Grilled Shrimp, Fried Shrimp, Shrimp Gumbo, Shrimp Etouffee

But seriously...shrimp kabobs!

I was in the mood for something light and fresh tonight, so shrimp kabobs it was!

My garden has not provided me quite enough vegetables to do all of this without the help of the local Kroger, but it was all yummy!

I used fresh water shrimp (prawns) tonight. I think I prefer regular Gulf shrimp... Make sure you de-vein the shrimp before grilling, much more appetizing! 

Chopped up into perfect kabob size pieces!

I added a couple of okra from the garden just for fun. Then I brushed both sides with olive oil, sprinkled it all with salt, pepper, and a seafood seasoning I got at Central Market called Colorado Spice Maryland Seafood Seasoning. If I had more time, I would have created a marinade and let the whole kabob marinate for at least half an our. But we were too hungry to wait!

Only takes about 6 minutes on high heat, turn once, and keep the grill lid closed as much as possible. I added 3 kabobs of veggies and pineapple. 

Chargrilled yumminess!

Paired with a spinach salad atop whole grain rice. I prefer white rice for taste/texture, but the whole grain is healthier!

All in all, a great meal! Next time I will use Gulf Shrimp and marinate it all longer. Healthy, low in sodium and very filling!

Cheers!

Kalee

So Fresh and so Clean!

Nothing brings the flavor of a dish out like fresh ingredients. Now while I am not fortunate enough to live on a farm, or even a chunk of land larger then your average Dairy Queen, I do have a small garden that my DH and FIL built for me last year. I keep tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, okra, squash, zucchini and bell peppers. In small pots on my back porch I keep fresh herbs. I pick the key herbs that would be used for nearly every meal, along with a couple just for fun. I HIGHLY recommend that if you have even a window to set a pot in that you keep basil, oregano and rosemary at hand.
Here are a few pics from this evening...

Fresh Basil is a perfect addition to more meals then you would think!

Some Oregano and Lemon Balm

Try roasting sliced French Bread on the grill, drizzled with olive oil and a sprig of fresh Rosemary

An old-fashioned bottle tree that my cumber has chosen to climb

Green onions are your chives, and the white parts are sweet when grilled

A few little okra...more will come the hotter it gets

These tomatoes will be red before you know it!

Cheers!

Kalee

My Cooking Journey

My mother is a wonderful mother! Her talents encompass writing, artistic things of all varieties, intelligence beyond mine, extreme sarcasm and much much more. Cooking beyond approximately 4 or 5 recipes is not one her attributes however!
Don't get me wrong, growing up I ate just fine. There was always plenty of food, and it was healthy enough. We did not keep a bunch of junk food around, and vegetables were a must. That being said, short of some mincemeat cookies and 7 layer dip I can not name any cooking lessons that were passed along to me.
Fast forward to August of 2006...my dear husband had no idea that he had married the kitchen-wife equivalent of Mr. Magoo. The first time I boiled eggs I had to call my MIL to ask how. The first time I made mashed potatoes they were out of a box. The most complicated meal that I made the first year of our marriage was chili, it involved 3 ingredients: meat, beans, chili mix.
Then, a food angel heard my DHs prayers and stomach growls and I was sent a sign. While at my SIL's home one day I sat talking to her as she chopped up ingredients for a gumbo from the Best Life recipe book. As the kids ran through the house shouting, the in-laws were all talking, and I was babbling to her about who knows what she looked calm, at ease, deliberate in her dicing and slicing. As someone who is quite fond of control and neatness, I immediately felt in awe of her skill. I asked her for a copy of the recipe and the rest is history. It was the first real meal I ever made. Since then I have gone through countless cookbooks, Southern Living recipes, Food Network shows, and my own experiments. I have hosted 2 family Thanksgivings with every recipe possible made from scratch, and loved EVERY moment of it! As I continue to hone my culinary skills, I will use this blog if for no other reason than to document for myself that I CAN do something other then work, nap & read. :) To start off with a bang, I will post a few of my favorite dishes I have made!

Jamaican Jerk steak, cream cheese stuffed red potatoes, boiled shimp

Margarita pizza, from scratch, fresh tomatoes mozzarella and basil

My first turkey ever, VERY MOIST! Cooked it upside down in a wine/herb/broth until last 30 min, then browned the top

Lamb chops with a balsamic reduction, tomatoes and mozzarella salad, baked red potatoes

Greek salad with cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, & Kalamata olives

Indian kabobs, marinated in a curry sauce with yogurt/cucumber dip

Lobster avocado cups, inspired by one of my favorite restaurants T.A.B.C.

Some herbs and onions from my garden earlier this spring

Chicken fettucini with a pesto sauce, salad, and mozzerella/rosemary stuffed grilled Portobello mushrooms

I also vow to start taking prettier/better quality pictures of my food!

Thanks for reading my first blog!

Cheers!

Kalee