But this year I have made a few promises to myself. I'll just mention one here. In 2012 I want to live a healthier, happier life. I think the two go hand in hand. By healthier I mean I want to find a way out of sadness and into happiness. I'm not sure exactly how to do this but I do know that happy is better than sad and sad is not healthy. I found this quote (on where else, the internet) and I have taped it to my bathroom mirror so that I can read it everyday:
“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.” -C.S. Lewis
This year I am going to try to let go of the sadness and embrace the wonderful, happy memories of the past and the promise of the future.
How about you? Any New Year's Resolutions?
I was in the mood yesterday to create something. Something healthy. Something delicious. My local fish monger had some beautiful looking cod on display yesterday. He told me it just came in so I had him wrap up a half pound.
I stopped by my local supermarket on the way home to pick up some staples and noticed some perfectly ripe mangoes in the produce aisle. In the cart they went.
Sometimes the universe supplies us with just what we need to create something wonderful... fresh cod, ripe mangoes. This is what I came up with.
Pan Seared Mango-Coconut Cod (serves 2)
1/2 pound fresh cod fillet
1 ripe mango, peeled and sliced
1 tablespoon grated sweetened coconut
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Wash and pat dry the cod. Remove any small bones using a needle nose plier (yes, I keep a clean needle nose plier in my kitchen drawer just for this purpose, deboning fish)
Sprinkle cod with salt and pepper.
Melt butter with oil in a large oven proof skillet.
When butter is melted and sizzling hot add a few slices of the mango and gently saute. Add the cod pieces top side down. Saute on medium high for 2 to 3 minutes or until the fish is halfway cooked.
Flip the fish and spoon the softened mango over the top. Sprinkle with one tablespoon coconut and place in the oven to finish cooking (about 5 minutes).
I served the cod with steamed carrots glazed with honey, the rest of the fresh mango slices and tri-colored couscous. All of which made me very happy.
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| Mangoes are ripe when they yield to gentle pressure. Store them on your counter or windowsill, not the fridge. |
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| Aren't mangoes beautiful? |
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| Pan searing the cod with the mango slices. The mangoes will soften and make their own sauce. |
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| Finishing the cod in the oven will ensure a moist, perfectly cooked fish. |
Bon Appetite and Happy New Year everyone.
Looks yummy. I'll have to try it the next time I can get some nice fish (which means an hour drive to Nashville).
ReplyDeleteI, too, prefer to adjust my goals throughout the year as necessary - but new year is still a good time to pause and take stock. I wish you all the best with your goal!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a realistic resolution to me. I think you have to do it way it is best for you, right? The dish looks delish as usual!
ReplyDeleteYum! I don't have that kind of creativity in the kitchen, but I love to benefit from yours.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so great with the resolutions either...this year I've decided my goal is to follow through on all my plans.
Happy New Year to you! (I don't think I've seen that quote before but really like it.)
That dish looks beautiful and delicious. Mangoes are one of the great secret foods I only discovered in the last 20 years. My grandson has been wolfing them down since he was 2. Life is good. I wish you the best with your resolution; you've done a lot of work in that direction already, it seems.
ReplyDeleteI'm going grocery shopping after work tonight. If the fresh ingredients are available, I might try this for dinner! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYum, Cod, my favorite! Looks scrumptious and I love what you've done with the the mango and the coconut topper is fab! Wishing you much peace, love, and happiness in the New Year!
ReplyDeleteI'm very happy about your New Year's resolutions. We really must catch up. As for this recipe, Hawaii has all of those ingredients and we are on our way to the store now. My mangos are perfect.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great resolution...and this looks yummy! I just happen to have a perfect mango sitting here, now I'm off for some cod. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteSounds like the perfect resolution. I love the quote. I too am trying to live a healthier and happier life - perhaps there is more power in numbers? I wish you all the best in 2012. Take care.
ReplyDeleteI don't do resolutions, but I choose a word for the year. Last year it was Confidence. I needed a truckload of that. This year I've chosen Strength. I need a truckload of that too. I will focus on gaining strength, in body, mind and heart.
ReplyDeleteI like that quote and wish you well. Happiness can be so elusive when all we want to do is curl up in a ball and cry.
For me I feel it's getting out, making friends, taking courses. I've been isolated (except for family) too long. So interacting with people will help me on the road to happiness.
Blessings