Fish Fry!

I start with the following "fry mix" and improvise as I go. Sometimes I add seasonall or other spices. I have used this mix with Tilapia, Orange Roughy and Catfish and it was good with all of them. Oh - and by the way - 2 of my kids "don't like fish"... but they like this. I think it's the crispness that helps.

Fish Fry Mix:

cooking oil

milk or lightly beaten egg

1 C cornmeal
2 tbsp seasoned salt
1/2 tsp chili powder, more or less
2 tsp paprika
salt and pepper to taste

Depending on the size, this should be enough for 6-8 fish fillets.

Heat oil in pan. (or can use deep fryer) Mix dry ingredients together and place in ziploc bag. Take each fish fillet and quickly brush with milk or beaten egg and then turn in bag to coat. Fry in hot oil in pan a few minutes each side. Continue turning every few minutes until golden brown and desired crispness. Drain on paper towel or parchment paper.

Tips: I like to buy the individually flash-frozen fillets. I take them out of the package and rinse slightly before using. I don't even thaw them out and they are perfect. This seems to help the fish from falling apart in the pan as well. Also, covering the pan with a lid helps to cook evenly and reduces hot oil spatters.

Yummy-Mummy Halloween Calzones

We made our own Yummy Mummy calzones and they were fun! Kids enjoyed them too! Not as pretty as the ones on the recipe video, but I thought they still turned out great! Try these next year and get the kids involved. For recipe click here....Rhodes Rolls Yummy Mummies

Way Cool Halloween Calzones

Easy Alfredo Sauce

So easy... I PROMISE!!!!!

1/2 cup butter (1 stick)

2 cloves chopped garlic, more or less to taste.

1 pkg. (8 oz.) cream cheese, cut into 4 pieces

1 cup half and half

1/2 cup fresh Parmesan cheese

Salt & Pepper, to taste

Begin to melt butter and add garlic. When butter is almost melted, add cream cheese. Cook over med-low heat, stirring frequently. When cream cheese and butter start to blend and get a little bubbly, add in half & half and parmesan. Continue stirring frequently over low-med heat. Cook till smooth and creamy. Add salt & pepper to taste.

*I cut up the leftover chicken from my Ranch Chicken Almandine (click here) and mixed everything together with my leftover Amish Noodles (drained).

Ranch Chicken Almandine

This is a slight variation on my Ranch Chicken (click here) . We had this for Sunday Dinner, and it was a hit!

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts, or Thighs

1 packet dry Ranch Dressing mix

1 stick butter, melted

handful slivered Almonds (optional)

Lightly spray 9x13 pan with cooking spray. Arrange chicken pieces to fit (can use the frozen ready chicken). Pour dry dressing mix evenly over chicken. Drizzle with butter. Sprinkle lightly with slivered almonds. Bake uncovered @ 350 for about an hour, or until chicken tests done.

hint: I use leftover chicken pieces and butter-ranch sauce in Alfredo the next day.

Shoyu Chicken

Ok, I am reposting this one since I have a pic finally. We had this for dinner tonight, and as usual my kids absolutely love it. Served with rice and steamed veggies (and grilled pineapple if you've got it)... yum...

(Hawaiian Soy Chicken)

ALOHA!!! Ok - I have my old college roomie from BYU-Hawaii to thank for this recipe!!! It's simple & easy on the budget and oh-soooooo-good!!! I found a pack of fryer legs & thighs for $1.09/lb on sale!!!!! Double YAY for me!


4-5 lbs fryer chicken pieces (skin on)
cooking spray
1 C water
1 C soy sauce
1 C sugar

Spray inside of Large stock pot. Leave skin on chicken, and brown chicken in pot. Add remaining ingredients to pot, stirring every few minutes. Bring to boil. Turn heat down to LOW and simmer about an hour. Oh - and you can remove skin before eating if you're feeling "guilty" about it, hehehe.

Serve with steamed rice.


YUMMY!!!!!!!!! My Kids LOVE this dish. Mahalo Ardis!!!

Simple Shortcake Supreme

This is what I made for dessert tonight. And seriously... it is soooo simple!!!

Servings: 6

12 shortcakes
1 box instant vanilla pudding mix
1 1/2 C milk
1 mixed berry yogurt
Cool Whip
Fresh berries

Mix pudding mix and milk and chill in refrigerator about 5 minutes or until set. Mix 1/2 yogurt with equal part cool whip. Take a shortcake and spread pudding on top. Add berries and drizzle with yogurt mix. Top with second shortcake, followed by pudding, berries and yogurt mix. Add dollop of Cool Whip and top with berry.

Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.