A Working Mom's Meal Plan

The hardest part of my day is when we get home and everyone is immediately hungry. I love to cook and prefer
home-cooked meals, but I don't like to cook much during the work week. And yet, dinner has to get on the table...
My solution: make-ahead meals, freeze-ahead meals and recipes so easy that I'll make them on a Monday. I cook
mostly on the weekends, always doubling recipes, and rely heavily on my extra freezer and a decently-stocked pantry.
This cooking style saves me time and money, and it makes my life simpler—so I can actually enjoy sitting down
to supper at 6 with my family. I hope these recipes will make the witching hour a little better at your house too.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Fast Fish Sticks

Do you ever wonder what's really in those frozen fish sticks? You won't have to when you make them yourself—and these taste better, too. (from Real Simple)

1 lb skinless tilapia fillets or other mild white fish
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
ketchup or tartar sauce for serving

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut the fish into strips. Combine the breadcrumbs, olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.

Gently coat the strips of fish in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing down if needed to make it stick. (Toss together a little more breadcrumbs/oil/paprika if needed—the fish should have a nice, thick coating.) Place fish sticks on a large baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes or until crispy and cooked through. I like to serve lots of buttered broccoli on the side.

*Make a double batch and freeze some for another time. Place the baking sheet with the coated strips into the freezer until the fish is frozen, then transfer sticks to a large ziploc. When ready, bake from frozen for 15-18 minutes.

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