Tangy Shrimp on the Barbie

This recipe I got from a good friend and neighbor, Chez Harris.  I believe he got this recipe from allrecipes.com. Total guess from the picture of the recipe that he sent me. I love this shrimp, especially skewered and cooked on the grill. Some times we make some tostones (fried plantain bananas) and some garlic cilantro pesto to go with it.  It's the perfect appetizer! It also pairs perfectly with a nice, juicy steak or on top of some Fettuccine Alfredo.  I changed a few things like smoked paprika instead of regular paprika and some cayenne pepper for some spice (can be omitted if you don't like spicy).


INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons ground smoked paprika
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 teaspoons dried basil leaves
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper or ground red pepper
2 tablespoons brown sugar, packed
2 lbs raw tiger shrimp, deveined and peeled, keep tale on


DIRECTIONS

1.  Put all ingredients, except shrimp, into a mixing bowl.  Mix well.
2.  Add shrimp and toss.
3.  Preheat grill and then turn on low.
4.  Brush a little bit of olive oil onto the grill to keep the shrimp from sticking.
5.  Skewer shrimp.  Usually about 5-6 per skewer works best.
6.  Grill shrimp on each side for about 3-5 minutes or until shrimp are pink.
7.  ENJOY!!!!!

Sangria

This recipe I compiled together from 3 different sangria recipes.  While most of them were the same, I also got some ideas from the comments that were left for the recipe.  It is really good, has lots and lots of alcohol in it, and disappears very fast! Remember don't drink and drive.  And to drink responsibly!!!!


INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup brandy
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
1/3 cup orange juice
1 bottle of sangria wine (750 milliliter)
1/2 cup triple sec
1/4 cup white sugar
2 cups ginger ale
1 lemon, sliced into rounds
1 orange, sliced into rounds
1 lime, sliced into rounds

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large pitcher, mix together the first 8 ingredients. 
2.  Put in your lemon, orange, and lime slices.
3.  Refrigerate overnight for best flavor. If doing this, do not put Ginger Ale in until serving.
4.  Mix well again before serving.

Oriental Chicken

This one I found on the back of a Campbell's Chicken Gravy can.  This recipe I use when I'm looking for something easy to make.  It has great flavor.  And a frozen bag of stir fry vegetable is great if you don't have any fresh veggies available.


INGREDIENTS

1 tbsp. vegetable oil
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed
2 cups broccoli flowerets
1 cup red or green pepper strips, 2" long
1 can (10-1/2 oz.) Campbell's Chicken Gravy
1 tbsp. soy sauce
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
4 cups hot cooked rice

DIRECTIONS

1.  Heat oil in skillet.  Add chicken and stir-fry until browned. Remove chicken.
2.  Add broccoli & pepper and cool until tender-crisp.  Return chicken to skillet.
3.  Add gravy, soy sauce, and ginger. Heat through.  Serve over rice. Serves 4.

Mocha Crinkles

This recipe I got from a cookbook I purchased from one of Tasanee's school fundraisers. The name of the cookbook is Santa's favorite cookies.  I made them last Christmas to put into my little treat tins I give away every year.  I love, love, love the way they taste.  Great with milk, hot chocolate, or your coffee. I've added the picture from the cookbook so you can see what they look like. * Makes 6 dozen


INGREDIENTS

1-1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tsp. instant espresso or coffee granules
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. slat
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
1/2 cup powdered sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Beat brown sugar and oil in medium bowl with electric mixer.  Mix in sour cream, egg, and vanilla. Set aside.
2.  Mix flour, cocoa, espresso, baking soda, salt, and pepper in another medium bowl.
3.  Add flour mixture to brown sugar mixture; mix well.  Refrigerate dough until firm, 3-4 hours.
4.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Pour powdered sugar into shallow bowl.  Set aside. Cut dough into 1-inch pieces; roll into balls. Roll balls into powdered sugar.
5. Bake on ungreased cookie sheets 10-12 minutes or until tops of cookies are firm to touch. (do not overbake). Cool on wire racks.

Super Sausage Gravy

Sadly I don't have a picture of this one.  It was really good.  Both Gary and myself enjoyed the biscuits and sausage gravy with some over easy eggs. I love this recipe on those cold, rainy mornings.  It's wonderfully delicious! Another great find on www.allrecipes.com. 5 stars and straight from the source: Bob Evans (great sausage).


INGREDIENTS
1 lb breakfast sausage
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
salt & pepper to taste
8 prepared biscuits


DIRECTIONS

1.  Crumble and cook sausage in a large skillet over medium heat until browned.
2.  Stir in flour until dissolved.
3.  Gradually stir in milk.
4. Cook gravy until thick and bubbly.
5. Season with salt and pepper.  Serve over hot biscuits.

*can add more milk if gravy gets too thick.

Hawaiian Chicken Kabobs

Gary found this recipe on allrecipes.com. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars & was submitted by dailyn2003.  I think it would be great if you added different veggies along with the pineapple on the kabob.  I'm a sucker for kabobs. I love making them.  Gary came up with a great way to cook them too.  Place some foil down before you put your kabobs on the grill. You then put some of the marinade down and it caramelized your kabobs for extra flavor.  With the foil down on the grill, your kabobs cook nicely and they don't get burnt.  After all the marinade is gone and your kabobs are cooked, remove the foil and place them straight on the grill to sear them a little bit.


INGREDIENTS

3 tbsp. soy sauce
3 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tbsp. sherry
1 tbsp. sesame oil
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
8 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 2 inch pieces
1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, drained
skewers

DIRECTIONS

1. In a shallow glass dish, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, sherry, sesame oil, ginger, & garlic powder. Stir the chicken pieces and pineapple into the marinade until well coated.  Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours.
2.  Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
3.  Lightly oil the grill grate.  Thread chicken and pineapple alternately onto skewers.  Grill 15-20 minutes or until chicken juices run clear, turning occasionally.

Super Salsa

I'm a little behind on the 30 day challenge. But a lot has happened in the last week.  Lots of celebrating for my 30th which was this past Sunday and of course Super Bowl Sunday.  Go Giants! The game was great and I enjoyed the Madonna half time show.  I really don't care that she flipped everyone off. LOL! Something bad always has to happen during the half time show.  Everyone's a critic.  I was too busy enjoying the music and singing along with my friends, Cheryl and Christy.

This Super Salsa recipe I got from Trader Joe's.  We went there last Friday and they had samples out and this recipe card. I loved it so much that I bought all the ingredients and made it that night then used the rest of it in my 7 layer dip I made on Sunday.  Big hit and super easy to make. And all the ingredients you can get at Trader Joe's. Great with chips or as a relish with your meat!


INGREDIENTS

1 jar Salsa of your choice
1 jar "Corn & Chile" salsa
1 can Black Beans (drained & rinsed)
1 box Cilantro, finely diced (I used half of it)
1 avocado, diced

DIRECTIONS

1.  Combine salsas and beans in a bowl and chill.
2.  Before serving, add avocado and cilantro and mix.