Fish & Rolls

I'm what some refer to as a "procrastinator". I enjoy cooking and look forward to it, but sometimes I wait until the last minute to plan for the current day's meal. This is often due to my indecisiveness. This meal is the product of my delayed ability to decide.

Rolls. One of my favorite things on this planet. I adore homemade rolls. However, I do not enjoy spending half the day proofing yeast, kneading, and impatiently waiting for them to rise. My compromise is using store bought frozen dinner rolls, namely Rhodes. If you're used to buying the brown & serve rolls, you're in for a treat. Rhodes rolls are deliciously and wonderfully soft with an ever-so-slight crust. With the variety of rolls I prefer, you must let them thaw and rise. This is not ideal for a procrastinator like myself. These Rhodes White Dinner Rolls come in 12, 36, or 72 per bag. They're frozen in the form of a ball. Grab a handful to thaw and put the rest back in the freezer. No need to make 72 all at once, but you'll want to!

I did plan ahead on this portion of the meal and put six golf ball-sized balls in a greased loaf pan. Cover lightly with a plastic wrap and place on a counter top in a warm location.These require 3-5 long hours of thawing/rising time before baking... *thumb twiddling*

While thumb twiddling, I debated more and more on the main course and sides to go along with these rolls. I, personally, could just eat rolls for dinner, but my husband and kids wouldn't like me very much.

If you've ever been to that famous chain restaurant that allows you to throw peanut shells on the floor, then you've had Cinnamon Honey Butter. It is the epitome of amazing.

Sweetened, creamy butter slowly melting on a fresh, hot roll. Yum. Our family doesn't go out to dinner often because I'm a tight ass frugal, so I try to recreate some of our favorite restaurant items at home. This butter is something I had been craving for quite some time and finally bit the bullet in making it at home. So easy. I don't know why I had waited so long.

I combined 1/2 cup of softened butter in a bowl, added a 1/4 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of powdered sugar, and about 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. I stirred it until it became smooth throughout. It's wonderful. Adjust it for your own tastes, but I found this to be perfect for me. I look forward to eating it with a spoon putting it on waffles and pancakes and everything else under the sun. At this point, I still had no idea for a main course. Rolls with a super addictive butter weren't going to cut it, so the pantry raiding began.

While rummaging through the freezer I discovered a bag of frozen Tilapia. Score! These large frozen bags are packed with individually wrapped fillets of this flavorful fish. Take desired amount out of the freezer, return the rest. Thaw fish carefully, no one enjoys food poisoning. Being the procrastinator I am, I chose the fancy defrost feature my microwave possesses, being careful to not cook the tender fish. Watch closely. Once they're mostly thawed, remove their packaging and put them in a greased baking dish.

I've covered both sides of the fillets in a homemade seasoning mix: lemon peel, garlic salt, black pepper, and parsley along with 1/4 cup of melted butter and the juice of 1/2 a large lemon. Never get enough juice from your lemon? Pop the lemon in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds. Roll the lemon on a counter to loosen it up then slice it in quarters to squeeze. This trick drastically improves the quantity of juice you will receive, not to mention makes your microwave smell clean despite the appearance.

Preheat your oven to 350º and add the baking dish of lemon and butter covered fish.

Multi-task: Once the rolls have doubled in size, pop them into a 350º oven along with the fish and bake for 12-15 minutes. They will have acquired a magical golden brown hue when they're done.

Two common complaints to those to say they do not like fish. 1.) Too much "fishy" taste  2.) Too dry. First of all, I'm a firm believer in my own made up theory: If you don't like something, you haven't had it prepared correctly. Fish is no exception. Tilapia is an extremely versatile, white flesh fish. It does not have an overpowering "fishy" taste/smell like salmon or the like and can be prepared in numerous ways. Try it sometime if you haven't had the opportunity.

The fish will flake easily with a fork when fully cooked. Warning: Do not overcook or it will be dry. Notice the moisture in the fillet. Tender, yet it's fully cooked!

Fish and rolls were served with a "salad" and an easy to prepare prepackaged noodle mix.

The Cinnamon Honey Butter at work.

Frugal Facts:
Rolls- $0.90 (for 6)
Tilapia - $4.76 (for 6 fillets)
Salad - $1.50 (including dressing usage)
Noodles - $1.50 (for 2 pkgs)
Cinnamon Honey Butter - $1.00 (with lots leftover)

Total: $9.66

How do you enjoy fish? And rolls?