Swordfish on the Grill

We BBQ a lot during the summer.

And, I really mean a lot.

We do the standard hotdogs and hamburgers. But we are also a big fans of Swordfish.

I wish I had a picture, but I don't, so this will have to do (it really does look pretty much the same):

Here's a really good and very easy recipe:

Swordfish on the Grill:

Serves: 2
Time to prep: 10 minutes
Time to marinate: 1-2 hours
Time to cook: 10-20 minutes (depending on thickness)

Ingredients (these do not need to be exact since I usually throw this together without measuring):
- 2 swordfish steaks (about 1/3-1/2 pound each)
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Fresh chopped parsley (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Place swordfish in a shallow dish.
2. Combine remaining ingredients and pour over swordfish
3. Cover and refrigerate for 1-2 hours
4. Heat grill to medium heat and place swordfish on grill
5. Use brush to occasionally coat fish with more marinade juice during the first half of cooking.
6. Flip fish once halfway through
7. Remove fish when middle flakes easily with a fork


Oh, like the picture above? Here's the link to that recipe. It is a Swordfish with tomatillo and corn relish. Yum!

6 Five-Ingredients or Less Appetizers

Super Bowl is coming up and if you're planning a party, you've probably got a lot to think about. These appetizers are perfect for laying out for Super Bowl Sunday and they all have 5 ingredients or less. Plus, they are pretty elegant. Who says you can't have a Super Bowl party with style?

Here's a list with amazing recipes. The links are in the picture and title description:

- Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed with Blue Cheese:

So if you've never had bacon wrapped dates, YOU ARE MISSING OUT!!! They are amazing! Here we've got bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese. I have never tried them but plan to make these to take to my father's house for his annual Super Bowl party. I think I will make half with blue cheese and half without since there are many people who don't care for bleu cheese. I will stuff my face with these babies, seriously.

- Wrap-Party Apps:

This is pretty straight forward. It isn't even really a recipe as much as it is a description. Buy some mozzarella cheese balls and wrap basil leaves around them. Then wrap thin deli meat or thin pieces of roasted red peppers. Secure with toothpick. Easy enough for a last minute appetizer!

- Pigs in a Blanket

This appetizer is just a must. It's so good and so freakin' easy, you'd be crazy not to serve it. Now why it's categorized under "low cholesterol" foods on the site is a mystery. Don't be fooled, these babies aren't low anything.

- Monster Meatball Sandwiches:

I included these for two reasons. First they look good and they are easy to make. Second, they have the word "monster" in the title of the recipe. Enough said.

- Peach and Blue Cheese Bites

Okay, so I really like blue cheese. Is that a crime??? I'm sorry, but the combination of blue cheese and sweet fruit is amazing. Even if you don't typically enjoy blue cheese, you MUST try it with the sweetness of honey, fruit, or fig spread before you make the final decision to never eat it again. It's truly an experience.

- Crostini Combinations to Die for:

I admit that this is from this blog but it fits the post so I'm adding it in. Click on the link to find a few different combinations to top crostinis with- all five ingredients or less!

UPDATE: I made the bacon wrapped dates stuffed with blue cheese and they were amazing. However, next time, I'd probably leave the blue cheese out. To be honest, the flavor of the cheese gets lost in the overpowering taste of bacon and the dates. One thing that I did differently was to sprinkle a little brown sugar over the bacon before baking these. It added a little extra something that made them ever-so-slightly better.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

This wonderful warm drink would be great served on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. It's rich chocolate flavor is balanced perfectly with the freshness of peppermint. I made a cup for myself today and absolutely loved it. Plus, it's easy to make and on;y takes a few ingredients!

I found the original recipe here but have tweaked it to my liking.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Servings: 4 (about 1 cup hot cocoa each)

Time to prepare: 1-2 mins Time to cook: 5 mins

Ingredients:

- 4 cups whole milk

- 3-4 ounces dark chocolate (I used chocolate melties)

- 8 candy canes (4 crushed, 4 whole)

- toppings of choice (marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, etc.)

Directions:

1. Pour milk into a medium saucepan. Heat until milk is hot but not boiling. Add chocolate and crushed candy canes. Whisk until thoroughly mixed and candy canes and chocolate have completely melted.

2. Pour into mugs. Top with favorite toppings (I used mini marshmallows) and stick candy can in each mug. Serve immediately. Candy canes can be stirred to add more mint flavor to drink.

Easiest Christmas Snacks Ever!

I had seen a couple of ideas for how to make these on Pinterest and other sites but decided to get some different types of candy from the store and experiment a bit. I have to say, these were by far the easiest Christmas candies/cookies ever! Oh, and they all tasted awesome. I made three different types and couldn't decide which was my favorite =)

AND... I did it all in the microwave!!!!

Rolo Turtle Pretzels

Ingredients:

- Rolos

- Pretzels

- Pecan halves

Peppermint Kisses Pretzels

- Peppermint flavored kisses

- Pretzels

- Green and red M&Ms

Dark Chocolate M&M Pretzels

- Dark chocolate melts (or chocolate kisses can be used if milk chocolate is preferred)

- Pretzels

- Green and red M&Ms

Directions:

Step one: place pretzels on plate covered in parchment paper. Top each with chosen candy (either Rolo, Kisses, or Chocolate Melts).

Step two: Place in microwave and heat at 50% power for 20 seconds. Check to see if candies are melted enough that they are soft and formable throughout.

Step three: top each with chosen candy (M&M or pecan) and push down into melted candy. Place in freezer or fridge to harden and remove from parchment paper.

Whole Grain Mustard Ham and Jack Cheese Sandwiches

Warm Lunch Sandwich for a Cool Fall Day

For today's post, I'm going to present one of my favorite personal recipes. It's easy, fast, and only requires 4 ingredients (plus oil). I'm actually going to start a label section on recipes with 5 ingredients or less (not including oil, salt, and pepper of course).

This wholegrain mustard ham and jack cheese sandwich is perfect for a nice, small, warm lunch on these cool fall days. It's a little spicy, but I'm a lightweight so it might be pretty mild for those who love heat.

Wholegrain Mustard Ham and Jack Cheese Grilled Sandwich

Time to prepare: 5 mins Time to cook: 10 minutes

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

- 2 Slices white bread

- 1 TBSP Wholegrain Dijon Mustard (got mine from Trader Joe's)

- 1 Deli Slice of spicy Jack Cheese (I used three small pieces to cover bread)

- 2 Thick Slices Ham

- oil or butter for pan

Directions:

1. Place cheese on one slice of bread and top with ham. Spread mustard on other slice.

2. Put slices together and heat a skillet over medium heat. Add oil/butter (I used cooking spray). Place sandwich on skillet. Cook five minutes on each side or until cheese is melted throughout. Serve immediately.

It's super easy and is one of the best tasting warm sandwiches in my book. Yum!