Catfish Are Jumpin'
For the last two months I have probably done more cooking than has been done in the last two years. I've been very diligent in making sure my mom has three very good, very tasty, very nutritious meals every day since she's been home from the hospital. I vaguely remember having to come up with daily dinner menus from back in the day when my girls were in school. But that was a long, long time ago. I haven't had to do meal planning for 20 years. Organization - writing out menus and shopping lists for a week at a time, balancing proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables, lots of potassium-rich comestibles. It gets harder and harder to be creative. There's been so much going on to do much planning in the last couple of weeks, so I just threw some stuff in the shopping cart and then threw it together in a pan. It was fabulous, if I do say so myself.
My new favorite thing to do is cook basmati or jasmine rice in coconut milk instead of water. The rice comes out creamy and a little sweet. I was dazzled by the colors of these little peppers at the grocery store, had to have some. I sliced up about six, along with a red onion and caramelized them in olive oil. Then I dredged some fat little pieces of catfish in flour and Creole seasoning. The fish cuddled into the pan to brown a bit and then garden-fresh chopped tomatoes went in last. Oh, it was so yummy! I served big fat artichokes to go with and fresh figs for dessert. Yay, summer!!!
think i may be booking a table at your place for dinner!
Posted by: Joy | September 03, 2007 at 03:58 PM
Your impromptu dinner sounds delish!!!! Somewhere I read that whilst raising her big brood of children Rose Kennedy put together a rotation of 14 meals... if it was the second Tuesday of the month we must be having roast beef... I figured if it was good enough for the Kennedys it was good enough for us, so I had a rotation of menus (mine varied by summer and winter seasons) and every now and then I went off course and did something wild and crazy just because that's the kind of girl I am ... but it was a plan that saved time and money. Every week I knew precisely what the grocery bill would be. As a single parent this was crucial.
Posted by: Jenny | September 03, 2007 at 04:38 PM
I cook my rice in coconut milk all the time. I agree with your review. More people should try it but be warned that it is addictive. I use the reduced fat kind and it turns out just as good.
I have never eaten a fig though. I hope I get a chance to try one soon.
Posted by: LeeAnn | September 03, 2007 at 05:09 PM
Yummy...what time is dinner tomorrow? That looks so delicious!
Priscilla
Posted by: Flea Market Queen | September 03, 2007 at 07:32 PM
Ohhh, that looks yum! Rice in coconut milk, huh? Definitely something to think about....
Posted by: Thimbleanna | September 04, 2007 at 08:03 AM
Oh yummy!! It looks and sounds soooo good. I am not sure about the figs, never had them fresh. The kids would love the rice, for breakfast. Will have to try it.
Love Erin~
Posted by: Erin Earls | September 04, 2007 at 08:55 AM
artichokes are my FAVORITE!
Posted by: jen b | September 04, 2007 at 10:08 AM
Help - do you substitute all of liquid with the coconut milk or just part of it. I want to try that.
Love some catfish too- we have spent many a saturday night frying fish with friends. I always slipped and broke off the crispy part of the tail for me.
Posted by: teresa (maggiegracecreates) | September 04, 2007 at 11:17 AM
OMG!! That meal looks delicious! I'm going to try the coconut milk in my rice next time. That sounds wonderful. And artichokes and fresh figs....heaven!
Posted by: Janet | September 04, 2007 at 12:12 PM
Yum!! Rice in coconut milk sounds fabulous! And I have a can of it in my pantry just waiting to try to something new!
Posted by: Roxanne | September 04, 2007 at 01:22 PM
My mouth is watering!
Posted by: Dinah | September 04, 2007 at 01:31 PM
Did someone say "catfish" ?? You don't have to call me twice...or at all even, just say "catfish" LOLx2
(( ))
Posted by: Francie | September 04, 2007 at 04:15 PM
I have just been craving figs lately--a new taste for me. I guess it's the end of the season though. I finally found some, but they were past their prime. Shame. Maybe I can find a cookie recipe that will salvage them...
Such a sensuous fruit.
Posted by: Barb | September 04, 2007 at 08:46 PM
Ah, fresh figs. How I love them. How I miss them.... drat.
Posted by: laeroport | September 05, 2007 at 09:54 AM
This one is going on my blog too. I LOVE coconut rice and your whole dinner sounded really delicious. Great pics too! You're the Queen :)
Posted by: Jenny | September 05, 2007 at 09:27 PM