Fish tacos with lime cilantro slaw

I seriously love fish tacos.  When I first discovered them nearly ten years ago there was no turning back.  They are filling, flavorful and healthy if you grill the fish rather than fry.  They are delicious both ways and this fish taco with flavorful lime cilantro slaw will not disappoint.  In traditional tacos, most people fill with lettuce cheese and tomatoes,  but I love the way shredded cabbage compliments the lightness of the fish.   I love to serve these with crunchy tortilla chips and beans. It is the perfect dinner!

Fresh Juicy Limes 

 Shredded cabbage

Sour Cream

Ground Cumin

 Jalapeno adds the right kick and a hint of spiciness

Does this make you a little hungry? Lets make fish tacos!

Ingredients:

1 quart oil for frying
1 pound cod fillets or your choice of fish, cut into strips
1 (12 ounce) package corn tortillas
1 bag slaw mix ( shredded cabbage)

Fish Batter

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1 egg
1 cup beer

Cilantro Lime Slaw 

Slaw mix or 1/2 cabbage head shredded 

2/3 cup sour cream

3 tablespoons fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/3 cup minced onion

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon mexican oregano

1/2 jalapeno minced 

 Combine all ingredients and toss with cabbage and set aside.

Instructions: 

1. To make beer batter: In a large bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Blend egg and beer, then quickly stir into the flour mixture (don't worry about a few lumps).
2. Heat oil in deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
3. Dust fish pieces lightly with flour. Dip into beer batter, and fry until crisp and golden brown. Drain on paper towels. Lightly fry tortillas; not too crisp. To serve, place fried fish in a tortilla, and top with lime cilantro slaw

You can also grill your fish for a healthier alternative

 

Note: A dash of hot sauce makes the tacos even more flavorful:-)

Natural High...

A natural high is a beautiful thing.  You don't need drugs or alcohol to get high.  All you need is a willing spirit and the stamina to take the journey to the high place.  When you start the journey, keep the end in mind because that will help you put one foot in front of the other when you get tired. And you will get tired.

My feet are firmly planted.

And I climb.  These are the stairs I climb several times a week and sometimes I am so tired I don't have the energy to climb.  Sometimes, I am so tired that I am practically crawling, but I know what I am trying to get to.  So I press towards the mark.

And sometimes I have to stop and rest.  But I know that if I want to get to the high place, I need to start back climbing. Before I start back on the journey I look up, because all good things come from above.

Not everyone will understand your journey. And your feet will tread in unfamiliar territory.

They don't have to understand. Sometimes you won't even understand. Just climb

The gift is in the journey. Take it all in

Smile in anticipation

 Because there is nothing like the view from the top

I am at the top of a mountain that overlooks Los Angeles.  The view from here was worth the climb it took to get here. Stairs, dirt, uneven terrain, I had one thing in mind, I wanted to be in a high place.  Look at your life this way when that climb gets exhausting.

Shirt: F-21, Boots: private label boutique, bracelets: Indian Boutique, Chain: took it off an old purse:-) Handbag: Mimi's Boutique

 The wonderful thing about the journey is that now you can reach back and help someone else reach their high place.  A view like this is much better when it is shared:-)

He makes my feet like hinds' feet, and sets me upon my high places.

 Psalm 18:33

Have an amazing day!

Park Bench People

 

The plight of people suffering affects me. It always has.  There are some who are fortunate enough to be walking advertisements of success and others who are the poster child for poverty. I saw a very polished woman at the gas station. She was impeccably dressed in designer wear from head to toe and she was driving a very nice luxury vehicle. I looked at her and thought, that is one together woman.  A homeless man in a wheelchair asked her for some spare change and she threw five fingers up as if she were saying “talk to the hand” At that moment this woman no longer looked so polished. Her actions made her ugly in my eyes. Even if she didn’t have any spare change, there was a more dignified way she could have addressed this man.  I watched the exchange and when he came my way and asked for some money, I told him I didn’t have much to spare but I had a few coins in the car. He said: “Thank you, that is certainly more than I have now” It broke my heart that someone already in a bleak situation could  be treated so unkind.

I thought about him and the multitude of people who call park benches home.  For me a park bench is where I go to write, reflect, meditate and relax, but for someone else, it is home.  

This economy is the worst we have seen since the great depression and quiet as it's kept, there are a lot of us who are a paycheck away from being park bench people.  People have interesting stories  and I always listen. Even a park bench person has a story to tell.   

I met a homeless lady a couple of years ago and we struck up an interesting conversation about life and about the power of God. It was early in the morning and before we parted I shared with her that I was excited to be going to New York in a few hours and she asked if it was ok to get my cell phone number, which I didn't hesitate to give to her. About eight hours later I had a message on my phone from her telling me she was thrilled to have met me and she hoped I landed safely in New York. The well wishes of a complete stranger really touched me.  If you are kind to people you certainly get that back. That is my credo in life to be a blessing to other people and I don’t care how much or how little they have.

He has a story to tell

 What if this was your address?

He is the face you see without a name, but he is not invisible

I have no right to complain about anything. I sit on this bench and ponder that the real meaning of life is to have compassion and love for people.  To try each day to touch someone...

 This leaf necklace, a symbol of nature. If you want to see God, just open your eyes and admire his creations.

This ring sparkles brightly against this black ensemble.  You and I are called to shine in dark places too. You might be all the light someone sees.

sometimes in life, all you can do is stand

God has put all things under your feet

And the most powerful book in the world says:   

“Whatever you do to the least of people, you do to me”

Matthew 25: 35-40

The song Park Bench People by Freestyle Fellowship is one of the most moving songs I have heard about the plight of the homeless.  Mykah 9, the original vocalist actually improvised the lyrics to this song about his experience  being homeless in the Leimert  Park area of Los Angeles. I find that kind of talent and that kind of heart inspiring.

The song is powerful and even has a sample of the Freddie Hubbard classic “Red Clay”.  I have included two interpretations  by Jose James.  They are raw, jazzy and very improvisational, much like the original.

Here is to a field of dreams and park bench people having a better tomorrow.

Zebra Stripes

Happy Monday! How was \your weekend? For some of us the weekend is still going on since today is a holiday:-) Today my ensemble is neutral colors with a pop of red and zebra shoes. If you have a moment, check out another jolt my style segment on the Mimi Boutique site featuring yours truly:-) 

You can see it by clicking here. I have got something thought provoking in store for you later this week. I am looking forward to sharing it with you and until then, make today wonderful and I hope you enjoy the photos. 

 

 White shirt:  Burlington Coat Factory, Vest: Rainbow:, Shoes: Rampage, Bag: Charlotte Russe, Bead Necklace: Mimi Boutique, Jeans: Nordstrom, Joy: God