Blake had his best friend, Yas, and his dad come over for lunch today. We made fish tacos. We had some Tilapia in the freezer and our garden provided most of what else we needed. Yesterday at Super H mart, the whole wheat tortillas were not on sale, but I knew they were at Publix. I really hate going to a store for one item, so I asked if they would give me the $0.50 off so I didn’t have to go to Publix, and sure enough they did. I buy all of my seasonings at BIG LOTS for $1.00 each. They are just as good as the name brands. For this recipe, you can buy the premixed blackening seasoning to simplify it, but I like making my own. Whoot!

Blackened Fish Tacos and Black Beans

Serves 4

Total price for 4- $8.02

Total price per person $2.00

Total price without sales- $16.49

Total savings- $8.47

3 filets of tilapia (Super H $2.99/lb from Publix $6.99/lb- recipe used about 1.5lbs $4.49)

3 tbsp of blackening seasoning (mixture of cumin, paprika, salt, pepper, sugar, oregano, thyme, onion powder, garlic powder, and nutmeg) This recipe uses about $0.50 worth of seasonings

2 tomatoes (Garden- FREE)

½ onion (red or sweet) (Super H $0.69/lb from Kroger $1.99/lb- used 1/5 of  pound $0.14

3 tbsp of fresh cilantro (Garden- FREE)

juice of one lime (Super H 7/$1.00 from Publix 3/$1.00 total $0.14)

2/3 cup of sour cream (Super H $0.99 from Publix $1.99. Used $0.50 off coupon)

1 fresh jalapeno- seeded (Garden FREE)

1 can of black beans (Buy one Get one Free at Publix last week. $0.49 each from $0.99)

6 flour tortillas (Super H- $1.99 to match Publix. Was $2.99)

¼ head chopped green cabbage (Super H $0.49/lb from publix $1.29 per lb- used 1/5 of head $0.07 total)

Before starting the fish tacos, you need to make the pico de gallo and the cream sauce. Cut 2 tomatoes into 1 inch chunks and remove seeds. Dice half of onion and add to tomatoes. Add 2 tbsp of fresh cilantro coarsely chopped. Dice ½ seeded jalapeno and combine. Add juice of ½ lime and 1 tps of salt and pepper. Mix. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, strain and serve to top tacos.

To make the cream sauce, add juice of ½ lime, 2/3 cups of sour cream, 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro and ½ diced jalapeno- seeded. Mix and refrigerate and serve on top of tacos.

Heat black beans in pot for 10 minutes on medium high.

Combine all seasonings together to create blackening. Cut each tilapia filet in half and pat dry with paper towel. Bring to room temperature. Put 2 tsp of butter  and 1 tsp of oil in a large pan and bring up to very high heat. Roll tilapia in seasoning and when the pan is hot, place filets in pan. Cook on high heat until cooked through and crispy (about 3 mins per side depending on thickness of filet.

Wrap tortillas in foil and put in the oven on 300 degrees for 5 minutes to heat before serving.

Serve like a salad bar and allow guest to top with what they choose. For me, sauce, fish, pico, more sauce, cabbage- black beans on the side. YUMMY!