Friday, August 21, 2009

Cilantro Shrimp and Corn Salsa


It has been awhile since I made dinner and Nick is still raving over this one. I have to agree with him. Delish! I would highly recommend grilling the corn, although you can use canned or frozen is time is a factor.


Grilled Corn and Avocado Salsa

Ingredients
3 medium corn on the cob, grilled, cooled to room temperature
1/2 cup(s) scallion(s), white and green parts, chopped
1 medium jalapeno pepper(s), cored, seeded and minced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, optional
1 small garlic clove(s), minced
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp table salt
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 medium avocado, ripe, peeled, pitted and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice, from 1 medium lime
2 Tbsp cilantro, fresh, minced

Instructions
Break each ear of corn in half; place flat end on cutting board and using a sharp paring knife, slice kernels off cob. Place kernels in a medium bowl; add scallion, jalapeno, red pepper flakes, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate if not using right away.
Just before serving, stir in avocado, lime juice and cilantro. Yields about 1/4 cup per serving.


Shrimp with Chile-Cilantro Rub

Ingredients

1 bunch cilantro, chopped coarsely
1 habanero chile, chopped
4 shallots, chopped
2 lemons, zested
2 limes, zested and juiced to 1/4 cup (
juice more limes if necessary)
1 cup coconut milk

1/4 cup soy
sauce
1/4 vegetable oil
16 jumbo shrimp
, cleaned, deveined
8 skewers
Marinade
1/4 bunch cilantro leaves, as garnish

Instructions

Puree all marinade ingredients in a blender. Reserve 2 tablespoons of marinade.
Skewer shrimp and place in marinade and refrigerate.
After shrimp has marinated 2 to 3 hours, grill for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, making sure they are fully cooked.
Serve with a drizzle of the reserved marinade and cilantro, as garnish.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

New Car!!

My lease was up the week after the wedding and even though I knew it was quickly approaching, I delayed doing anything about it until the week it was due. I then get distracted all week and do nothing. Finally Friday rolls around and I call the dealership to find out when it's due. Today. Oh okay, that's good. Nick and I start to scramble, contact Krug Ford in Brighton and Paul, my favorite car salesman ever, comes to the rescue. I even got to pick up my new baby later that day! What is it, you ask?

2010 Mercury Mariner - LOADED!
(and I'm not kidding about the loaded)

It comes with the new Sync technology which allows you to talk through your car into your phone. It also allows you to talk to your car like it's a person and NOT sound like a crazy person. (I really like that part) Nick is happy about the hands free phone part because he is convinced I would end up in an accident one day because I was talking on my phone. He may have some evidence to back up his story, seeing as the lease I turned in had some damage due to a phone conversation and a pole....long story....later post.

Anyway....onto the pictures!


There she is!

Leather interior

(I highly recommend this with kids and dogs. Spills and hair just wipes clean, no stains!)

*please ignore the passenger seat - or consider it a sneak peek of soon to be updated master bedroom


Loaded! I'm only missing 2 buttons - heated and cooling seats. Plus a 6 month trial of Sirius!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Camping

So after a major departure from blogging, I'm back, married and committed to keeping this blog going. This originally started as a food blog but melded into posting about the house and now I've decided to post about really whatever I want to talk about. There will be a wedding post in the future but I'm waiting on pro photos so until then, this will have to do.

We took a mini "vacation" after the wedding - aka - camping overnight at Bruin Lake in Gregory. We had the best of intentions but it was freaking me out that my house was a disaster and Nick had school stuff to take care of so we ended up shortening our trip to an overnighter.

Here's some pictures to get you through:
My adorable Ziggy, he was not a fan of being on a leash

Nick and Ben playing some UNO

So I ended up packing for this trip in about 3 hours, which also included a trip to Meijer for food. We of course, forgot some things so I've created a list of camping gear for all you nature lovers out there. Plus, I can then refer back here next time we go so I am a little more prepared.

CAMPING GEAR

  • butter for sandwich maker
  • garbage bags
  • sharp knife
  • paper plates and plastic silverware
  • table cloth and holders
  • baby wipes or clorox wipes
  • soap sponges (soft scrub makes them - no need to bring dish soap)
  • pillows/sleeping bags/sheets (if you have a sweaty hubby like mine)
  • toiletries (i prefer travel size and disposable since they get gross)
  • beer (duh)
  • bottled water
  • coolers
  • folding chairs
  • sandwich maker/grill grate/other cooking gear
  • tongs
  • marshmallow sticks
  • dog blanket
  • tarps
  • air mattress
  • broom (for sweeping out the tent)