Trader Joes Delight!

This meal is so inexpensive but SO good. I could call it the Mother-In-Law meal because it looks and tastes so fancy when really it is under $40 for 4 people. (Really you can buy these ingredients anywhere but Trader Joes has it all at the right price!)

Grocery list for 4 people:
4 Sea Bass Filets
1 can of crushed tomatoes
2 cans of chicken broth (3.5 cups needed)
1 bag of Israeli Cous Cous Mix
1/2 lb of brussel sprouts (if you hate brussel sprouts substitue asparagus - although the way I make them will make you fall in love with sprouts)

Items at home:
Olive oil
1 tsp garlic salt
2 tbsp butter
1/2 cup of dry white wine (really any white wine you have will do!)

Heat oven to 400

S & P each side of the filet
Garlic salt the top
Place each filet on an individual piece of foil
Make a small boat out of the foil just barely covering the top
Place in a baking pan

Over the top of each filet pour:
1 tbsp of olive oil
a heaping spoonful of crushed tomatoes
a shake of white wine
half tblsp of butter
*Bake for 15 mintues

Israeli Cous Cous Mix:
Cook the whole bag according to the recipe on back using chicken broth
If using non-trader joes: 2 cups of Israeli Cous Cous with 3.5 cups of liquid

Brussel Sprouts:
Cut the brussel sprouts in half
Steam for 10 minutes
Place in a small baking pan
Spread all over with S & P and olive oil
Cook in oven for last 5 minutes on top rack with fish - they should brown up on the ends

*My suggestion is to prep the brussel sprouts and get them steaming and then put the fish in the oven. This should leave just enough time to brown the sprouts and cook the cous cous mix, having everything ready to serve once the fish comes out of the oven.

When the fish is plated pour the sauce from the foil on top of the fish - and thus Trader Joes Delight!

Lee Ann's Summer Fun Salad

Not too long ago Conor and I went over to our friends, Lee Ann and Brian's house. They BBQ'd chicken and burgers, roasted vegetables and made the most amazing romaine salad. Romaine doesn't usually appeal to me because it doesn't have a lot of hardiness... and without fail it reminds me of cesare salad. This salad, however, had a surprising twist - Dill - and it went so well with it's grilled accompaniments.

Ingredients (serves 4):
3 - 4 romaine hearts
1/2 cup of raw pine nuts (browned)
1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
2 tbsp of dill chopped

Dressing:
1/4 cup olive oil
1 lemon squeezed juice
Lots of S&P to taste