Stacey's Favorite Books

Friday, March 9, 2012

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Since it's Friday, and it's Lent, I thought I'd include a fish recipe. I, myself, am not much of a fish person, but this recipe got 4 1/2 stars so I figured it must be worth trying....

See what you think!


Broiled Tilapia Parmesan
recipe image
Rated:rating
Submitted By: Phoebe
Photo By: chibi chef
Prep Time: 5 Minutes
Cook Time: 10 Minutes
Ready In: 15 Minutes
Servings: 8

"Flavorful recipe for this farm raised fish that is easy and done in minutes! The fish is broiled with a creamy cheese coating for an impressive flavor and texture."
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
2 pounds tilapia fillets
DIRECTIONS:
1.Preheat your oven's broiler. Grease a broiling pan or line pan with aluminum foil.
2.In a small bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese, butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice. Season with dried basil, pepper, onion powder and celery salt. Mix well and set aside.
3.Arrange fillets in a single layer on the prepared pan. Broil a few inches from the heat for 2 to 3 minutes. Flip the fillets over and broil for a couple more minutes. Remove the fillets from the oven and cover them with the Parmesan cheese mixture on the top side. Broil for 2 more minutes or until the topping is browned and fish flakes easily with a fork. Be careful not to over cook the fish.

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...

Don't these look fun?? Your kids might even eat deviled eggs...
Deviled Eggs for Easter ~ love the pastel eggs...looks super easy to make!

Check out this blog for the recipe and be inspired!
http://www.foodjimoto.com/2011/04/easter-eggs.html

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

What's in Your Library Bag Wednesday...

     Wowie Wednesday!! Can you believe it was 60 degrees already by 9 this morning!! In March!! Makes me think we are going to pay for it some time, but for now, let's take it! So, it's Wednesday, and I am wondering What's in Your Library Bag today?
     I actually have 3 different books today. When it rains it pours. I wait and wait for my holds to come in and then everything comes at one time and then which do you read first? Problems, problems, I know. Anyway, did I mention that I was reading another dystopian type young adult novel called Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien? In this dystopia, there is a walled in city called the Enclave that controls all and there is a community outside of the wall, but still under control. Inside the wall you are well to do and have every opportunity; outside the wall, things are rationed according to the Enclave and the first three babies born each month must be turned over to the Enclave within 90 minutes of being born for the "good of all." The main character, Gaia, is a midwife outside of the Enclave who is faced with turning babies over and then her parents being arrested. Gaia grows throughout the novel in character and strength. She learns a lot about herself and what she believes. The ending leads you into the bridge novel Tortured which can be found on Amazon, which leads you into the 2nd in the trilogy, Prized.
     Why is it that all of these teenage novels make these young people face harder life choices than any adult novel ever asks of an adult. I don't get it. And, they do an amazing job, better than the adults fare in their novels...
      Back to the 2nd in the trilogy, Prized. I have just barely started this one, but the cover tidbit is so intriguing...It takes Gaia from one dystopia into another one, only different. I can't wait to see the challenges that await her in this one.
     If the idea of a dystopia interests you, stop in. There is a definite trend in this type of novel for young adults right now. I'm sure we can find one that you'll enjoy!! If it doesn't interest you, stop in anyway. We'll find you something else you'll love!
     W

Monday, March 5, 2012

Book Trailer Monday...

In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday and reading to children and the new movie The Lorax...

Sunday, March 4, 2012

From Our Recipe Box to Yours...Sunday Special

Green Velvet Cake (recipe by Bakerella)
  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon cocoa
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup oil
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 Tablespoon vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 oz green food coloring
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
Grease your cake pans, muffin tins, whoopie pie pans, whatever method you decide to go with.  Or be crazy like me and do them all.
Lightly stir eggs in a medium bowl with whisk.  Add in remaining liquid ingredients.   Whisk until blended and sit aside.   I waited until the very end to add the food coloring, because frankly, that much food coloring scares me and I had to work out the courage to do it.
Place all dry ingredients in your mixing bowl and stir together well.
Now take a deep breath and dump all that food coloring, yes the entire bottle, into the wet ingredients.
Not too bad.  But now stir…
Pour your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients and mix on medium-high for about a minute or two until well combined and green as the day is long.    Note, this is NOT the time to accidentally crank the Kitcheaid on to high.   Unless you want a green, and slightly vinegar smelling kitchen.
Pour the batter into cake pans or cupcake pans.   I did the cake and cupcakes first, and than added 1/4 cup of flour to the remaining batter to thicken it up a bit before putting it in the whoopie pie pan.
Baking times will vary based on what you are using.  For one 8″ cake pan, it was about 22 minutes for me.
Regular size cupcakes were around 16, mini cupcakes about 13 and the whoopie pie pan was about 13 as well.
Let cook for 10-15 minutes and than remove from pans.
While cooling, prepare frosting.   You can either open a can of your favorite, or go the from scratch route.   Here’s the recipe I used…
Cream Cheese Frosting
  • 1 oz package of softened cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup softened butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 bag powdered sugar (2 lb bag)
  • Milk as needed
Cream together cream cheese, butter and vanilla in a bowl until smooth.   Gradually add in powdered sugar and continue mixing.   I add in milk as needed to get to the desired consistency.
You can frost straight from the bowl, though I use my handy Ziploc bag to pipe on my frosting.
Now frost and decorate until your little heart is content.   I used about half of my frosting for the green velvet cupcakes and green velvet whoopie pies, and put the remainder in the fridge to be used to make green velvet cake pops.    Here are some of the super sweet cupcakes…
www.bakerella.com


I just was thinking about St. Patrick's Day and the fact that we are offering a 4th class on making Cake Balls here at the library!! Call for details and to register 319-352-1223!!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Thoughts for a Thursday...

Here's a word I am sure that you all know the meaning of, but I bet you didn't know where it came from! So  in honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday tomorrow, today's word is....

nerd
1951, U.S. student slang, probably an alteration of 1940s slang nert "stupid or crazy person," itself an alteration of nut. The word turns up in a Dr. Seuss book from 1950 ("If I Ran the Zoo"), which may have contributed to its rise. Adjective nerdy is from 1978.