Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Shrimp & Grits

An easy go-to recipe when I am having friends over for dinner is my very own version of Shrimp & Grits.  As you know by now, I improvise a lot when cooking so this is not your traditional version of this dish!   I also do a lot of it ahead of time to cut down on kitchen time when friends are with me.  

Shrimp & Grits
1/2 lb.  bacon, cooked and chopped
1 TBS of cognac
2 bunches of green onion, chopped
1/2 lb mushrooms, chopped
1 large clove of garlic, chopped
1 cup of chicken stock

1 lb shrimp, peeled
1/3 cup of Orange Juice

Quick cooking grits
1 cup extra sharp cheddar, shredded

Make ahead:  
Fry the bacon until it's extra crispy.  Towards end of cooking, add the cognac.  Remove bacon and put aside.  Saute onions, mushrooms & garlic in pan and once softened, add the chicken stock and bacon back in.   Let cool and store in container in the fridge until ready to put rest of meal together!    I also peel shrimp ahead of time and put in fridge. 

Dinner time: 
Cook grits according to directions and add cheddar cheese once done.  

Saute shrimp in OJ then add vegetable mixture once cooked through.  If you like a thicker consistency, add 1 tablespoon of flour.  

For plating, place grits down first and then top with Shrimp and sauce.  Garnish with chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon!  
Shrimp & Grits prep

Delicious Shrimp & Grits








Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Waterfall

Since the weather has warmed up, we continue to clear out the debris of winter to allow spring to fully arrive.  When my friend Terry was here with me for the week, we decided to clean out the area around our "waterfall" on the property.   It was hard work, but very gratifying.   We also planted a lot of wildflowers around it, so hopefully will have a follow up photo of that once they bloom!

Rolando digging out sediment to allow better flow

My friend Terry in the middle of it all

Waterfall

"Supervisors"


Can't wait for wildflowers to bloom! 

Friday, April 12, 2013

Full Bloom

I can safely say that in our neck of the woods, Spring has arrived... 

Lovely Daffodils
Forsythia commands a huge vase like the one I have on my island.


Pussy Willow and Forsythia make a beautiful spring arrangement