Honey-Lime Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Look at this!  Yesterday I promised a blog post on Facebook and here it is!  (I was sharing tips for storing cilantro)  I am not sure what my problem is, but I am all about the salad and veggies lately.  ??  Yeah, I don't know if my body knows it's Fall and I am supposed to be craving all things apple, cinnamon, pumpkin and cranberry.  I will try to break it to myself.  We've had this twice now because I bought some shrimp on sale. When shrimp is on sale, I am there.  I wish crab was on sale more often.....Anyway, we really liked this salad, like enough to have it twice in 2 weeks, so I thought I'd share.  It's fresh and pretty and healthy and delicious.  Are there anymore positive words I can use?  Oh yeah, it's fast too.  Enjoy!  And now that my internet is fixed, (WHOOOOHOOOO!!) I will, hopefully, be around more often!

Fresh Corn Soup

So the picture doesn't really do it justice, but this soup was completely delicious.  I love fresh corn in the summer and part of me wondered if it was a form a blasphemy to add fresh corn to a soup rather than just cooking it and eating it with butter.  I was worried it was going to decrease the awesomeness of fresh corn somehow.  I was wrong.  There are few ingredients in this recipe yet it's so flavorful.  The fresh corn flavor was preserved and complimented by the creaminess of the soup.  Everyone loved it.  Instead of straining through a mesh strainer like the recipe states, we just served it after processing and it was delicious.  I am not sure the straining is necessary, but use your judgement there. :)

Fresh Corn Salad

If you like corn at all, you need to make this.  ASAP.  I took one bite at dinner about a week ago and said, "Is it just me or is this salad freaking delicious?"  Yeah, it's freaking delicious.  And I don't often say the 'f' (freaking, never the other one) word.  I reserve it for special occasions such as this.  Tyler doesn't care for fresh parsley so he would have been fine if that was left out but I liked it.  To make the salad extra delicious, make sure you wait and cut the corn from the cob after preparing all the other ingredients so it stays as fresh as possible.  

Fruit Dip-The caramel-ish kind

How do you feel about asking people for recipes?  I don't usually ask.  I think I have some kind of mental disorder where I can't handle rejection.  The idea of someone saying, "No, it's a family recipe."  and the awkwardness that follows is enough for me to just eat it and say, "This is delicious!" and go on my merry way.  I went to a party once and they had a fruit dip that was brown and unlike the normal dips I had seen (which are also delicious) and needless to say, I loved it.  But instead of asking, I just decided to figure it out myself.  No awkwardness there, just me and my kitchen, and most of the time the kitchen is super supportive.

Breadsticks (Easy and Delicious!)

Very often, driving in our car is hazardous.  My kids (I will blame them) will sometimes see a restaurant or a place they want to eat and it makes them crave something they won't be having.  Luckily this never happens to me.  I never crave anything I can't have. (that was sarcastic)  This happened to Calvin the other day.  

We were on our way home to eat and he was super hungry and seeing a million things he wanted right.that.second.  Then we drove by the Olive Garden and he instantly forgot about any other craving he might have ever had in his life and zeroed in on "The Garden" and "long bread" and "noodles with sauce."  I knew we weren't eating there but my heart breaks a little when I can't give him what he wants.

Last night I decided to semi-fulfill his requests.  I wasn't expecting these breadsticks to be the equivalent of Olive Garden, I was just looking for something quick and easy that would make him happy, but they ended up resembling them quite a bit.  Except they were better, of course.  They were sooo easy and done in under an hour.  The kids have already requested them again tonight and they are simple enough, I just might oblige.

Breadsticks

ingredients:

1 cup warm water (110 degrees or the temp of a hot tub) plus 1-2 T more if needed

2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast (or 1 pkg)

1/4 cup oil

3 cups bread flour

3 T brown sugar

1 tsp salt

After baking:

1-2 T butter

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder (mine had parsley in it too)

Directions:

Whisk yeast, water and sugar together in a measuring cup and let sit for 5 minutes or until foamy.  Meanwhile, add flour and salt to bowl of mixer with the dough hook attached.  Turn mixer on to combine (about 30 seconds).  Once yeast is dissolved, turn mixer on low and add yeast/water mixture and oil.  Mix until dough is comes together and is smooth (I added a couple tablespoons of water here because mine seemed dry).  Knead with mixer on med-low for about 2 minutes.  Roll out into a 10x12 rectangle (yes, I used my ruler) and cut into strips so you have 12 pieces that are 10 inches long.  You can either twist them or lay them flat on a greased baking sheet.  

Preheat oven to 375, let breadsticks raise for at least 20 minutes (I did 30 and I thought it was perfect and I didn't worry about covering them).  Bake for 10-15 minutes until lightly golden brown.  Remove and brush with butter and sprinkle with salt and garlic powder.  (you could also use Parmesan cheese!)  Enjoy, they are so delicious!  Makes 12 breadsticks

I think these would also be great to make and bake for about 10 minutes, then freeze and be able to pull them out and bake them for 10 minutes or so when you are ready to use.  I will do it sometime.

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Source:  Adapted from this recipe at Food.com

French Onion Soup

Tuesdays with Dorie has a kind of sister group called French Fridays with Dorie.  After seeing all of their beautiful photos of French onion soup, I had been thinking I NEEDED some. 

Southwest Fiesta Salad

I guess the trend in the food blogging world is to post sweet things on Friday.  I haven't caught on to that yet.  Unless we are saying sweet-as in awesome, because then this is pretty sweet.  

We have this salad quite often and have had a few different variations so it's pretty versatile.  You can add pretty much

Gooey Salted-Caramel Popcorn

It seems like salted caramel is a big deal these days.  Have you noticed?  Maybe it's always been a big deal and I'm just noticing, not sure.  It had been a while since we had caramel popcorn at our house.  We were so hooked and the kettle corn (still are) that we made it every time we wanted sweet popcorn.  Then, Jesse posted a caramel popcorn recipe on her blog and I saw the pictures.  I really shouldn't look at food blogs because then I get things in my head.  I just can't help it.  Her recipe was a little different than the one I had been using.  Not a lot.  All the same ingredients, just a little less butter and more brown sugar.  I decided to try hers since there was less butter, I figured it's healthier, right?  (I know, I am delusional.  Just go with me on it.)  I had some

California Rolls

I have been wanting to make these for a while now, but just got around to it.  I like buying them at the grocery store sometimes and wanted to see if I could duplicate them at home.  The only problem with this is not everyone in my family was excited about them.  I feel like every once in a while I need to make something I want and not worry about the masses though, ya know?  

Mozzarella Bites (on a stick) with Chutney and Marinara

Last chance to share recipes for the Super Bowl and if we were having a party, these would be on the menu!  They were so good, I kept eating them!  After a new batch would come out, I would each  another one.  It was to the point that I wouldn't let myself eat any after I sat down at the table since I had scarfed so many already!  And I wasn't even eating them with the sauce.  I am including the recipe for 2 sauces and you can decided what kind of person you are.  Our family was

Parmesan Stuffed Soft Pretzels with Puff Pastry

I used to be more into the whole football scene, but football and I parted ways a while ago.  I know the Super Bowl is coming up and those who don't even like football are allowed to pretend they do.  If we lived in a different place right now, I would possibly be throwing a party just for the food and company, but this is not the year for that.  We live in a little apartment and don't really have a friend-count that would warrant a "party."  So I will live vicariously through all of you.  

Kettle Corn

I hope I am in time for your Friday day night movie party.  We have been making this for a couple months and I thought today might be a good day to share it.  It takes very little time to make, probably 5-10 minutes total.  And it's a pretty simple recipe, if you don't mind shaking your booty for a  few minutes.  I don't mind it.  I tell myself that I am burning off calories, you know, while preparing to eat more.  That's how I roll.  

Avocado and Mango Salsa

 Look at this!  A healthy recipe!  And you guys didn't think I had it in me.  Okay, I know I have a few healthy ones on here, but I probably don't want to know the percentage of healthy vs not-healthy.

My brother, Davey, and I made this recipe about a year ago and served it with tortilla chips.  It was a hit.  When we went to prepare the ingredients, I was a little nervous.  I had never worked with mango before.  Davey said he knew what he was doing.

5 1/2 layer dip

We had a little family New Year's Eve party last night (I guess since it's past midnight, it was technically the other night.)  Me, Tyler and the kiddos.  And what does a party mean?  Food!!  We had 5 1/2 layer dip, (extra pico de gallo) with chips, some chocolate chip cookies I will share at a later date (probably tomorrow) and some virgin margaritas (strawberry and plain).  The kids got to stay up until 10:30!  We played Mario Kart, watched Tron, painted toenails and fingernails (the girls, anyway) and ate, ate, ate.  I hope you guys all had a wonderful Holiday season.  I guess it's time to get back to reality although I am not looking forward to it.  

I know this dip isn't a new notion.  You have probably made it before but I like when I can take recipes I already have and turn them into something new and delicious.

Crab Rangoon (Cream Cheese Won tons) with Sweet and Sour Sauce

I LOVE CHINESE FOOD!  It might be weird that I am posting about this, right now, with Christmas right around the corner.  Maybe you are having people over for a get-together and this would be the perfect addition to your party.  Or maybe not, but here it is anyway!  

Chicken and Broccoli Puff Pocket

 I realized the other day that I only had 3 chicken tenderloins in the freezer and usually it takes 6-8 to feed my family.  I was trying to decided how I could dupe them into thinking they had their full meal while only using half the meat.  Whenever I am in this predicament, I always land on something wrapped in bread, some kind of soup or gravy type meal.  I had been eyeing the puff pastry recipe and wanting to try it anyway.  And what's better than something wrapped in bread?  Something wrapped in puff pastry.

Guacamole

I have been on the biggest Avocado kick the past little while.  I am obsessed with putting avocado or guacamole on everything.  I think it's because avocados are so good for you and I only eat things that are healthy. (I can't even type that without laughing)  It does make me feel good that something I am eating is healthy.  It's good and easy and we know I like that.  I just put everything in my food processor and push the button.  I make this guacamole recipe for a lot of things, some of which are coming soon....

Pico de Gallo

I didn't know it was spelled like that, I just educated myself the other day when I emailed this recipe to a friend.  Now I wonder if I am saying it right.....

If you had a garden and you have tonz of tomatoes lying around then I am so jealous of you. 
I wish I did, I love tomatoes. 
This is an easy recipe for fresh salsa.  I have some recipes I want to post later that this goes really well with but we also just eat it sometimes with chips. 
I really wish someone could send some garden tomatoes to me!