Tuesday, December 28, 2010

#22: Make 10 New Recipes

The Hubs and I decided that we needed to try new foods and flavors. So I suggested we try recipes from different areas of the world. We decided to start with Asia and had Asian Week. I made 2 recipes based off of that idea.


Recipe 1

Pan Seared Shrimp with Soba noodles and Broccoli

Ingredients:

For the Shrimp
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I used EVOO)
  • 1 1/2 pounds of shrimp (21/25 count), peeled and deveined
  • 1/4 teaspoon table salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper flakes
  • 1/8 teaspoon granulated sugar
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons soy sauce
  • 2 teaspoons fresh grated ginger
  • 2 teaspoons water
  • 2 scallions, sliced thin
8-12 ounces of Soba noodles, cooked and drained
2 cups of broccoli

Directions:
  1. Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl and mix well. (Double if pairing with noodles)
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over high heat until smoking. Meanwhile, toss shrimp, salt, red pepper, and sugar together in a bowl. Add half the shrimp to pan in single layer and cook until spotty brown and edges turn pink, about 1 minute. Remove pan from heat; Using tongs, flip shrimp and toss until all but very center of shrimp is opaque, about 30 seconds. Transfer shrimp to large plate. Repeat with remaining oil and shrimp. After second batch has stood off heat, return first batch to skillet along with sauce mixture and toss to combine. Cover skillet and let stand until shrimp are cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes.
  3. Add cooked soba noodles and broccoli along with remaining sauce. Toss to combine, then serve.
Verdict:

We absolutely loved this recipe. The flavor was wonderful. On top of that it was exceptionally easy to make. Plus these are ingredients we usually have in the house. Definitely getting added to the recipe rotation.

Recipe 2

Kung Pao Shrimp
source Men's Health Magazine

Ingredients:
  • 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 5 small dried chillies or 1 teaspoon red chili flakes (I only used 1/2 tsp., but I don't like it too hot)
  • 6 scallions chopped, save the greens for garnish
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
  • 1 large red pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 pound medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1/2 cup roasted, unsalted peanuts. plus more chopped for garnish
Directions:
  1. Combine soy sauce, orange juice, vinegar, cornstarch, and sugar in bowl. Set aside.
  2. Place a wok or large pan over high heat and add oil. When oil is lightly smoking, toss in chillies, scallion whites, garlic, and ginger.
  3. Stir-fry for 30 seconds, until fragrant, but not browned or burnt. Add bell peppers and cook for another minute, stirring constantly with spatula. Then add shrimp and peanuts, and cook until shrimp turns pink, about 3 minutes.
  4. Stir in the sauce and cook just long enough for it to thicken and form a light sheen around shrimp and vegetables, about 30 seconds.
  5. Serve over a scoop of brown rice, sprinkled with chopped scallion tops and peanuts.
Verdict:

Another yummy dish. This one was selected by the Hubs and we both loved it. Very easy to make and we love the flavors. Also uses ingredients we have in the house regularly. I did add some (did not measure) hoisin sauce because we like the sweeter flavor.

Monday, December 27, 2010

#27: Read 50 Non-Crime Books


Room by Emma Donoghue


To 5-year-old Jack, Room is his entire world. It is all he knows. Any more than that gives the book away, but think Jaycee Dugard. This book was really good. I will admit the first 60 pages were a little hard to get through, but after that I could not put it down. It was just a little hard reading the book from the perspective of a 5-year-old. But actually that makes the book what it is. I highly recommend.

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Tons of 101 in 1001 Updates

Completed

22. I have completed and exceeded making 10 new recipes. And can I tell you the Hubs and I love both of these recipes and I have made them a couple of times. Blog posts on both to follow.

29. I FINISHED GRAD SCHOOL. I am so excited about this. It is really a huge accomplishment for me. And I did really well in the program. Now I just have to focus on finding a job career related to my field. I am working on that.

46. I (We) sent Christmas cards this year. They were made by my wonderful "sister-in-law". We have gotten so many compliments on them. You can check out her wonderful creations on her blog The Life of Me. You will not be disappointed. She is fabulous.

88. I bought a pair of boots that I love. I have been searching and searching for a pair of tall boots that could actually fit my thick legs. Well I finally found some on Shoes.com. They were not crazy expensive, but they are what I really wanted. And on top of that they were 15% off, with free shipping, AND i got a 12% rebate from MrRebates.com. I am in love.

92. I did Karaoke. My family has HUGE Christmases. The past two years our entertainment has been karaoke. I rocked out to So What by Pink with 2 of my cousins and my 2-year-old goddaughter. And yes she thinks she knows the words. It was so fun.

Working On

27. I read another non-crime related book and it was wonderful. I could not put it down. Separate post to follow.

30. I watched the documentary King Corn with the companion piece Big River. Wow. More to come on this too.

31. Now that I have finished school, I am working on learning all the countries in Africa and being able to accurately label them on a map.

And that is what I have been doing.






 
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