by on August 19, 2013   •   39 Comments Dinner

Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa

We’re grasping at summer now that the days are slipping through our fingers quicker than ever and the evenings are noticeably cooler. Gathering the family, barefoot and dusty, around the patio table at the end of a day is a cherish moment as we all know that this weather is as fleeting as our unhurried evenings.

Last week we saluted summer with a feast of soft corn tacos filled with lemony grilled shrimp, ripe avocado, and a generous spoonful of smoky corn and sweet onion salsa.

I don’t think anyone spoke around the table during this family dinner, we were all to busy building and eating tacos. Then Danny and I sat back, satisfied, while the children whirled around on the grass, newly energized.

Jan’s shrimp and tomato kebabs were my inspiration for this recipe, while the garnish came together after a quick assessment of fridge leftovers – lonely cob of corn? Check. Half an onions. Got it. Limes? Always. Alright, let’s get grilling.

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by on March 21, 2012   •   24 Comments Dinner

Shrimp: The Other Fast Food {Recipe: Lemon Pepper Shrimp Over Greens}

Written by Kristen of Dine and Dish.

Spring has sprung, which means a change from less active, hibernating winter days to more active, over-scheduled days of outside fun. Slow paced days nestled inside with a good book or family board game are set aside for sports practices and games, dance recitals and end of the school year programs. It is during this time of year that I rely more and more on healthy and delicious meals that I can get on the table as quickly as possible.

Instead of making a trip through the local drive-through, I often turn to my favorite fast food to solve my time crunch dilemma… shrimp. Shrimp is one of those ideal foods: kid friendly, quick and easy to cook, and versatile with so many recipe possibilities! [Read more…]

by on April 24, 2010   •   21 Comments Pantry

Spices 101: Storing Spices (Recipe: Black Pepper Shrimp)

If you’ve been following our Spices 101 series, you may have had some spice myths debunked, and also may have decided to invest in quality spices.  Today, we’ll learn how to store your quality spices properly so that they’ll maintain their maximum freshness and potency.

It may come as a surprise to you, but a decorative spice rack conveniently situated above the stove is not doing your spices any favors. Sure the row of little glass jars are pretty to look at and the rack itself may be a space saver, but with all the heat, steam, gas and fallout from your cooking, your spices are no better off than the Icelandic cattle living in the path of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano spew.

OK, maybe a little better.

Here’s how to store everything from anise to za’atar.

What Your Spices Should Avoid

No sauna’s (or volcanoes) please! When storing spices, your biggest enemies are:

  • Air
  • Light
  • Heat
  • Humidity

What comes to mind? Can you think of someplace that’s airtight, dark, cool and dry? Read on! [Read more…]

by on February 16, 2010   •   43 Comments Dinner

Simplify Dinner with a One-Pot Meal

One-pot meals are like the footie pajamas of the family table; cozy, familiar, and easy to throw on. They offer the pleasure of home cooking assembled with little fuss and minimal clean-up, and nearly always contain a starch, protein and vegetable all rolled into one happy dish.

One-pot meal defined

Most cultures have their version of the one-pot meal. The Italians stir up creamy risotto, the Spanish steam fragrant paella and the French serve a perfect cassoulet, to name but just a few. Versions of this dish span the globe from nearly every ethnicity, the defining factor is in its name: it requires only one pot. That pot may be a wok, a Dutch Oven, a skillet or tagine, but everything is prepared in that one vessel and the melded flavors combine to produce something extraordinary. [Read more…]