Fish Tacos

So good even Alexis loved these fish tacos. 

Fish Taco Ingredients

Yields 8 aprox.

• 1 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup beer
• 1 quart oil for frying
• 1 pound cod fillets, cut into 2 to 3 ounce portions
•  tortillas corn or flour
•  finely shredded cabbage
• cilantro

Baja Sauce Ingredients

Yields 1 1/2 cups

• 1/2  cup  sour cream or plain yogurt
  
• 1/2  cup  mayonnaise
• 2  teaspoons taco seasoning
• 1  small jalapeño pepper, seeded and diced
• 1/4  cup  fresh lime juice
• 1/2  cup chopped fresh cilantro

For sauce combine all ingredients; stir well.

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Directions

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 the 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. 
4. To serve, place fried fish in a tortilla, and top with baja sauce, shredded cabbage, cilantro and a squeeze of lime. 

Amazing Fluffy Frosting

I've searched and searched for the perfect cupcake frosting and finally think I've found it.  This is a little time consuming but well worth it.

Note - when making this - plan for some extra time as some cooling is involved.

Perfect Cupcake Frosting and Filling

3 T Flour

1/2 C milk (whole milk is best, but I used non-fat when it's all I have and it's actually fine)

1/2 C real butter (unsalted)

1/2 C sugar (that's granulated sugar, not powdered sugar)

1 t vanilla extract

Whisk together the flour and the milk. Heat in a small sauce pan on medium heat. Whisk continuously until it starts to thicken.  This is the critical! Let it cook, while stirring, until it looks like pudding (you should be able to see the bottom of the pan when you stir it). Even though it's thick, you can still get it through a mesh strainer (I used a spoon to push it through the strainer) and then let it cool completely to room temp. or chill it in the fridge. It needs to be cooled completely. If you don't let it cool completely, it will melt the butter and you'll have runny frosting.

In an electric stand mixer, beat the butter and the sugar for a minute or two until well combined and fluffy. You'll want to use the whisk attachment on a stand mixer, not the flat paddle. Then while beating, add in the thickened milk mixture and the vanilla. Beat for 8 minutes. Yes, 8 whole minutes, maybe even 9. I know that seems like a long time, but that's when the magic happens! It will go from looking like a weird goopy mess to something thick, velvety smooth, and perfectly fluffy.

I added a little food coloring and strawberry flavoring  - they were a hit!

I've also just left it plain and it's wonderful, almost like whipped cream, very light and soft.

Cake Mix Cookies

 This is the easy recipe ever and you will get super soft moist cookies anyone will love.  These cookies use a box of cake mix for the base, yes that's right, cake mix.  I used triple chocolate from Betty Crocker and added mini M&M's.  For the drizzle I used chocolate candy melts.  Melt them in a bowl, then transfer to a sandwich bag, cut the end of the bag off and drizzle away.  I sprinkled chopped walnuts and some cookies for an extra touch.  If you need to make cookies in a rush and want something special try these.

 

Cake Mix Cookies

 

1 package of cake mix (any flavor)

2 large eggs
1/2 cup of oil

2 tbsp. of water 

1 cup of chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or M&M's (anything you like in cookies)

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Blend cake mix, oil, water, and eggs. Stir in chocolate bits and nuts. Drop by teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet 2-inches apart.

Bake at 350 degrees 10-12 minutes (top of cookies will look soft/pale). Cool on cookie sheet 1 minute, then remove to wire rack.

Makes about 3 dozen. 

Yummy!