Red Snapper for One (1) ... Me!

So ... if you check out my other blog karmalizedlife, you'll know why I'm cooking for one. Not going to get into that here though because this blog is all about food fabulous food. Fun food. Flirtatious food. All things food ;) I haven't posted many recipes on FoodFlirt because I go out a lot, but things change, everything is always shifting and something tells me I'll be cooking a lot more in the upcoming year! YAY!!!

I tried out for The Next Food Network Star yesterday and my "unique culinary point of view" has truly always been off the cuff cooking ... impromptu meals using whatever happens to be hanging out in your kitchen on a random Monday night. After hitting the gym, I wanted to make something healthy. This is what transpired in about thirty minutes.

Opted for a no/low carb dinner.Opened fridge/freezer - noted contents: Fish, just bought, veggies needed to be used, and plenty of condiments! Pulled out ingredients I felt would make a simply smashing meal based on flavors I was craving at the moment. Note: This ingredients list looks long but you can really add or leave out anything you like ... except the fish:) I'm all about ANYTHING GOES cooking! Use what you have on hand and don't be afraid to experiment! It's just food!

Ingredients:
FOR VEGGIE CREATION
2 tsp olive oil
1 c frozen okra, sliced
1/2 c red onion, chopped
1/2 c frozen, shelled Edamame (soy beans)
1/2 red jalapeno, finely diced (or green)
3-4 cloves garlic, diced (I use a meat hammer to smash the cloves out of their skin. Works great! )
1/3 c white wine that's too cheap or old to drink
salt
pepper
garlic powder (optional)
ginger orange marinade (or some type of Asian soy based sauce)
1/4 - 1/2 tsp tsp orange extract (optional but SUPER good)

FOR FISH
Spray Olive Oil (or any oil)
1/2 lb red snapper or any light flaky fish you luv! (Tilapia, Dover Sole, Cat Fish)
Salt
Pepper
Lemon Mayo (I like Lemonaise Light but you can just mix mayo with lemon juice)
Olive Tapenade (optional)
1/4 c white wine that's too cheap or old to drink

FOR SALAD
1/2 tomato, sliced
1 ear fresh corn, cut from cob ( I prefer white)
sesame seeds (I like black for the visual effect but toasted are tastier!)
salt
pepper
Galeos World's Best Miso Dressing (it is SERIOUSLY SO DIVINE and healthy, but use any Asian style dressing you have or whip up 1T olive oil, 1/2 tsp sesame oil, 1T soy sauce, 2tsp lime, lemon, orange juice)
DIRECTIONS:
1) Prep all veggies (including salad veggies) meaning wash, chop, cut slice, set aside.

ONIONS


GARLIC

GARLIC DICED AND JALAPENO


2) Salt and pepper both sides of fish then coat each side with Lemonaise or mayo mixed with lemon juice.
3) Spray 1 large and 1 small frying pan with oil.

4)Add olive oil to small frying pan over high heat, then add all veggies listed under "veggie creation," ending with garlic. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 3-5 minutes before adding seasonings and sauces listed. Continue to stir veggies as needed.

5) While veggies are cooking, spray large pan with oil and heat over medium high-heat. Add fish and cook 3-4 minutes on one side.

Use a nifty screen like this to keep oil from splattering on you and long spatula like this for fish!

Flip fish and spread 1T olive tapenade over each piece. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook fish for 3 more minutes or until center is just cooked.

6)While fish is cooking, put tomatoes and corn in salad bowl, sprinkle with black sesame seeds, salt, pepper (optional) and dress lightly.
7) Once fish is cooked, ladle veggies onto center of plate making a "bed" for fish to rest upon.
8) Use a spatula to place fish atop veggie mix.

9) Place large frying pan back over high heat and de-glaze with white wine by getting the pan hot, then pouring the wine in and using a spatula to scrape up the "the good bits." This makes a quick and delish little sauce to pour over the fish.

10) Pour yourself a glass of your favorite white (if you haven't already) ... I chose Pieropan, Soave Classico, 2007. Actually, the wine guy at Bristol farms chose that for me. :)

Enjoy your solo you flirtatious devil or deviless! ~xoxo~ FoodFlirt