If you don’t know what to make for dinner, but are craving something light, try this calamari! It’s oven fried, which cuts down on a lot of fat and calories, and it tastes just like the real thing. Serve it up with some oven fried French fries and dip. We would recommend using your favorite pasta sauce as dipping, or you can try Tzatziki sauce. Anything goes! A simple side salad would go great as well. Olive oil and balsamic vinegar is all you need for the dressing!

Crispy Oven-Fried Calamari

Delicious oven-fried calamari that are better than their fried counterpart! Also with less fat and calories!

Ingredients

• cooking spray
• 1 pound calamari, tubes and tentacles
• 1 1/2 cups bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup white tortilla chip pieces (2 inch pieces)
• 1 tbsp powdered ranch dressing mix
• 1 1/4 cups low-fat buttermilk
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp flour
• 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.
2. Coat 2 large baking sheets with cooking spray.
3. Pat calamari dry with a paper towel.
4. Cut tubes into 1/2″ thick rings. Don’t cut the tentacles. Set aside.
5. Combine breadcrumbs, tortilla chips and seasoning in a food processor and process until finely ground. Transfer mixture to a bowl.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, 2 tbsp of the flour and black pepper. Place remaining 1/2 cup of flour in a large freezer bag.
7. Add calamari rings and tentacles to the bag with the flour and shake to coat.
8. Dip the flour-coated calamari into buttermilk mixture and then into breadcrumb mixture.
9. Arrange calamari in a single layer, on prepared baking sheets. Spray with cooking spray.
10. Bake 15-20 minutes, until coating is crisp and golden brown.

Photos: Dishbase, Robin Miller Cooks.

This tiered hanging planter can be made in a day, and with basic woodworking tools. What’s great about this planter is when you water the top plant, the runoff from the previous pot drips into the plants below. All you need to do is place a little dish or bucket underneath to catch any excess water, and it makes watering all 4 plants a breeze!

What you will need:

– scrap wood

– jigsaw

– terracotta pots

– rope

– 3/8″ boring bit

– paintbrush and paint

– drill

– plants

– metal ring

Step 1:

Measure the plank of wood and mark it to create a square with 3/4″ to 1″ of space around your pot.

Step 2:

Trace the lip of the pot onto the wood. Trace a circle within the circumference of the one you drew but spaced 1/4″ from the outer circle. You can also use a circular template that’s 1/4″ inches smaller that the radius of the pot to do the same thing. You’ll end up with 2 concentric circles. One has a radius of 1/4″ smaller than the first. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 3:

Clamp the first piece of wood to a stable surface. Drill a hole into the center of the circles with the 3/8″ boring bit. This will provide space for the jigsaw blade to enter the wood so you can begin cutting. Work slowly and in sections. Use the jigsaw to cut out the shape of the inner circle. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 4:

When you’ve cut out the inner circles, clamp a single square down to a piece of scrap wood. Using a ruler, make a dot in the 4 corners of the squares, 1/2″ in from each side. Use the 3/8″ boring bit to drill holes through the wood at the 4 corner marks. Repeat with all 4 squares.

Step 5:

If you like, you can paint the sides of your squares. You can also paint your rope if you want a different color. Only paint the 2 cut edges on each square, and position the squares on the ropes so that the unpainted and painted edges alternate when it’s hanging.

Step 6:

It’s now time to hang your squares! Space your plants 12″ apart (choose more or less depending on the size of your plants). Cut 4 lengths of rope and tie them together in a knot 6″ from the top. Use the 6″ rope strands to secure the ropes to the metal ring.

Step 7:

Hang the ring and slide the first wood square onto all 4 strands, about 12″ from the top knot. Tie a knot directly underneath the wood square on all 4 ropes. Place the plant into the opening, making sure it’s level.

Step 8:

Repeat step 7 with the remaining 3 squares. After the last square is on and the knots are tied underneath, cut off any extra rope.

Finished! Find a sunny spot for your new planter and fill the squares with your plants.

Photos and idea: Design Sponge.

You’ve probably seen all the awesome pallet ideas floating around on the internet lately. Everyone’s in a pallet craze, making anything from benches to playhouses for their kids! The possibilities are endless! Here is a simple DIY for making a cool swing for your yard!

What you will need:

• 1 pallet
• saw
• rope
• wood stain of your choice
• sandpaper
• cushions and pillows (optional)

Step 1:

Cut the pallet in half with a saw.

Step 2:

Add two leftover boards to the side of the pallet if you would like drink holders.

Step 3:

Lightly sand the pallet to get rid of any splinters and rough edges.

Step 4:

Attach the swing using a strong nylon rope. You can put the swing under a tree, or on your front porch! Add a cushion and a few decorative pillows if you like.

 Photos and idea: Sheryl Salisbury Photography.