"Paved Paradise And Put Up A Parking Lot"

Before anything else is said, I got that phrase from a Counting Crows song. I've always liked that group. Some of you may not and that is ok too. The reason for that phrase is very simple...at least to me.

Over the last week, I've been lucky to be in NC visiting family and friends. From Asheville (surprised I know, esp with all the trips I've made here thus far), Raleigh, Cary and Apex. Many of you know that I grew up in Cary and if you didn't, you do now.

Bet you're asking what is his point?

I was in Cary for Mother's Day and with family and friends and we drove around Cary. Showing a great friend of mine the house that I grew up in...ok really just to relive my childhood. But I know she liked seeing the area. Anyway, we drove past the house on Medlin Dr. and it was tranquil to see it again. Actually started getting tears in my eyes...good thing I had on sunglasses.

There was a dead end street there that used to be woods. As kids, we played in those woods so much. Daily actually. Just ask my mom. We had dirt bike trails, forts, tree houses, played all kinds of boy games. It was awesome. This past week, I noticed it was no longer woods...it had become a parking lot. Makes me sad a little just typing that part. But then again, did those woods serve their purpose? Once we were grown up and moved on, maybe they weren't needed anymore. I like to believe they were there for me....so I could be a kid there. My point is as the title goes...it was my paradise as a kid.

Ever had one of those? I hope so. Is it still there? Mine is, in my heart. It was my childhood. Go back and visit your paradise whether physically or by your childhood memories. Share one with me, I bet your paradise was just as fun as mine.

Now I Have Leftovers....

So if you made the fish tacos like I did, you may have had leftover fish. If you didn't have any, awesome. Tell me if it was good. Knowing you, it was.

I had leftover fish and was trying to figure out what to do with the leftovers(by the way, I used tilapia).
I saw a commercial of crab cakes and starting thinking...I should do that with the leftover fish (Oh, using the word leftover doesn't make it bad). Besides, you just had it last night.

So that is what I did. I made tilapia cakes. I made what is known as a Green goddess sauce. Basically, non-flavored yogurt, capers, lemon juice(fresh) oh, zest it before cutting it, salt and pepper. Mix that and let it sit in the frig for about 2 hours. What? Two hours! Are you kidding me? I know most may not be able to do that, but if you can, do it.

Then I shredded the fish in a mixing bowl. Added two eggs, half a cup of bread crumbs, zest from a lemon(told you the zest would come into play), one diced red pepper, quarter cup mayo, half a diced red onion and salt and pepper to taste. Mix that together and formed into hamburger patties and put in frig for two hours...again with the two hours thing...some cooking takes time.

This is where it may sound crazy. I dredged them in flour and fried them in vegetable oil until golden brown on both sides. Not so healthy friendly, sorry. Reward yourself from time to time. Once finished, I plated them and spooned that sauce we made earlier on them. Wow! For fried food, it tasted pretty good.

Keep sending me your ideas. I love hearing them and trying them. Just remember something, we're on this journey of Laughter Life and Food together.

Like S'mores? Try This Recipe.

Well do you? I bet most of us remember making these at camp, sitting around they campfire. Who could forget the first time you got that marshmallow too close to the fire. I found this recipe and wanted to share it. If you like bananas, s'mores and cooking on the grill, I recommend you try this one. Let me know how it goes or if you have another recipe you want to share. Best of luck!

Grilled Banana S’mores

• Crust
• 1cup graham cracker crumbs
• 4tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1egg yolk
• S’mores 
• 1tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
• 1teaspoon brown sugar
• 2medium bananas, firm but ripe
• 4cups mini marshmallows
• 1/2cup semisweet chocolate chips

1.      Prepare the grill for indirect and direct cooking over medium heat (about 400°F).

2.      In a large bowl combine the crust ingredients and mix well. Firmly and evenly press the mixture into the bottom of an 8-by-8-inch baking pan. Grill the crust over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed as much as possible, until firm, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the crust from the grill and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes. This will allow the crust to set.

3.      In a small bowl combine the butter and brown sugar. Cut each banana in half lengthwise and leave the skins attached (they will help the bananas hold their shape on the grill). Liberally brush the cut side of the bananas with the butter mixture.

4.      Grill the bananas, cut side down, over direct medium heat, with the lid open, until they start to soften, 2 to 4 minutes, without turning. Let cool briefly and then score the bananas into 1/2-inch slices, cutting through just to the peel.

5.      Fill the baking pan with 2 cups of the marshmallows, making sure they cover the bottom of the crust evenly. Next, scoop out and distribute the slices of grilled banana, followed by the remaining 2 cups of marshmallows.

6.      Grill the pie over indirect medium heat, with the lid closed, keeping the temperature of the grill as close to 400°F as possible, until the marshmallows have puffed up and started to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. At this point carefully sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top and continue cooking until the chips appear glossy and melted, about 2 minutes. Remove the pie from the grill and let cool for about 5 minutes. Spoon into small serving bowls and serve warm.