It's Time to Organize

Every year I make an effort to tackle the tasks that I have been putting off for the past couple of months at the end of the past year. Most of that involves organizing the little spots that have seen the most action...kitchen drawers, the pantry, the closet. I am always on the lookout for some new ideas that I can implement without having to spend a lot of money.

Take a look at today's post on Robin Sue's Big Red Kitchen http://www.bigredkitchen.com/.

There are some neat ideas for not just organizing, but packing lunches to make them appetizing and healthy and good. It is just another idea for starting the year off on the right foot.

And speaking of healthy, we are back to waist watching after ingesting dozens of Christmas cookies. Tonight I am going to make the spinach salad we had at my daughter's home. We will pair this with some pollock filets that I found today at our local market for $2.99 a pound. I use a recipe that came off Cooks.com...easy and very good. Give them a try!

POLLOCK FILLETS ALMONDINE

2 lb. pollock or other fish fillets

1/4 c. all purpose flour

1 tsp. seasoned salt1 tsp. paprika

1/4 c. butter

1/2 c. sliced almonds

2 tbsp. lemon juice5 drops hot pepper sauce

1 tbsp. chopped parsley

Cut fish into 6 portions. Combine flour, salt, and paprika. Roll fish in mixture and place in single layer, skin side down, in well greased baking pan. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of melted butter over the fish. Broil 10-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily.
Meanwhile, saute almonds in remaining butter until golden brown. Remove from heat. Add lemon juice, hot pepper sauce and parsley. Pour over fish and serve at once. Serves 6.

Spinach Salad with Clementines
6 cups baby spinach leaves

12 clementines, sectioned

1/2 cup walnut or pecan pieces

1 bunch green onions, sliced crosswise (optional)

1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts (optional)
For the dressing:3 tablespoons olive oil

Juice of two limes or lemons (about 1/4 cup)

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
Place the salad ingredients in a bowl. Stir the dressing ingredients together and toss with the salad. For a nice touch add in some pomegranate seeds or dried cranberries.