Four Recipes: Broiled Tilapia Parmesan, Fajitas, Yummy and Easy Granola, Crock-pot Black Bean Taco Soup

Broiled Tilapia Parmesan
Ingredients
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
2 T Olive Oil
1-2 tablespoons light mayonnaise
1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/8 teaspoon dried basil
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon celery salt
4 tilapia fillets

Directions
Preheat your oven's broiler. Grease a broiling pan or line pan with aluminum foil.
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.

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 overcook the fish.

I served this with rice pilaf and a fresh green salad. So yummy! - Brighten

Steak (Or Chicken) Fajitas
Ingredients
3/4 lb top sirloin steaks
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 flour tortillas ( 8 inch/20 cm)
1 -2 onions depending on size ( however much you like, enough to make a good mix with the peppers)
2 small sweet peppers ( green, red, or yellow)

Directions
Slice steak/chicken into thin strips.
In bowl, mix together 1 tablespoons olive oil, lime juice, garlic, chili powder, cumin, hot pepper flakes, black pepper & salt.
Add beef strips and stir to coat, set aside.
Wrap tortillas in foil and place in 350° oven for 5-10 minutes or until heated through.
Cut onions in half lengthwise and slice into strips, cut your peppers into strips.
In large non stick skillet over medium high heat, heat remaining tablespoons of olive oil.
Add onions & peppers stirring for 3-4 minutes, until softened; transfer to a bowl and set aside.
Add beef to skillet, cook, stirring for 3-4 minutes or until they lose their red color.
Return onions and peppers to skillet; stir for about one minute.
To serve, spoon a portion of the beef mixture down the centre of each tortilla, top with your desired toppings , fold bottom of tortilla up over filling, fold the sides in, overlapping.

Top with salsa, sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped tomatoes, guacamole, etc. We even ate this on a bed of lettuce the next day. Enjoy! - Brighten

Yummy & Easy Granola
3 cups Minute Oatmeal
1 cup slivered almonds
1 cup cashews
¾ cup shredded sweet coconut
¼ cup plus 2 TB brown sugar (Or less if you want it healthier.)
¼ cup plus 2 TB maple syrup (I use honey)
¼ cup vegetable oil (Or less)
¾ tsp salt
1 cup Raisins (I add craisins too)

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the oats, nuts, coconut, and brown sugar.
In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, oil, and salt. Combine both mixtures and pour onto 2 sheet pans. Cook for 1 hour and 15 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.
Remove from oven and transfer into a large bowl. Add raisins and mix until evenly distributed.

*This recipe is very versatile. I prefer pecans over cashews. I also add the berries 15-20 minutes before it’s finished because I like how they plump up. This is awesome with milk especially right out of the oven and ice cream. Yogurt is great too. It’s crumbly so it’s not so great as a snack by itself. Enjoy! - Brighten

Crock-pot Black Bean Taco Soup
1 lb ground beef; browned and drained (Shredded Chicken is also a favorite!)
1 can small red beans; not drained
1 can black beans; not drained
1 can white corn; not drained
1 small onion diced (I use minced dried onions)
1 pkg Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
1 pkg Taco Seasoning
28 oz can crushed tomatoes, not drained

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in crock pot and cook on low 4-6 hours. Can top with grated mozzarella cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese, tortilla chips.

I serve with rolls and salad. Sometimes I put it on top of lettuce for a taco salad. It’s an easy go-to meal and one of our family favorites. Hope you enjoy! – Brighten