Shrimp

I am not normally a fan of shrimp that is not fried. I am just not. Something about it has always grossed me out. But I have finally found a recipe for some that is NOT fried! Yay! Check out this SUPER simple recipe. This recipe has been floating around Facebook and Pinterest so I tweaked it ever so slightly and tried it out. :)


Ingredients:

1 pound of shrimp (peeled and deveined are preferable)
1 package of Italian dressing mix
2 lemons
1 stick of butter
2 tablespoons salt

Directions:

Preheat the over to 350 degrees. On a baking pan layer aluminum foil. Melt the stick of butter in the microwave and then pour onto the foil. Lay out the shrimp on the butter and sprinkle the package of dressing mix all over the shrimp. Cut the lemons into slices and lay them evenly all over the shrimp.  Lastly, sprinkle the salt all over evenly then bake for 15 minutes.

The flavor is great and the texture that shrimp have after is wonderful! Enjoy!

Cajun Pasta

In this you will make a batch of Cajun seasoning. It will not all go into dish! 

Ingredients:

1 lb deveined shrimp

1 package of smoked sausage/kielbasa sliced

1/2 cup diced green onion

1/2 cup onion

1/2 cup chicken stock

1 cup heavy whipping cream

1 lb cooked linguine

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 table spoons minced garlic

Recipe for Creole Seasoning:

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika

2 tablespoons salt

2 tablespoons garlic powder

1 tablespoon black pepper

1 tablespoon onion powder

1 tablespoon cayenne pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 tablespoon dried thyme

Mix these spices together.

Cook linguine until al dente in a pot.

In a sauté pan put two tablespoons of olive oil and shrimp in with 2 tablespoons of creole seasoning and cook until pink. Take shrimp and set to the side.

Add remaining two tablespoons to pan with onions, peppers, garlic and sausage. Cook thoroughly. 

Now add shrimp back to the pan. 

Add heavy whipping cream and chicken stock plus another tablespoon of creole seasoning. Let everything cook together for about 5 minutes then serve. 

This dish is spicy but delicious :) 

Mexarole (Mexican Casserole)

One of my new favorite recipes! Will be doing a few versions of it. :)

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups of rice (cooked)

1 cup of sour cream

1 cup of cheese

1 cup of frozen corn

1 can of green diced chiles

2 cans of black beans drained

5-6 chicken tenderloins (I recommend precooking them)

DIRECTIONS:

Pre heat oven to 350 degrees. Simply mix all of the ingredients in a big mixing bowl. Make sure you mis thoroughly. Salt and pepper to taste at this point. Place in a casserole pan and bake for 30 minutes. When you serve put a dollup of sour cream, a spoon of salsa and shredded cheese on top. Enjoy :)

Creamy Fruit Dip

This fruit dip is one very similar to LOTS of fruit dip recipes but I have made it a few times, tweaked some measurements and got to the recipe I find most delicious. My personal opinion :)


Ingredients: 

1 eight ounce package of cream cheese
1 cup of powdered sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of pineapple juice


Directions:

You will need two separate bowls for this recipe. In one bowl mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and fully mixed. 

In second bowl mix heavy whipping cream and granulated sugar until it turns to a thickened texture like whipped cream. 

Take the cream cheese mixture and mix it into the whipped cream mixture with a spoon. Add the pineapple juice at this time slowly mixing it in. If you decide you want less juice for texture reasons that is completely up to you. Once done it is ready to be served :) The best fruits I feel are apples and grapes. Those two taste especially good with this dip! 

Addendum to my Ham and Potato Casserole...

While it was tasty I do not believe I will make it again. Why? Well it is honestly a confusing dish to me HAHA! I do not think it was suffice enough by itself but on the same token I do not know what I could serve it with. You could maybe turn it into a soup and serve with baguette. In the end, I just don't think I would personally make it again and so I felt I had to share that. Maybe some of you will try the recipe and give me some suggestions on what to do with it :)

Salsa Chicken and Black Bean Soup

INGREDIENTS: 

1 box of chicken broth

1 bag of frozen chicken tenderloins

1 jar of salsa

2 teaspoons of cumin

2 cans of black beans

DIRECTIONS: 

Put all of the ingredients into crock pot and cook on high for 4 hours. Serve with cheese and sour cream. Yum!!!!

Ham and potato casserole

INGREDIENTS:

Chunks of ham (however much you desire) I did precooked.

8-10 peeled and diced potatoes.

2 cans of cream of celery soup.

2 cups of water

2 tablespoons of flour

1 sixteen ounce bag of cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS: 

Simply combine all ingredients into a crock pot. Stir thoroughly. Set to high and cook for four hours. Enjoy!!!!