Tonight's Meal....

Bacon Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, Fresh Corn Casserole and a Berry Dutch Baby for dessert. The tilapia was pretty decent, although I think next time I'll use the little "bottled" parmesan cheese rather than shredded parmesan. I think it will help the bread crumbs stick to the fish a little better. I also took a shortcut and used already cooked bacon—MUCH easier. Ben made a good point—maybe next time I should wrap partially cooked bacon around the fillets and then let it finish cooking with the fish.

Bacon Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Coastal Living Magazine and www.myrecipes.com

8 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
1 1/2 cups soft breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 large eggs
4 (5 to 6-ounce) tilapia fillets
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
4 tablespoons butter, divided
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided


Instructions: Combine first 4 ingredients in a shallow dish. Set aside.
Place flour in a shallow dish. Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper, and dredge in flour. Shake off excess, dip fish into egg, and press gently into breadcrumb mixture.
Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy skillet over medium heat until butter melts. Add 2 fish fillets; cook 3 minutes on each side or until golden. Repeat with remaining butter, oil, and fish.

I didn't have quite as much luck with the fresh corn casserole. It's a pretty simple recipe—six ears fresh, uncooked corn on the cob, 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream, 3 tablespoons of butter and salt and pepper to taste. Somehow mine came out a very creamy, but runny mess. Rest assured it was good, though. I'll have to re-experiment some day soon.

Dessert, however, was my pride and joy. Behold, I give you the Berry Dutch Baby!





A Dutch Baby is similar to a German Pancake...only somehow it became Dutch. And since my husband is a Dutch baby and my baby is a Dutch baby...(but part German too), I was outnumbered and made this one. Boy, was it yummy!!! And SO incredibly EASY to make!!! It was intended for breakfast this morning, but my friend Sarah had a gallbladder attack over the weekend and wasn't able to make it down. So back in the fridge it went, and I took it out for dessert.

Berry Dutch Baby

A wonderful baked pancake that can be quickly put together without fuss. While this recipe calls for berries, pitted fruits -- peaches, plums, nectarines -- can be used with or instead of berries. If you enjoy tangy flavors, try substituting plain yogurt or buttermilk for half the milk.


3 large egg whites
2 large eggs
1 Cup All-Purpose flour
1 Cup nonfat milk
2 Tablespoon Sugar
2 Teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 Teaspoon Salt
1 Tablespoon unsalted butter or margarine
3 1/2 Cup raspberries or strawberries or blueberries (or a combo)
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
2 Tablespoon powdered sugar

Instructions: 1. Pre heat oven to 425 degrees. Place cast iron skillet or other ovenproof frying pan in the oven.

2. Blend together the egg whites, eggs, flour, milk, sugar, vanilla, and salt until smooth.

3. Add butter to the hot skillet, swirling to melt butter and coat both bottom and sides of pan.

4. Pour the batter into the pan and bake 25 minutes or until until the Dutch baby is puffy and well-browned.

5. While the cake is baking, mix the cinnamon and berries in a bowl.

6. Spoon the berries onto the Dutch baby and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

7. Serve hot.

And for the first time in I've TOTALLY lost track of how long, Ben and I had an HOUR of uninterrupted time together!!!! Adri decided she didn't want to lie down this afternoon (got too long of a catnap in the car), so she was MORE than ready to go to bed at 8:30pm. It took me all of 5 minutes to get her to sleep! We're going to HAVE to figure out how to do this at home when we go back. There has to be SOMEPLACE in that house that we can go to get away from prying eyes and ears. Anyone up for drywalling?

posted by Brandi at 8:55 PM