Game Day Fire Cracker Shrimp

Get ready to spice up your game day with the ultimate appetizer: Game Day Firecracker Shrimp! 🦐🔥 Imagine large, juicy tiger shrimp, perfectly crispy from a seasoned flour coating, and then tossed in a mouth-watering spicy Thai Sweet Chili sauce. The flavor explosion doesn't stop there – these shrimp are garnished with fresh scallions for that extra zing! 🌶️🌿

This recipe is super easy to follow, with clear prep and cooking times, and a detailed ingredient list for both the seasoned flour and the fiery sauce. Plus, frying these bad boys in coconut oil not only adds a delicious tropical twist but also packs in some health benefits. 🥥💪

So, get your apron on and get ready to impress your friends with this restaurant-inspired dish that's sure to be a hit at any gathering! 🎉🍤

Enjoy cooking and happy munching! 😋🍽️

Just-A-Pinch Blue Ribbon Winning Recipe.

 

 

Ingredients

·  1 1/2 pounds of Large Tiger Shrimp peeled and deveined

Season Flour

·   1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour

·   1/2 cup Cornstarch

·   1 tbsp Old Bay Seasoning

·   1 tbsp Garlic Powder

·   1 tsp Cumin

·   1 tsp Cayenne pepper

    

    Other Ingredients

·    1/2 cup Thai Sweet Chili Sauce

·    1/4 cup Chopped Scallions

·     salt to taste

·    Coconut Oil for pan frying ( or you can use vegetable oil) (see note )

Note: Coconut oil has been described by nutritionists as " The Healthiest oil on earth". I use "Pure, Unrefined, Cold Pressed" coconut oil. You may buy online or in your local health food store. It adds a lighter taste to fried foods, and I love cooking with it.

Step 1

Preheat oil for frying between 350 - 360 ° F. While oil is heating, in a large Ziploc bag, add flour, cornstarch, Old Bay, garlic powder, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Place shrimp in a bag and toss until shrimp is completely covered in seasoned flour, then remove shrimp and shake off excess seasoned flour and place on a plate to give the coating a chance to adhere to the shrimp.

 Step 2

 Place shrimp in hot oil in small batches so that you keep your oil hot. Cook batches of shrimp for about

 1 - 2 minutes or until golden brown. Place fried shrimp on a tray with paper towels to drain and lightly season to taste with salt.

Step 3

To Serve, first place shrimp in a large bowl and add Thai Sweet Chili sauce to coat shrimp, then place on a serving platter and garnish with chopped scallions and lemon or lime zest if you desire. 

Individual Cheesy Potato Mushroom Gratins

 

Get ready to impress your taste buds with these Individual Cheesy Potato Mushroom Gratins! 🍄🧀🥔

Imagine layers of tender, blanched potatoes nestled in rich, creamy cheese sauce, featuring a delightful trio of cream cheese, Asiago, and Gruyere. Add to that the earthy goodness of golden sautéed mushrooms, infused with garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Each bite is a harmonious blend of flavors, topped with a crunchy Parmesan and toasted almond crumb, and garnished with fresh chives for that perfect finishing touch.

These gratins are baked to golden perfection in individual ramekins, making them not only delicious but also charmingly personal. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or simply treating yourself, these cheesy potato mushroom gratins are sure to be a hit. So, preheat your oven, grab your ramekins, and get ready to enjoy a dish that's as fun to make as it is to eat! 😋

Bon appétit! 🍽️

Ingredients  

• 2 lbs. russet baking potatoes, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp garlic, minced
• 1 1/3 cups of heavy cream
• 2/3 cup half & half
• 3 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2/3 cup shredded Asiago cheese
• 2/3 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
• 3/4 tsp fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• 3/4 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted and chopped
• 1 1/3 tbsp butter
• 1 1/3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced

Prep Essentials:

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cooking Time: 25 - 30 minutes
• Cooking Method: Stovetop/oven
• Servings: 6

Recipe Essential Tools:

• Double Boiler or a non-stick saucepan for cheese sauce
• Wooden Spoon
• Whisk
• Cheese Grater
• 6 8 oz size ramekins

Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 375°F.

2.  Bring a large pot of salt water to a boil. Blanch sliced potatoes for 4 minutes, drain, and set aside.

3.  Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add mushrooms and sauté until golden and moisture evaporates, about 6-8 minutes.

4.  Stir in garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper; cook for 1 more minute. Remove from heat.

5.  In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.

6.  Gradually whisk in heavy cream and half & half, stirring constantly until thickened, about 5 minutes.

7.  Reduce heat to low. Add cream cheese, Asiago, Gruyere, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Stir until cheese melts and sauce is smooth.

8.  Divide half the potatoes evenly into six 8-ounce ramekins. Top evenly with half the mushroom mixture.

9.  Pour half the cheese sauce over each ramekin.

10. Repeat layering with the remaining potatoes, mushrooms, and cheese sauce.

11. Combine Parmesan cheese and toasted almonds, and sprinkle evenly over each gratin.

12. Bake uncovered 25-30 minutes until tops are golden brown, and  gratins are bubbly.

13. Garnish with fresh chives before serving.

I love making Biscuits - Thanks to You Mom

 Biscuits Galore: A Delicious Tribute to My Mother and Southern Roots

The art of biscuit-making was inspired by my mother, who made the best biscuits in the world from scratch. I am a city girl with southern roots, who shares my love for biscuits in various forms - square, round, plain, blueberry, cheddar cheese, and pumpkin. But the task of making them from scratch, like my mother, was hard.

So, since this is all about cooking from “The Pantry”, quick and easy meals. My shortcut is using a “Biscuit Mix” and putting my touches on it. I present to you four mouth-watering biscuit recipes using my favorite biscuit mix, “Bisquick”.

Pumpkin Biscuits: These biscuits are made with Bisquick mix, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, pumpkin puree, and a touch of agave nectar. They are perfect for a cozy autumn day.

Ingredients – Pumpkin Biscuits

•  3 cups Bisquick Biscuit mix
• 1/2 tsp Nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp Pumpkin Spice
• 1tsp Salt
• 1 cup Pumpkin puree
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup Club Soda
• 2 tbsp Agave Nectar 
• 3 tbsp Olive Oil 

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400˚   

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients first - Biscuit mix, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, and salt, then blend well. Add wet ingredients, pumpkin puree, egg, club soda, agave nectar, and olive oil. Blend the dough well, then flour your board and scrape the dough onto the board, and flour your hands. Knead dough by hand until smooth, but do not handle the dough too much. You do not want tough biscuits.  

3. Pat the dough flat about 3/4 - inch and use a 3" biscuit cutter to cut out biscuits. If you are from the old school, you can use a drinking glass. Place on a baking sheet about 1/2 a part and bake for about 12 - 15 minutes or until golden brown. Then remove from the oven and serve with "real maple syrup" butter or jelly.  

Cheddar Cheese Biscuits: These savory biscuits are packed with triple cheddar cheese and buttermilk, making them a cheesy delight for any meal.

Ingredients – Cheddar Cheese Biscuits

• 3 cups Biscuit mix
• 1teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup Buttermilk
• 3 tablespoons  Olive Oil
• 1egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup Club Soda
• 1 Cup Triple Cheddar Cheese

Directions 

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients, and then add wet ingredients. Once everything is combined, add Cheddar Cheese and blend well.   Sprinkle flour on the pastry board and your hands and knead the dough, then flatten the dough to about 1/2 " thick. Cut out biscuits with a biscuit or cookie cutter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.  

3. While biscuits are baking, melt 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Then set aside.   When biscuits are done, pour melted butter over them and then serve.

Blueberry Biscuits: These biscuits combine the tanginess of buttermilk with the sweetness of blueberries, creating a perfect balance of flavors.

Plain Butter Milk Biscuits: Old-fashioned butter milk biscuits, square or round, are a great vehicle for "Sausage Gravy."

Ingredients – Buttermilk and Blueberry Biscuits

•     3 cups Biscuit mix 

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 cup Buttermilk

• 3 tablespoons of Olive Oil 

• 1egg, beaten

• 1/4 cup Club Soda

• 1 cup of blueberries (for blueberry biscuits)

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients, and then add wet ingredients. Once everything is combined, add Blueberries (if making blueberry biscuits) and blend well.   Sprinkle flour on the pastry board and your hands and knead the dough, then flatten the dough to about 1/2 " thick. Cut out biscuits with a biscuit or cookie cutter. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until golden brown.

3. While biscuits are baking, melt 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine in the microwave oven for about 30 seconds. Then set aside. When biscuits are done, pour melted butter over them and serve with your favorite honey or jelly.