Steamed Shrimp and BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp

Both are very yummy.  Will need two people for this recipe unless you are superwoman.  One manning the grill and one the steamer/kitchen.  

This is the second time doing these recipes.  The first time we did two pounds jumbo shrimp and did one pound for each recipe.  This time I had only bought a pound of jumbo shrimp and split the two recipes.  Divide up the shrimp.

Steamed Shrimp:

Keep the shell on.  You will need one 12 or 16oz beer to put in the bottom of the steamer.  If you are doing a half of a pound a 12 oz will be just fine.  I used Yuengling Lager.  Place shrimp in steamer basket and heavily coat with old bay seasoning.  Stir to turn shrimp and coat some more. Now, I adore old bay seasoning.  My philosophy for this recipe is just when you think you put enough on, add more.  The shrimp will steam for about 6-10 minutes or until pink.

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp:

Shell and devein shrimp.  Using a paring knife is the easiest way to devein the shrimp in my opinion.  Place on a plate and coat with a bbq rub.  You will want to semi-cook the bacon before wrapping the shrimp so it finishes at the same time as the shrimp.  You only need half of a piece of bacon to wrap one shrimp.  So count your shrimp and divide the number of pieces of bacon you will need.  Place the bacon on a plate and microwave for a minute and thirty seconds.  Cut in half and let cool a bit.  Wrap a half of a piece of bacon around each shrimp and secure with a toothpick.  Coat with more bbq rub.  Walk the plate out to your lovely helper so they can start grilling!  Place shrimp on grill and baste with your favorite bbq sauce.  Turn shrimp and baste.  Keep turning and basting til shrimp are pink.  May take about 6-10 minutes depending on grill.  

Remember: Rubbery shrimp is awful and overcooking is easy.  I would rather take one off prematurely and slightly break it open to check it then to overcook.  

We served this awesome dish with a side salad and home brewed iced tea.  

Saturday Adventure

My friends, Katelyn and Tiffany, embarked on an adventure to places we have never been in our own town.  First stop was the Bizarre Market which is made up of local artists who sells goods that have been re-purposed into something else.  A lot of neat stuff at decent prices. They are having another Bizarre Market November 20th at Quirk Gallery.  We then headed to the Clothes Rack on Cary Street.  It is a small thrift store sponsored by the junior league. I got a 1982 Southern Living Cook Book for $1!  Next stop was to several antique stores in Carytown, but my favorite stop was to Penzeys Spices.  All spices are fresh and quickly shipped to their warehouse where they dry and ground the spices/herbs by hand.  Many obscure/hard to find spices are here as well as new ones such as different seasoning salts or combinations of spices.  One of my favorite to smell was the Ceylon Cinnamon.  They had a fair amount of Central and South American inspired spices, which are by far my most favorite dishes to cook and consume.  I also had a lovely little chat with an employee about the awesomeness of fresh rosemary and how it is one herb we refuse to use in a dried form.  I am glad someone else feels so strongly about that as I do!

Another great thing about Penzeys is that all the recipes are from customers.  The company itself does not publish its own recipes whatsoever. Each recipe in the catalog has a story from a customer who sent it in. Very cool if you ask me. If you do not have a store near you (they have 49) then you can also purchase the spices/herbs online. But, it is fun to go in and smell all the rich herbs and spices and get some free recipes.

Reupholstering a Kitchen Chair

Very easy and fun so do not be discouraged.  You will need a chair pad you do not like, pretty fabric, an iron, staple gun with staples, screw driver (philips head most likely) or a drill to remove/replace screws.

First, iron the fabric that will go on the chair if it is wrinkled.

Remove screws from the bottom of the chair pad.  Should be four screws.

Remove the chair pad.  This was painted on.  Seriously, why would someone do this?

Flip over the new fabric so you are looking at the backside.  Flip over the chair pad on top of the fabric.  To me, it is kind of like wrapping a present and smoothing everything out when you are folding in the ends.  Do this around the chair pad and pull tight.  Staple gun each piece you fold over the chair pad.  You want to keep it tight so that when you sit on it, the fabric will not gather. When done, screw in nails.

And, voila!

Smelly Kitchen Drain

We do not have a garbage disposal and even though we scrape plates before hand washing, some food pieces slip down the drain.  I feel the kitchen always had a faint but weird smell.  I always thought it was the trash or something else. Last night, I decided that it could be the drain.  Who knows if they cleaned the drain before we moved in or if the past tenants ever attempted it, but it needed to be done.  We have a double sink so I poured a half a cup of baking soda in each and forced it down with the back of a utensil.  Then I poured a half a cup of white vinegar in each drain and let it fizz.  Followed by a pot of boiling water on each side.  It has not smelled yet and hopefully it stays that way.

Homemade Chicken Stock

When you roast a chicken you should not throw anything away and make homemade chicken stock.  Freeze it for later use.

After picking the chicken toss everything left over in a pot including the pan drippings.  Any juice left on the plate from carving the chicken can be tossed in. It will only add more flavor.  I also added two quartered medium onions, 2 chopped carrots, 2 chopped ribs of celery with the leaves still on, 2 bay leaves, 1/2 tablespoon fresh rosemary and thyme, and 10 whole black peppercorns. Add about 2 quarts of cold water. Bring to boil then simmer for 2 and a half hours.  Taste and add salt if needed.

Strain and put into a container.  Leave in refrigerator for 24 hours.  Skim the fat off and then you can freeze it.

Apple, Onion and Herb Chicken with Apple Bake for dessert

My friend, Megan, inspired me to try this roast chicken.  I changed up a few things but nothing major.  It also gave me a chance to try the homemade stock recipe I have had for years.  Please note, I am horrible at taking pictures BEFORE I cut it up and serve. Please forgive me. I suppose I am just too excited and just ready to dig in!

We used just over a 4lb pound all natural chicken.  Remove innards, rinse with water, pat dry with paper towel.  Generously rub with sea salt.  Place breast up in roasting pan.  I snip back the skin from the chicken just a bit and stuff with seasonings. I feel it just adds more flavor to the meat.  Slice half a vidalia onion and half a sweet apple.  I used honey crisp.  Place some inside, under the skin and arrange on top.  I placed two sprigs of fresh rosemary inside, snapped one sprig and placed under the skin, and then sprinkled on top.  A palm full of fresh parsley inside, a bit less under the skin and then sprinkle on top.  I believe the rule is 20 minutes per pound or when the thigh reads 180 degrees.

All the delightful smells (and eating the rest of the apple) made me want to make a fall-ish dessert.  Towards the end of the cooking time melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a baking dish or large cast iron skillet.  Skin two apples and slice. Place on top of melted butter.  Sprinkle 1/4 of a cup quick rolled oats and 1/4 of a cup of brown sugar.  Sprinkle with spices... I did ground cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice.  Cook for 20 minutes or til apples are tender when poked.  Serve with vanilla ice cream and dust with powdered sugar.

The stock is simmering now and boy does it smell awesome.  Will post when completed.



P.S- I believe I am ready for fall and more yummy apple recipes.

Afternoon Tea

Oh, how I love tea.  It is truly my favorite beverage whether it is served hot, cold, or with lemonade mixed in.  I love having afternoon tea.  I truly loved this concept when we visited London.  I feel the urge to host an afternoon tea one Saturday or Sunday when fall comes.  Robust tea alongside tiny scrumptious sweets and sandwiches.  Please stay tuned.

This is currently my favorite tea cup.  I love the little birds and flowers.  I found it at a consignment store in Ashland.  I forget the name of the store, but my friend and I found it by accident.  It did not come with saucers unfortunately.  The cupcake tea pot was a valentines gift from my aunt.  It is great for brewing a small pot of tea and only using one tea bag.  You can get two cups out of it and it is super cute.

Cheers!