Baked Tilapia & Homemade Hush Puppies

I missed a few days of posting recipes, so I'm posting two today!

These recipes are super easy and super fast.

BAKED TILAPIA

2 tilapia filets (or more if you choose)

seasoned salt

lemon pepper seasoning

fresh lemon

*Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Place tilapia on a sheet of aluminum foil in a casserole dish.  Squeeze the juice from half a lemon over the filets.  Sprinkle with desired amount of lemon pepper and seasoned salt.  Seal with foil.  Bake for 25 min. or until flaky.  This always turns out very juicy.  I don't eat fish, but Brian loves this and says with this recipe he cannot tell the difference between the fresh tilapia and the frozen tilapia.

REBECCA'S HUSH PUPPIES

1 c. white cornmeal

1/4 c. self-rising flour

1 egg

1 large onion, chopped

2 Tbsp. sugar

enough buttermilk to make a stiff batter**

Combine ingredients.  Drp by teaspoonfuls into a deep, medium hot oil until perfectly browned.  Drain on a paper towl.  Sprinkle lightly with salt.  A small ice cream dipper works great for these.

**I never have buttermilk on hand, so what I do is make my own.  Put 1 Tbsp. lemon juice (or white vinegar if you don't have the lemon juice) in a measuring cup.  Fill the remaining cup to the 1 cup line with milk.  Stir and let set 5 minutes.  Now you can use this as your buttermilk.  Remember, it will NOT take the whole cup.

Hamburger Casserole--A One Dish Meal

This casserole has all you need (except dessert) in one dish.  It is super easy and super tasty.

1 pkg. ground chuck

1 Tbsp. oil

2 c. cooked rice

2 cans stewed tomatoes

1 tsp. salt

1/3 tsp. pepper

4 Tbsp. chopped onion (you know me...I put a whole onion)

1 box Jiffy cornbread mix (can use 2 if you like a lot of bread)

1 egg for cornbread

1/3 c. milk for cornbread 

*Brown meat.  Add salt, pepper & onion.  Cook rice.  Add the stewed tomatoes (juice, too) & rice to the meat mixture.  Mix the Jiffy cornbread mix as directed on box.  Add the cornbread mixture to the top of the meat, rice & tomato mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees until cornbread is done--about 14 minutes.

Grape Salad

This grape salad is a great cool treat for a hot day.  It also makes a lot, so it's good for taking to church or other spring & summer get-togethers.  I don't have a picture to post right now, but I'm sure I will be making this very soon, and I will come back and post a picture.

1 large bag red seedless grapes

1 large bag green seedless grapes

8 oz. cream cheese

8 oz. sour cream

1 jar marshmallow cream

1/2 c. sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

*Mis all ingredients together & stir in grapes.  Refrigerate several hours before serving.

Easiest Ever Strawberry Pie

Approx. 3 baskets of fresh strawberries

1/2 c. sugar

1 Graham Cracker crust (most people use a regular pie crust...my family prefers these)

1 carton strawberry glaze (usually found with the fresh strawberries)

1 carton Cool Whip

*Slice strawberries in a bowl and toss with sugar.  Pour in pie crust.  Cover with glaze and stir gently to coat all the strawberries.  Place a dollop of Cool Whip on top.  Refrigerate to keep cool.

Squash Fritters

OK...These are soooo yummy and a GREAT way to get kids to eat squash if they normally don't like them.  My mama always made these and they just melt in your mouth.  They are best when eaten shortly after they come out of the grease.  I don't have a picture of these yet, but I will cook some next week and post one.  Don't wait on the picture...go ahead & cook some.  You will love them!

4-6 squash
1 c. self-rising flour
2 tsp. baking powder
2 eggs
enough milk to make to it the consistency of pancake batter (my mama never did measure too many things)

*Cook squash 5 min. in the microwave with a tiny bit of water (again, no real measurement...just a tiny bit).  While that is cooking go ahead & mix all other ingredients to make the batter.  Once the squash are cooked, mix them in with the batter.  Drop by teaspoonfuls into hot grease.  Immediately roll in powdered sugar. 

It makes my mouth water just thinking about them.

Pasta Salad

I got this recipe from my sweet friend, Stacy.

In her own words, it is YUM-MERS!!!

Dressing:

1/2 c. oil

1 c. sugar

1 c. white vinegar

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

1 tsp. garlic powder

2 Tbsp. prepared mustard

*Mix all ingredients & set aside.

Salad:

1 lb. spiral macaroni, cooked

2 tsp. dry parsley

1 large onion, chopped

2 cucumbers, cut into bite-size pieces

grape tomatoes (or regular tomatoes cut into small chunks)

*Mix ingredients and toss with dressing.

This recipe makes a HUGE bowl, so cut it in half if it's not for a crowd. It is best after it is refrigerated several hours. You may want to toss it often to keep it mixed well.