summer sun = grilled fish tacos

I am quite possibly the happiest version of me after the sun finally decided to grace us with its presence this weekend. The three of us gals aggressively hopped on the 10:07am Metro North Train on Saturday morning, straight to the Westport stop and booked it to the beach. Casually strewn on our oversized and perfectly sun-bleached tapestry, we could barely contain our glee as the sun baked our solar-deprived bodies. We were so content with our surroundings (and heck, company) until, of course, the topic of food came about. And as the all too familiar storm clouds rolled in late that afternoon, we had decided that grilled fish tacos would be the answer to our hungry stomachs and a decidedly festive way to celebrate the return of real Summer weather.

After a quick run to the market (and a serious one to the liquor store), I arrived back at home with a slew of colorful and vibrant ingredients and some fresh fish to boot. I quickly got started on finely slicing a red cabbage, two mangoes, and half a red onion for a make-shift Summer Slaw dressed with a much lighter vinaigrette than typically found on slaw. Finished off with a few sprigs of fresh cilantro, I impressed myself with this recipe quickly made up on the spot.

Next, I whipped up a chipotle sour cream sauce for the fish tacos: reduced fat sour cream, a tablespoon of mayo, two tablespoons of chipotle in adobo, a grated garlic clove, salt, and a dash of fresh cilantro. A cool and creamy condiment with a kick of smokey goodness.

When guests started to arrive, the salmon went onto the grill along with some ears of corn and few bunches of scallions that were simply dressed in olive oil, salt, and pepper. I put one of my guests to work on the spicy mayo to be lightly brushed onto my version of a Mexican street corn. Mayo, a generous amount of chili powder, lime zest and juice.

When everything came off the grill, it became a DIY fish taco bar, which quite honestly, is a really fun way to serve a meal and come on, makes plating a heck of a lot easier too. Fresh avocado, shredded iceberg lettuce, and cilantro galore finished off the spread. And for a while there, no one was talking. Just shoveling food into their faces and happily sipping on Coronas with lime.

But shortly thereafter, every single calorie consumed was quickly burned off during a two-hour long Michael Jackson tribute/dance party complete with a shrine (courtesy of my mom) which consisted of a white glove, a black and a white votive candle, and a pair of Ray Bans. Yeah. I don't even know. But what I do know? The albums "Off the Wall" and "Bad" are nothing short of epic and will get every single one of your guests off their behinds and on to the..."dance floor."