Pecan Crusted Grouper with Green Beans and Bacon

This recipe is inspired by the Social dimension of wellness.

Social wellness is about relating . It's about attracting and maintaining long-lasting relationships. Further, it involves building healthy, nurturing, and supportive relationships as well as fostering a genuine connection with those around you by taking the time to listen and learn from others.

“Only dead fish go with the flow.” - unknown

I learned early on in life the importance of sticking up for myself but had never put much thought into the term, boundaries. I am someone who can easily go with the flow in regards to almost everything, but I am not one to be taken advantage of. So, I essentially have been practicing boundaries all my life.

I am writing this post about the importance of having boundaries and how practicing personal boundaries with others is good for our mental health. You see, there is a difference between going with the flow, being a push over, and having boundaries. For most people, the interpretation of setting boundaries equates to becomming a mean, bossy individual, but that is not true at all! Instead, boundaries set the basic guideline for how you expect to be treated by others. Additionally, boundaries and compromise are very important factors to any good relationship because it’s important to learn when to let things go (flow), or when to put your foot down and stand your ground (boundaries).

“You have to learn to say no without feeling guilty. Setting boundaries is healthy. You need to learn to respect and take care of yourself.”

As I gracefully aged (haha) into my 50’s, I’ve faced some relationships that have tested my boundaries, and what I have come to realize is that healthy relationships are not one-sided. Both people benefit from knowing each other. In unhealthy relationships, one always seems to give more than the other. Ask yourself this question: Do you have people in your life who leave you feeling happy and uplifted?

Now, I am not saying that we shouldn’t be there for our friends from time to time in need. But, we need to be careful of what I call the blood suckers. These are the friends that are always hurting, complaining, critical, and just downright miserable.

“It is necessary, and even vital, to set boundaries for your life and the people you allow in it.” - Mandy Hale

Healthy relationships are built on mutual respect. In unhealthy relationships, people ridicule one another, gossip, or act mean to one another. Healthy relationships allow each other to grow and change as well as not see the growth as a threat. So, I ask you to look at your relationships. Make a list next of their names, and place “healthy” or “unhealthy” next to each of them. Take the time to decide whether these relationships are worth saving.

Also, take a look at yourself. Are you a healthy or unhealthy person? This exercise allows you to really look at your relationships with others, and also allows you to look at the most important relationship of all - the one you have with yourself! So, I leave you with this:

Recipe of the Day: Pecan Crusted Grouper with Green Beans and Bacon

INGREDIENTS

For the Pecan Crusted Grouper:

• 1/2 cup pecan pieces

• 1/2 cup dry bread crumbs

• 1/3 cup flour

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1 pound grouper fillet, cut diagonally into 4 ounce pieces

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 3/4 cup butter or margarine

• 1 lemon, juiced

• 1 bunch fresh Italian parsley, chopped

For the Green Beans and Bacon:

• 2 1/2 pounds green beans, trimmed

• Kosher salt

• 1/2 pound bacon, roughly chopped

• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes

• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans

• Juice of 1/2 lemon

• Freshly ground pepper

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Pecan Crusted Grouper:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Combine the pecans and bread crumbs in a food processor. Process until they are coarse crumbs then transfer to a shallow dish.

3. Place the flour in a shallow dish. Place the beaten egg in another shallow dish.

4. Season the grouper with salt and pepper. Dredge each piece first in the flour, then in the egg, letting any excess drip off. Press each side of the fish into the pecan crumbs to coat.

5. Melt 1/4 cup of the butter in an oven-proof skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the fish for one minute on each side. Place the skillet in the oven and bake for 10 minutes or until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Transfer the fish to a serving platter and keep warm.

6. Wipe out the skillet and add the remaining butter to it. Cook over high heat until the butter starts to brown, stirring constantly. Stir in the lemon juice and parsley. Pour the browned butter sauce over the fish and serve immediately.

For the Green Beans and Bacon:

1. Toss the green beans into a large pot of boiling salted water and cook until bright green in color and crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Drain the beans and shock in a large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain the beans again and pat dry.

2. Cook the bacon in a large, heavy saute pan until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Spoon off the excess bacon grease, leaving 2 tablespoons in the pan.

3. Add the onion to the pan and saute until soft and very tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Sprinkle in the garlic and red pepper flakes and saute until just fragrant, about 1 more minute.

4. Add the reserved green beans and the pecans and cook until heated through, 5 to 6 minutes more. Return the bacon to the pan, pour in the lemon juice and toss. Season with salt and pepper.