Food

Skinny Bang Bang Shrimp with Homemade Chili Sauce {CBL April}

~ Girlmom ~ 4 Comments

When this recipe came across my Feedly the other week I sent the link to a few people and said “look at this bowl of heavenly goodness”. Then  I drooled on my keyboard as I bookmarked the recipe to make for my culinary bucket list this month.

I must admit this was almost too effortless for me to use as my recipe of the month…almost. Also it  was pretty  easy on the pocketbook as I already had every ingredient besides the shrimp.

Homemade sweet chili sauce is ridiculously good. I can’t believe I have been buying the stuff all these years. Sure a bottle in the pantry is good to have on hand. Perfect those nights when you just need a small amount for your Thai noodle dish or to dip an egg roll in but if you are really going use it, please make it. I made mine a tad spicier and added a touch more garlic. I was super impressed when it was done and I wished I had an egg roll to dunk in it but my fingers worked just fine.

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This entire dish takes only minutes to prepare so in no time you get to sink your teeth in to these sweet, spicy and luscious shrimp.

It tasted just as I had imagined, amazing.

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Apple Turnovers

~ Girlmom ~ 1 Comment

As I was looking through the freezer this morning, I came across a box of puff pastry buried in the back. I am embarrassed to even think how long it’s been in there, but I am pretty sure I didn’t have a kid or a bun in the oven the last time I used it. {hangs head in shame} So I decided then and there that I would use it today, but for what? Hmm that was the question. After some scouring of recipes I found this one from Simply Recipes. I have used a lot of her recipes and they all have turned out great, so I went with it.

Now since this was spur of the moment decision I had to use what I had on hand, that meant 2 small Fuji apples. Even though I had walnuts I decided to throw in some slivered almonds because I thought that sounded better. I omitted the currants, all I had were raisins and Kaili has now decided she likes them, so I shall save them for the K bear.

I managed to get the apples peeled, cored, diced, got all the ingredients mixed, rolled of the pastry dough, assemble the turnovers and throw them in the oven all while Kaili was down for a nap. Success.

Even though I felt like a rockstar once they were in the oven, I soon found out that I must have missed a step. I went back and re read the recipe only to find out that I was supposed to brush some egg wash along the corners of the pastry dough before folding it. I assume it’s so this doesn’t happen…

Delicious goodness leaking everywhere 😦

The inside oozed out all over the baking sheet. Oh well, lesson learned… They will still be yummy right?

Yummy they are!  Even though they aren’t the prettiest things they are very flavorful and the the crust is perfectly flaky. Oh and all that goodness that oozed out, well it tasted like apple spice caramel, de-lish-ish!

Easter Inspiration

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Feeling inspired this Easter? Is your inner Martha screaming to make, bake and create? No? Well me neither and it probably doesn’t help that I have been sick. I do have a ham in the fridge to cook up and some plastic easter eggs but that is about it. I found some things to try to help fire up my inner Martha, maybe they will do the same for you.

Having an Easter get together? How easy is this? Perfect for over the fireplace, front door or even along the table.

Pantone Easter Garland

A new twist on the table centerpiece. Bonus, you get to eat the goodies after everyone leaves.

JellyBean Centerpiece 

Tired of dying Easter eggs year after year, try these pretty no-dye eggs for a change.

Pretty Glitter Eggs

Cupcakes in an egg. I love this idea, I just need a reason to make them.

Easter Egg Cupcakes

Speaking of cupcakes…who doesn’t love a cadbury egg once in awhile? Combine that with a cupcake, heaven!

Cadbury Egg Cupcakes

No Easter is complete without the Peep. Instead of buying them this year how about making your own?

Peeps

Then you can make these with the leftovers, if there are leftovers.

Peep S’mores

If you are feeling really motivated, you can wow your guests with this adorable bunny butt cake.

Bunny Butt Cake

Happy Easter!

Coconut Shrimp

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I love shrimp and I love coconut and when you combine the two, I really am a happy person.

The best Coconut shrimp I have ever had is at Coyote Grill in Laguna Beach. I have been there a lot of times and I always order the same thing, however if you go and it’s time for breakfast their Huevos Rancheros and French Toast are also very good. One time while I was dining on their amazing coconut shrimp with a friend of mine, we were introduced to the drummer of the Foo Fighters {Taylor Hawkins} although he was the drummer for Alanis Morissette at the time. Just sayin.

I have had this recipe “pinned” for awhile and the urge finally hit me to make it. I didn’t have to change a thing and I found the cooking time and temperature to be perfect. I love when that happens!

For the dipping sauce, I made my own. I had a jar of Papaya Orange Habenero Preserves in the fridge and I thought that would mix nicely with a Thai Chili Sauce, I was right. The Thai Chili sauce will work great alone if that is what you desire ore you can mix it with any flavor preserves.

Ingredients {Shrimp}

1 lb (24) large shrimp, peeled and deviened (weight after peeled)

1/2 cup + 1 tbsp shredded sweetened coconut

1/2 cup + 1 tbsp panko crumbs

2 tbsp all purpose flour

1 large egg

pinch salt

non-stick spray

Directions

Preheat oven to 425°. Spray a non-stick baking sheet with cooking spray.

Combine coconut flakes, panko crumbs and salt in a bowl. Place the flour on a small dish. Whisk egg in another bowl.

Lightly  season the shrimp with salt.  Dredge the shrimp in the flour, shaking off excess, then into the egg, then in the coconut crumb mixture.

Place shrimp on the cookie sheet then spray the top of the shrimp with more cooking spray; Place sheet in the middle rack for about 10 minutes. Turn shrimp over then cook another 6-7 minutes or until cooked though. Remove from oven and serve with dipping sauce.