a cool and refreshing accompaniment for any of your favorite grilled fish or chicken dishes.

Mel’s Black & White Bean Salad

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 can Black beans (drained and rinsed)

1 can White beans (drained and rinsed)

1/2 cup corn kernels, cooked

1/2 red onion, chopped

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped (remove stems and chop in mini-prep processor)

2-4 cloves garlic, diced (to taste)

1/2 tsp of Cumin

1/2 tsp of Chili Powder

Red pepper flakes, to taste

Olive oil

Balsamic vinegar

Salt & pepper

Instructions:

Combine all ingredients (beans, corn, onion, cilantro and garlic) together in a glass bowl, add salt & pepper to taste, cumin, chili powder, and red pepper flakes. Then, drizzle in some olive oil and a few splashes of Balsamic vinegar. Mix well. Chill for at least an hour before enjoying. This is a fabulous side dish for any Mexican/Southwest-inspired meal, such as my Grilled Tilapia Fish Tacos...and tastes terrific the next day on a salad or to put in a quesadilla!

Mel's White Citrus Sangria

Make by the glass or a pitcher

Bottle of Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, chilled

Triple Sec (or orange liqueur)

Orange Juice

Pineapple or Mango Juice (or any tropical juice you like!)

Seltzer (plain or lemon/lime)

Dash of cinnamon

Lemons, Limes, Oranges, sliced

Variations: Mint, sliced peaches, mangoes, grapefruit, pineapple, strawberries...the sky is the limit!

By the glass:  Fill wine glass with ice, fill 1/2 wine glass with white wine, 1/2 shot of Triple Sec, and squeeze in 1 lime wedge, 1 lemon wedge and orange slice. Fill remaining 1/4 of the glass with OJ and/or tropical juice, and top with seltzer. Add a dash of cinnamon, stir.  Garnish with a fruit slice. Cheers!

By the pitcher: Fill 1/2 glass pitcher with white wine, squeeze in lime wedges, lemon wedges & orange slices. Fill the other 1/3 of the pitcher with OJ and/or tropical juice, 2 shots of Triple Sec, and top off with Seltzer. Add a dash of cinnamon, stir. Enjoy! 

Fashion: Bold & Beautiful for Spring 2012!

Spring has finally Sprung here in the Northeast! All the shops are bursting with the hottest spring looks! It's the perfect time to start picking up a few bright & bold pieces to jumpstart your winter wardrobe and give you a sunny boost. I love a Pop of Color in a flirty tunic to go over leggings, a funky maxi dress, brightly colored purse or shoes...and of course, lots of bold & beautiful jewelry too spice up your style.

SEXY SPRING JEWELRY:
I am loving Stella & Dot's Spring Collection with it's beautiful silver statement necklaces, bold gold looks, and splashes of turquoise, coral and navy stones seen all over earrings, rings and necklaces. Pictured above are the multi-colored Serenity Necklace, silver Stevie Necklace and gold Bianca Tassel Necklace. Now you can rock these Spring Looks by visiting my online store today! www.stelladot.com/melissarush

The Medina Bib Necklace (pictured above) is the perfect piece to add to your wardrobe for a casual, yet eye-catching new spring look. I love it so much, I wear mine a few times a week!

The Amalfi Collection is rich with gold necklaces & earrings, a splash of turquoise & jade green... reminiscent of an elegant holiday on the Italian island of Capri that you will love all spring & summer. The Capri Chandelier earrings in turquoise (or coral & red) are a must-have to your wardrobe.

The Savanna Collection is inspired by the African safari...with both silver & gold looks, accented by rich coral and navy tones. My faves are the Bahari Necklace (pictured above)... and the Campari Necklace with luscious coral beads.

NAUTICAL NAVY and WHITE:

I have always been a fan of the classic Nautical Look...the essential navy blue & white stripe Parisian sailor top worn over some crisp, white cropped pants and a pair of bright red espadrilles. I lived in this look last summer on our trip to Martha's Vineyard, and love a pop of Coral, Green, Red or Yellow in my stripes as well.  I have seen some cute striped dresses in cotton at stores like Old Navy, Express, as well as adorable handbags, hats & shoes to complement your wardrobe as well.  I love stripes of any kind...thick or thin, diagonal or horizontal.  There is a stripe to suit most every body type (especially for the pregnant ladies!), just be sure the fit is good and flattering for your shape. 

COLOR BLOCKING:
The trend this year is Color Blocking, a fun look on dresses & tops with splashes of coordinating colors that work great on every body type!  I love this look which is a more refined version of those daring & bold '80s looks... and easy to find at reasonable prices at Express, H&M and many other retailers. Great for kids and maternity wear as well!

“From Tommy Hilfiger to Marc Jacobs, designers have released their Spring 2012 collections with designs that have striking, bold color block patterns. Not only is this style flattering to all body forms, but color blocking is very versatile when it comes to pairing. Dark oranges, reds, pastel colors, violets and indigos are going to be big this year, so stock up on clothes with these hues as they will be in style all year long.” -International Business Times

Source: au.ibtimes.com 

Take Me to the Ocean!

It's summer weather in Boston this week...70 degrees today, then 80 degrees on Thursday!? I love it! Time to get a brightly painted pedicure (coral, hot pink or mint green perhaps?) & put on your flip flops! Now get out there & enjoy your day! :)

~~ Follow me on Pinterest! ~~

Date Night In: Best 2012 Oscar-Nominated Films

When you have little ones at home, it's often impossible...if not too expensive (after paying for the babysitter, tickets, overpriced soda & popcorn) to get to the movies with your hubby, partner or paramour. So, most parents opt for renting movies OnDemand or via Netflix instead. I take this as a wonderful opportunity for a romantic date night in! So, put the kiddies to bed, get a bottle of red wine, order in some Thai food or pizza (or make a fabulous meal), get some popcorn, Junior Mints and Twizzlers, and snuggle up to your sweetie! Here are my picks for best 2012 Oscar-nominted films to rent for your next "Date Night In!"

"My Week with Marilyn"
Michelle Williams was absolutely effervescent in her portrayal as the vulnerable and gorgeous icon Marilyn Monroe and was nominated for an Oscar for her performance. I really loved this film, an intimate look at Marilyn behind the scenes while she was filming the "The Prince and The Showgirl" in England with Sir Lawrence Olivier. Her friendship with the young production assistant shows how Marilyn craved having innocent fun and needed to escape her often troubled personal life. It's a good date movie that both men and women would enjoy...it has history, romance...and of course, Marilyn!

"Bridesmaids"
Saturday Night Live actress Kristen Wiig was nominated for an Academy Award for writing the comedy hit "Bridesmaids," and Melissa McCarthy for her role as the sassy and hilarious sister-in-law, and I say, Bravo! If your main squeeze loved "The Hangover: I or II" (or any comedies starring Paul Rudd/Jason Segel/Leslie Mann, et al), this is the perfect comedy to rent on date night! I laughed Out Loud at the theater when I saw it with my girlfriends, and when it came out on cable, my husband (and my in-laws who were in town) rented it one night and we all died laughing. The airplane scene is one of the funniest I've seen in years, not to mention the "bridal salon bathroom debacle" and the Parisisan bridal shower destruction scene. A must-see for a funny date night in!

"Midnight in Paris"
If you love Paris and everything Parisian (like i do!), you'll enjoy Woody Allen's film, nominated for Best Picture and winner of Best Screenplay. It's not a full-out comedy, but more of a dream-like drama, as Owen Wilson, a struggling writer engaged to a rather uptight woman, somehow goes back in time every midnight (suspension of disbelief, folks) to Paris in the Golden Age to rub elbows (and more) with his literary heroes and realizes what he really wants to do with his life. The film takes you back to the Cafe Society of the 1920s to meet those creative geniuses alive during that time, including Ernest Hemingway, Salvador Dali, Gertrude Stein, and F. Scott Fitzgerald. Rent this movie on your next date night. I wouldn't say it's Allen's best film by any stretch, but it's worth renting with your paramour one night while enjoying some wine & cheese, steak frites and creme brûlée.

"The Descendents" - George Clooney & his on-screen daughters play a believable dysfunctional family in this deep, yet depressing film about a mother in a coma who has had an affair and a big decision his character, Matt King, has to make about some historic land his family owns on the island of Kaui. All set against the beautiful backdrop of Hawaii, it's a story of a struggling Dad trying to keep his family together while coming to terms with some seriously heavy issues. Luckily, there is some well-placed comic relief, delivered mostly by his independent and precocious daughters and a funny, stoner-type teenager named Sid. This is wonderful film I enjoyed for the heavier material, realistic humor and good plot twists.

"The Help" - I loved the strength and tenacity of the characters in this "story-within-a-story"about a young  well-to-do writer aiming to expose the truth behind the difficult life on both sides of "The Help" in Jackson, Mississippi's Deep South. It's a very heartfelt and honest film with some perfectly timed comic relief. All of the ladies nominated for Oscars in this inspiring film are excellent...Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer (Oscar Winner for Best Supporting Actress) and Jessica Chastain. This is more of a "chic flick" than a date night film (think, Ladies Book Club), although you might be able to persuade your guy to watch for the infamous Chocolate Pie scene.

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo"
If you read the books, then you know how intensely good Stieg Larsson's "Dragon Tattoo Trilogy" really is. We rented the Swedish-produced trilogy of these thrilling yet terribly disturbing films last year in one weekend (which I highly recommend renting BEFORE seeing the American version). We were drawn in by the intricately-crafted plot lines, intensely troubled and twisted characters, historical references to Nazi Germany and modern day computer-hacking technology. In the American version, newcomer Rooney Mara was nominated for her role as Lisbeth Salander...and her transformation into the film's cyber-punk heroine was remarkable, and she played this tortured role with grace and intensity as she gets revenge against her vicious attacker and helps to solve a decades-old murder mystery alongside Daniel Craig's character, controversial journalist Mikael Bloomkvist. Definitely not a "feel good" movie (to put it lightly!), but a film so good, you have to just gather up the courage to get through the brutal scenes committed against Lisbeth to see it.

Other 2012 Oscar-winning films which I have yet to see, but looking forward to renting once they are available are  "The Artist"- Best Actor, Best Film  and "A Separation" - Best Foreign Language Film.

If you missed any of last year's 2011 Oscar nominees (which had some of the best film made in a long time)...I highly recommend renting all of these ASAP!

2011 Best Picture Nominees:

"Black Swan" 

"The Fighter" 

"Inception"

"The Kids Are All Right"

"The King's Speech" 

"127 Hours" 

"The Social Network" 

"Toy Story 3"

"True Grit" 

"Winter's Bone" 

Happy St. Patrick's Day! (RECIPES: Corned Beef & Cabbage...and Mint Chocolate Brownie Trifle!)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 

Regardless of your heritage, its seems everyone is "Irish" on this exuberant holiday dedicated to green beer, leprechauns, bagpipers, Irish step dancing, silly hats, MacDonald's shamrock shakes (yum!) and lively (and often debaucherous) parades and street parties in every major city. Boston has one of the largest populations of Irish and Irish-Americans in the US, and home to some of the best and most historic Irish pubs in the country. The annual South Boston St. Patrick's Day Parade in "Southie" as the locals call it, is a tradition not to be missed! (Just be prepared for huge crowds of drunken college students, tourists and locals...and very little access to public restrooms!) Visit Boston.com for more information on all the best pubs and places to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!

As full-fledged Irish-American girl, I can tell you it’s an absolute must to have corned beef & cabbage with Irish soda bread to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day!  It takes 4 hours to cook, to start in the morning so it’s ready to serve by lunch time. Be sure to stock your fridge with plenty of Irish lager and stout, such as Guinness Draught and a refreshing favorite of mine, Magner’s Cider...and of course, a bottle of Irish Whiskey! This year, I’m trying out a new tradition for dessert, Mint Chocolate Brownie Trifle! It’s a richly decadent chocolate delight! Have a wonderful holiday! Erin Go Bragh! Sliante! 

Classic Corned Beef and Cabbage

This classic, Irish recipe is sure to warm your hearts and fill your bellies this St. Patrick’s Day!

Prep 10 min

Cook 4 hr 

Yield: about 6 to 8 main course servings

Ingredients

1 (3-pound) corned beef brisket (uncooked), in brine

16 cups cold water

2 bay leaves

2 teaspoons black peppercorns

4 whole allspice berries

2 whole cloves

1/2 large head green cabbage (about 2 pounds), cut into 8 thick wedges

8 small red bliss potatoes (about 1 1/4 pounds), halved

8 small carrots, diced (I added these in, as i love carrots with this dish)

Freshly ground black pepper

Butter, to slather on the carrots, potatoes and cabbage!

Serving suggestion: Whole-grain mustard and/or horseradish sauce

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

Place the corned beef in a colander in the sink and rinse well under cold running water.

Place the corned beef in a large Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid; add the water, bay leaves, peppercorns, allspice, and cloves. Bring to a boil, uncovered, and skim off any scum that rises to the surface. Cover and transfer pan to the oven, and braise until very tender, about 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Transfer the corned beef to a cutting board and cover tightly with foil to keep warm. Add the cabbage, carrots and potatoes to the cooking liquid and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.

Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cabbage to a large platter. Slice the corned beef across the grain of the meat into thin slices. Lay the slices over the cabbage and surround it with the potatoes and carrots. Ladle some of the hot cooking liquid over the corned beef and season with pepper. Serve immediately with butter, mustard and/or horseradish sauce.

Source: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/corned-beef-and-cabbage-recipe/index.html

Mint Chocolate Brownie Trifle

This is a completely decadent and choclately dessert that is sure to be a hit this St. Patrick’s Day or any day, for that matter! Serve with an Irish Coffee (Irish Whiskey in coffee) or a little Bailey's Irish Creme!

2 packages of Brownie mix (Ghiradelli or any other brand, enough for a 9 x 13 pan)

Two chocolate mousse mixes

Two cups cold milk

12 oz. Cool Whip

Green food coloring (to tint the Cool Whip)

One large bag of Andes mints, unwrapped and chopped 

Directions:

Bake brownies and let them cool. 

Blend mousse mixes and milk according to package directions, but do not chill.

Once brownies have cooled, crumble them and place a layer on the bottom of a large trifle bowl, using about half the batch of brownies. 

Next, spoon a layer of chocolate mousse, again, using about half. 

On top of the mousse, make a layer of Cool Whip. 

Finally, add a layer of crushed chocolate mint candies. 

Repeat layers, finishing with a layer of chopped candy. 

Chill for at least three hours. Serve and enjoy!

NOTE: This basic recipe can be easily changed by substituting Heath Bars, Oreo cookies, or any other candies or cookies that you like!

Source: Adapted from “Peppermint Brownie Trifle”

http://justatitch.com/everydaylife/make-this-peppermint-brownie-trifle/

Spring Fashion for the Kids!

Spring is almost here! It's time to start stocking up on new spring clothes for your ever-growing little ones (and for yourself too!).  As children grow so fast, clothing can get really expensive. So, I have scouted out the best places to buy cute but affordable clothing...and remember to always look for the best sales, hunt through the bargain racks & use all of your coupons. Why pay full price?! Here are my favorite stores for kids fashions:

Target
Target is by far my favorite place to shop for my daughter's clothing. Not only are the pieces affordable, but the style is so adorable, modern and cool! I always check the new crop of clothes, but be sure to hunt in the discount racks where items are often 50% off. I just got a bunch of cute & colorful sweatshirts & sweatpants, leggings with funky tunics and two adorable bathing suits! And, they always have guest designers each season like Missoni, and Gwen Stefani's Harajuki Mini collection (image at left) which is so whimsical and cute. These tend to be a little higher priced, but one or 2 pieces are fun to add to your child's wardrobe. This season has a lot of Nautical-inspired stripes & sailor looks, which I love!

Carter's
Carter's is the classic American children's clothing store. Most major department stores tend to carry Carter's as well, such as Kohl's, Macy's and Toys R Us, so many of daughter's first clothes were Carter's, especially when she was an infant/newborn. I find the quality lasts and I usually buy the sets which are a great value. Some of the outfits and dresses can be pricey, especially the bathing suits and party dresses, so I always use my coupons when shopping at Carter's. Be sure to register for their email offers and use their frequent shopper punch card too. It's best to shop at Carter's when there is a major sale. We have even been to Carter's outlets up in Vermont...where you can be sure to get a great deal. Cute Easter fashions in store now.

H&M
H&M is great place to find fun, fashionable & affordable kids clothes. They have some really cute looks, including Hello Kitty for girls and sell sets of t-shrits and leggings too. The only issue is not every H&M store has a Kids Department, so be sure to call or check the website first. I usually have to go to the Boston Downtown Crossing H&M for kids & maternity clothes, as the Dedham Legacy Place store near my house only has Women's. Love the Nautical stripes in red, white & blue.

Gap
I never buy "full price" at the Gap...let's face it, the kid's clothes are quite pricey. As much as I love most of their designs, I just can't bring myself to spend $30 for a size 2T embellished t-shirt for my daughter...sorry folks! Luckily, the Gap has a great sale rack, so be sure to check back often...you can usually find a few cute things in there. And when they have sales or coupons, that is your time to head back to the Gap. I just got an email flyer that Diane Von Furstenburg has created a children's line at the Gap. It is quite pricey, but really adorable...so I may splurge on one cute spring party dress for my daughter...or wait for it for go on sale. :)

Old Navy
Old Navy is great kid's clothes. I have had great luck finding my daughter some fun outfits, dresses and shoes. Very reasonably priced and always cute. They have Hello Kitty, Disney and other popular character items too. Recently, I haven't found a big a selection for toddlers (2T and up), so it's touch and go. I look forward to seeing what they have coming this spring. The Easter looks (pictured above) are adorable!

Kohl's

Kohl's has a great children's section, and carries their own line of clothing called Jumping Beans which I like a lot. They sell t-shirts, leggings, skirts, etc. ala carte, so you can create your own outfits which I like a lot. They are priced really low, like at Target, so I tend to get a lot from Kohl's and Target.  The great thing about Kohl's, is that there is ALWAYS a sale and you can always use your store coupons if you have a Kohl's charge. The best time to shop at Kohl's when they are doing their special $10 cash back with every $50 spent...you can really make out "like a bandit" at Kohl's when all of the stars are aligned. :) Happy Shopping!