Romantic Dinner For Two On A Budget

Romantic Dinner For Two On A Budget

Ingredients:
4 medium-sized catfish fillets
1 cup cornmeal
1 teaspoon grill seasoning (or ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper, and ¼

Directions:
teaspoon garlic powder)
1 teaspoon Tajins chili-lime spice (you can find this in the Mexican food aisle of
most grocers, or you can substitute ½ teaspoon ground red pepper, zest of one
lime, and ½ teaspoon salt)
1 fresh lime, cut in half
sea salt
½ cup oil (I like a combination of coconut and olive oil to equal about ¼ inch in
your pan)
Heat oil in iron skillet on medium high until it is sizzling hot. Gently rinse fish fillets
with fresh water and pat dry. Squeeze a little fresh lime juice over all the fillets, both
sides. Then sprinkle both sides of the fillets with some good sea salt. Pour cornmeal
on a plate or shallow wide bowl and mix in the grill seasoning and chili lime spice.
Place fillets, one at a time, in cornmeal mixture, pressing the fish into it until it is
lightly coated all over.
Using tongs, lay each fillet into the sizzling oil. Let cook until the bottom is golden
brown and crisp, and then turn over and cook the other side. Don’t crowd the pan too
much; cook in batches if needed. When done, place on a paper-towel-lined plate and
let any extra oil drain off. Test a bite to see if it needs more seasoning, and if so,
sprinkle with additional Tajin or sea salt while it is still hot. Serve with tartar sauce,
fresh lemon or lime, or cocktail sauce.
• Gluten free
Stewed Summer Veggies
I love to make this in the summer when Jared’s uncle brings me bags full of
vegetables from his organic garden. If you have a garden, or a generous gardening
friend, this is the ultimate budget meal — almost free! Even though it’s a warm
soup, it’s nice and light and isn’t too filling for a romantic dinner for two under the
stars. — Rachel
Serves 3 – 4.