pictures to make your mouth water...

salmon

fried breads (I made a hummus-tehina dip for it!)

curry, pepper, parsley and other interesting ingredients for tilapia

rosemary potatoes

chocolate dipped fruit

balanced and beautiful

Tonight's supper was unbelievable. Now, this supper was not just one great dish, served with some other nice food that went ok together. This meal was co-ordinated, balanced, and really very good! On top of that, the plate was beautiful when I served it, which makes me even happier.

I began by simply opening my freezer. I took out frozen fresh spinach and tilapia. Then I raided my fridge until my hands closed around the perfect ingredient to top this meal: mushrooms. So this is how I began.

I took out a deep pan and melted butter and some olive oil. When that was hot I added in chopped shallots and the mushrooms. I waited for the mushrooms to be tender, and when they had browned just enough I added the spinach (by then they were mostly defrosted and soft enough). I threw in two minced garlic cloves and seasoned it with salt. I left the pepper out since the mushrooms and shallots and garlic were already quite enough. Speaking of garlic, I would just like to mention that if you do not have FRESH garlic, NEVER EVER USE GARLIC POWDER!! Just leave it out of the recipe all together, rather than use the powder. I keep it frozen, so I can take it out when I need it.

Alrigh, onto the fish. Tilapia is the easiest fish to manipulate, so for a first try, it's good to use. I defrosted it in milk, and dipped it in dijon mustard. Then I caked the fish in corn meal, which gave it a really good crust: sturdy and tasty.

Next... rice noodles. I had never made them before, but they are the easiest, simplest side dish ever! You just throw them in a pot of boiling water for a few minutes and there you have it! Since it was my first time making the noodles, I served some brown rice along with it, just in case anyone did not appreciate the new dish.

First of all, I was beaming when I served each person: the green spinach mixed with mushrooms, served with a dash of Parmesan, the fish- a bit yellow, and the white noodles and brown rice made an amazing combo!

Dessert was soon served- fruit tart. It was beautiful, and delicious with a chocolate crust and jelly glaze. I admit, this is the one part of the meal I did not take care of- my sister made it. But it completed the meal perfectly.

Happy eating!