Today I want to share a Home Base that showcases a couple of items useful in different dishes.They are versatile,easily accessible and add the spark to foods with amazing flavor when used together. Trying to jazz up meals can be trying during the holiday season with all the holiday comfort foods we tend to bring out at this time of the year. These delectable dishes savored for approximately two maybe three months tend to make a regular meal pale in comparison.When you have a "normal" dinner night during the holiday season changing it up with just a touch or two of different ingredients can make your meal a little more festive!
I use extra virgin olive oil in many of my dishes. Its flavor enhances food to a level that makes you glad you used it. Besides, it's healthy for you!
Basil has a flavor that bursts onto your taste buds with a delightful tang, just remember to use it sparingly as you go because it can be quite pungent. The addition of lime just pulls this combination together giving it a tropical / mediterranean touch to your dish. So with that in mind...let's get started!
Basil - Lime Based Meal
In our house we like the fish Tilapia and tend to eat it frequently. I bake it most of the time. It's mild flavor can be accented in so many ways and when you eat it as often as we do i need to be creative so it doesn't become boring. I recently made a dinner incorporating a simple salad, roasted veggies and tilapia using basil and lime throughout and it was satisfying, tasty and the recipe was put into our monthly rotation. (I don't want to overuse it -so if I go monthly with it - it will be welcomed at the table).
I started with a simple salad of shredded iceberg lettuce and thin sliced tomatoes.I sprinkled about a Tablespoon of dried basil over it and then squeezed the juice of one lime over all and mixed it up just enough to let it begin marinating. The lime juice made the lettuce wilt some but it remained crunchy. I then added some cheese chunks and right before serving it I drizzled extra virgin olive oil on it, mixed together again and that was it!
ROASTED BASIL VEGGIES
3 Potatoes - chunked
3 Carrots - chunked
1 Package of Brussel Sprouts - cleaned with flat ends trimmed off
1/2 stick of Butter
2 TBSP of Olive oil
1 TBSP Basil, Garlic Salt,Pepper
Water - enough to cover bottom only of pan
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a 9" x 13" pan set olive oil, butter and chunked veggies, cover with the basil and seasonings add water and cover with tin foil or use a lid if using an oven safe container with a lid. Set into preheated oven. *
BAKED BASIL LIME FISH
2 TBSP - Olive Oil
1 TBSP - Basil ( I use dried) but fresh is good too
1 Lime - sliced thin - use all of it ( I used the lime I had juiced for the salad)
2 Tilapia filets ( or choose your preference)
1 TBSP of seafood seasoning
On a baking sheet lined with tin foil drizzle 1 TBSP of the olive oil; place lime slices on the oil; place filets on the lime slices and then sprinkle the basil, seafood seasoning, and remaining TBSP of olive oil over the fish. Set in oven and bake for approximately 10-15 minutes or until the fish is opague and flakes easily.
* At this time you would need to stir the roasted veggies ( they should be about halfway done).
I couldn't provide a clear enough picture of the salad but here is a photo of the veggies and fish:
There are so many variants you can use. Go ahead and change up the veggies and fish selections to what you prefer. You could also try grilling,sauteing,or broiling them and they will taste awesome I am sure!
As you become a creative person in the kitchen remember - there will be fails when you try your ideas. Do not be discouraged. These things happen, unfortunately the biggest loss may be the price of what you paid for the food you used.
My fails over the past few weeks were not total losses but I did realize my errors and will try not to do them again. One fail I had to laugh about was when I made a butter cake, poked holes in it and then poured pumpkin pudding & pie spice ( Jell-o brand) over the top. I was too slow in pouring the filling over the cake, the pudding set up too fast and it settled on top of the cake like a frosting and didn't slide down the poked holes! HA-HA-HA!! I should have poured it immediately after it was mixed, instead my end result was a cake that broke up when cut because of all the holes I poked into it and when I served it the pudding on top was SO heavy that every pieced tipped onto its side...every time!! HAHAHAH! BUT....it was sooo tasty good!!!!
Home Base Tip: During this holiday season keep in mind those less fortunate than yourself. Generally, the truly poor, homeless or jobless, or a new mom may come to mind. There are others as well that may need your attention such as those who for whatever reason cannot leave their home or are in a nursing home or rehabilitation center.They may only need an hour of your time occasionally to sit and chat or do some housework or decorate their space with some holiday cheer. It may make the difference of feeling lonely and out of touch to feeling cared about and special even if it is only for a short time. Do it once a week and then...make it your New Year resolution!
"In response to all he has done for us, let us outdo each other in being helpful and kind to each other and in doing good". Hebrews 10:24
Have a wonderful holiday season - there are many holidays to celebrate throughout this time of year! Enjoy what you can! Make your Home Base all it can be ...See you soon!!
