Sole Meuniere

Mahi mahi was on sale and there was no sole to be bought anywhere on the island. I vowed to make this dish when I read about Julia Child savoring this meal with her husband Paul at Restaurant La Couronne in Rouen, France. I swear I could taste the fish the way Julia described it.
I've disappointed Julia. There is no way mine looked like Ina's recipe from her gorgeous cookbook Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics-golden brown, flakey fillet. Ina even mentioned the slightly burnt butter flavor you're supposed to get. Instead of slightly burnt, I achieved burnt. Oh well...the lemon zest and juice and fresh parsley saved the day. The fish was edible but far from the way Julia described her first lunch in France as "absolute perfection" and the most exciting meal of her life.

Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookie

This is the first time I've made an oatmeal cookie flavored with maple syrup and it will not be the last. They were delicious! Martha's recipe calls for 1 C of coconut flakes but I opted for semisweet chocolate chips and there were no complaints.

Fish Tacos with Black Beans and Cilantro-Lime Rice

It was a Mexican fiesta night! Pieces of mahi were sprinkled with chili powder, salt and pepper, rolled in flour and fried. Black beans and diced tomatoes were mixed with with sauteed onions and diced bell pepper, then simmered for 30 minutes. You all know, one of my favorite foods is rice and I wanted a light rice dish to accompany this meal. Katie Lee's Cilantro-Lime Rice recipe was easy and refreshing and brightened up the flavors of this meal. Unfortunately, I had to make do with with only 1/4 C of chopped cilantro instead of 3/4 C that the recipe calls for.
The family enjoyed the fish tacos for the taste and nutrition. I was unimpressed, maybe because I've eaten very good Mexican food and I always compare what I cook with what I can buy. I've realized how much I like to eat out because of the work it requires to prepare a meal. After I'm done cooking, I'm too exhausted to eat but if someone else is cooking, I'm all there!

Army Chicken

Scott asked, "What's for dinner?" and I nonchalantly reply, "Army Chicken" knowing full well that this is a serious undertaking. This is one of my favorite dishes my dad prepares that I finally had the courage to prepare. Outcome? Delicious and so good that Scott will take some for leftovers and he never takes leftovers for lunch.
Season chicken pieces with salt, pepper, fresh lemon juice and minced garlic. Dredge pieces with flour and place into pan of melted butter and bake at 375 for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
I don't know why it took me so long to try this recipe. Maybe I just prefer to always eat my dad's cooking.

Plumeria Thai Cafe

Tucked away on Mango Street in Wahiawa is a low key Thai restaurant featuring local dishes and foods of mostly northern Thailand. Kalihi native Rodney and his wife opened this cafe serving good food, large portions, and low prices. I personally like the garlic ahi plate lunch served with brown rice with a side order of spring rolls while Maha enjoys the vegetarian curry dish.

Pot Roast

One of Scott's comfort foods. I didn't grow up with pot roast. The only comforting thing about this dish was being able to eat the potatoes and carrot after waiting for 4 hours. Was it worth the wait? Scott and Anna thought so, I would have preferred a steak (faster and easier to cook) and I'm not even a steak fan. Another cup of beef broth for more gravy would have been nice.

Mexico

A restaurant name far from fancy, just like the food-delicious, simple, homestyle Mexican food. I ate every bit of my Mexico burrito and Laureen claimed it was the best crab burrito she's ever had. (This left me to wonder just exactly how many crab burritos has she eaten.)
Was the food worth the parking nightmare? NO! I'd rather find a place with ample parking and better salsa; theirs tasted more like ketchup.
If you're ever in the neighborhood (Kalihi), arrived by foot or lucky enough to find a parking space and do not judge a Mexican restaurant by its salsa, then be my guest!