Guests for Dinner: Mexican Night {Recipes #80-82}

I love having dinner with friends!

Our first apartment is tiny {been wondering why there aren't any pictures? ;)} so we haven't had very many people over.. but each time we do we have so much fun hosting!

Our good friends Kendra and Nate had us over to their first house earlier in the fall so we returned the gesture by having them over for a Mexican Fiesta and Card Night. Of course neither the Mexican "theme" nor the Card Night part had been determined prior to the week. It worked out well though, and we had lots of fun catching up with them!

I decided to make several recipes from Pioneer Woman's cookbooks. I made Tequila Lime Chicken & Mexican Rice and then I made up my own Black Bean recipe.

We also started the night out with my FAVORITE guacamole recipe and chips. Always a hit! It's SO good!

Mexican Black Beans

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

Canola oil

1 Tsp. minced garlic

1/4 cup or less of finely chopped onion

2 Cans of black beans, mostly drained

1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 tsp. cajun seasoning

1) Put the oil, garlic and onion in a sauce pan over medium-high heat. Saute the garlic and onion until the onion is translucent. Add the drained black beans with a bit of the canned liquid. Add the spices to taste or as recipe states. Cook until warmed through. Serve with your favorite Mexican dish or as I did with Pioneer Woman's recipes!

What is your favorite meal for entertaining?    

All for now,

Alexandra

Parmesan Red Pepper Crusted Tilapia {recipe #33}

This is a nice light meal, that is easy to make and VERY flavorful!

Parmesan Red Pepper Crusted Tilapia

{Borrowed, Enjoyed and Adapted from: Busy Family Dinners}

Serves 4

Ingredients:

4 Tilapia fillets

1 or 1/2 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1 tsp Italian seasoning

1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper

1/2 cup REAL Grated Parmesan Cheese

1/4 cup Egg {whipped up} or Egg Substitute 

1) Whisk up 1 egg with or without a bit of milk in a bowl. In another bowl add the pepper flakes, spices and cheese. 

2) Dredge {dip} the fillets in the egg mixture and then the cheese mixture. Repeat until all are covered.

3) Place fillets in a baking dish {we used our silpat lined cookie sheets}. Bake at 425 degrees F for 10-15 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

Serve with your favorite salad and bread! 

Enjoy!

What is your favorite easy fish dish?

All for now,

Alexandra