Shrimp and Clam Boil

Nothing better on a summer day then a fresh catch meal.  I looked through a few recipes for a few different boils and decided to use bits from a few and this is what came about.  Using some fresh jumbo shrimp and littleneck clams, kielbasa, fresh picked corn, potatoes, and a beer.

Recipe: (served 3)

About 15 jumbo shrimp

About 15 littleneck clams

Two ears of corn (or frozen)

On bottle/can of a lager beer

handful of colorful little potatoes (cut in half or quarters according to size)

1lb of smoked kielbasa (cut in one inch or so pieces)

1 tablesppon of old bay seasoning (more or less to taste)

pinch of cayenne pepper (more or less to taste)

salt and pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of water to boil with the bottle of beer, old bay seasoning, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper.  Put the potatoes and corn in the pot and boil about 10 minutes.  Next place the kielbasa in the pot and boil another 7-8 minutes.  Place the clams in and boil another 5 minutes, finally place the shrimp in the pot and boil until the shrimp is pink and potatoes and corn should be tender.  When serving add more seasoing (old bay, salt/pepper to taste) serve with toasted garlic bread.

1st Anniversary Gift

As my first wedding anniversary approached I was racking my brain for a gift idea that would stick to the paper theme. I had seen suggestions for photo albums, concert tickets, etc... However we just returned from a Caribbean cruise and we have concert tickets for the end if the summer. So I came up with the idea of a "date night idea book". I put together a binder with lots of different ideas for possible date nights. There are enough ideas to last for date once a week for a year. Ranging from silly nights at home to nights out on the town or full day trips. I found tons of ideas from the website http://www.thedatingdivas.com a wonderful resource for couples!

Very simply I found a nice binder to hold everything in...

Part of the collection included quiz books on how well you know your spouse good for a night in.  Also good for a nice in is the Lovers' Massage Book!  All found on Amazon.

 I added dividers so that I could group the ideas my sections were: A night out on the town, A night at home, I challenge you, Coupons, Advertisements (for me to place clippings from the paper etc..)

I am such the coupon clipper so this will help keep them organized when needed for a night out.

I hope this is helpful for a unique first anniversary "paper" gift.

For our anniversary we spent the day out east on Long Island, NY.  We drove out to Montauk Point, walked around the village, then made our way home stopping at a farmer's market in Amagansett, and stopping for a picnic at a winery or two in the Hamptons.  All in all is was a wonderful day with just the two of us! 

Scallop Po Boys

Scallop Po Boys

Joe and i have been trying to vary up our dinner to include more fish.  To eat a little healthier we have made a conscience decision to try and eat fish twice a week, chicken twice a week, a meatless meal at least once, and the last day can be anything.  Now I understand that the fried scallops on this sandwich are not necessarily healthy but we are just starting out, at least we stuck to the fish category!I have a big bag of frozen bay scallops I purchased at BJ's recently and was looking for something to do with them when I came across this recipe.  The sandwiches were fantastic.  I liked the spice from the hot sauce, and the scallops had a great flavor. 

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup light mayonnaise
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges, for serving
• 3/4 teaspoon paprika
• Hot sauce, to taste
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 1/4 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 pound bay scallops, patted dry
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil, such as safflower
• 4 hot dog buns
• 4 lettuce leaves

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, teaspoon paprika, and hot sauce; season with salt and pepper. Set spicy mayo aside.
2. In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, flour, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon paprika; season with salt and pepper. Add scallops, and toss to coat.
3. In a medium nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Working in two batches, fry scallops, tossing occasionally, until golden and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer scallops to a paper-towel-lined plate; season with salt.
4. Dividing evenly, spread inside of buns with spicy mayo. Top with a lettuce leaf, then scallops. Serve po boys immediately, with lemon wedges.

recipe source: http://www.marthastewart.com

Teacher Summer Gift

As the end of June is here many are thinking of gifts to give their children's teacher.  As a teacher myself I have gotten my fair share of wonderful gifts and some that hmmm I enjoy the thought that the student wanted to give me a gift but I have no use for.  So I thought I would share some ideas for teacher gifts. 

List of ideas for a teacher gift:

1. At the end of the year leading into a summer why not a wrap a towel with a tube of sunscreen and a magazine.
2. Gift cards are always useful and appreciated.
3. With so many budget cuts and supplies very limited for teachers, perhaps a basket or plastic bin filled with items to get started for September. (post-its, a box of pencils/pens, box of tissues, ream of paper etc..)
4. A recent idea I saw for a male teacher is a metal tub with some grilling tools, BBQ sauces, and a tag that read "For a teacher that was on fire this year"

5. Another food treat would be a box that contains ice cream toppings, cones, waffle bowls, sprinkles, etc... with a tag that read "wishing you a cool summer".

As with any gift it is the thought that counts. It doesn't have to be over the top or expensive.   I know a simple hand written letter or note from students is always appreciated as at times we do not always hear "Thank You".

I found some other interesting ideas on the following website:

Plum Adorable

http://www.plumadorable.com/ten-teacher-gift-ideas/   

Tilapia, Black Bean, Corn Foil Packet

As with most meals on a weeknight I want to make something that is easy, fast, and does not require a lot of ingredients.  I varied this recipe slightly from the original I came acorss, more so out of what I had on hand.  But this is a tasty recipe that cooks easliy in a foil packet, which also makes clean up simple!  The flavors of this tilapia dish blend well, orange zest and juice give it a nice fresh taste.  While the mixture of corn and beans make it a satisfying complete meal.

The recipe below will serve two people.  My husband and I were not extremely hungry this night so what was included in the packet was enough for our dinner. There was also some of the bean mixture leftover.  I would reduce that for next time for just the two of us.  We both do think that adding a little rice on the side would work well or a side salad.  Joe and I also thought rolling the fish and beans in a tortilla would also be delious or even a few slices of fresh avocado.  Don't mistake my suggestions that the meal was not good.   We often sit and discuss how we can improve a meal while we are eating, this meal is yummy on its own!

Recipe:

Foil-Baked Fish with Black Beans and Corn: This recipe is for four servings (I halved it for just the two of us)

• 4 skinless white fish fillets (6 to 8 oz each), 1-inch thick
• salt and pepper
• 4 Tbs unsalted butter, softened
• 2 tsp minced chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• 2 Tbs freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (16-oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 cups corn kernels
• 1/2 red onion, minced
• 2 scallions, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat to 450 degrees.

Pat the fish dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.  Using a fork, mix together the butter, 1 teaspoon chipotle, orange zest, half the garlic, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp pepper in a medium bowl until well-combined.  Spread butter mixture over the fish.

Combine the beans, corn, onion, scallions, 2 tablespoons of cilantro, orange juice, remaining chipotle, remaining garlic, scallions, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl.

Lay four 14-inch lengths of foil on the counter and divide the bean mixture evenly over the lower half of each piece of foil.  Top with fish, and fold the foil over the fish, folding the edges to seal.

Arrange the packets in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and bake until the fish is just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.  Carefully open the packets and sprinkle with remaining cilantro.  Serve.

Source:  America's Test Kitchen, The Best Simple Recipes

Grilled Veggie and Goat Cheese Sandwich

An easy summer healthy meal are grilled vegetable and goat cheese sandwiches. These came into my weekly line up out of a desire for my husband and I to eat at least one vegetarian meal a week. We live in an apartment with no yard space so using an outdoor grill is not an option for us. I have come to love my Lodge double burner grill pan. I simply marinated the veggies in balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and a few herbs. Threw them on the grill pan and cooked them only a few minutes.
Once grilled I toasted some whole wheat ciabatta bread with a little love oil and garlic. Next I combined some goat cheese with some seasonings and spread on the rolls. Topped with a mx of vegetables and enjoyed! And let me say the leftovers went great on a sun dried tomato and basil wrap for lunch today!

Recipe:
1 zucchini
2 portobello mushrooms
1 red bell pepper
A few sun dried tomatoes
Goat cheese
2 ciabatta rolls
Balsamic vinegar
Olive oil
Italian seasoning
Garlic powder
Onion powder


Chop vegetables lengthwise into half inch pieces. Toss into a gallon ziplock bag. Pour balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and seasonings into bag and toss gently to coat vegetables. Heat grill pan. Cook vegetable until they begin to show sear marks. Only a few minutes. Toast rolls with a little olive oil and garlic powder. Mix goat cheese with seasonings and spread on rolls. Top with grilled vegetables.

Vegetables are good hot or cold. I used leftovers in a wrap cold for my lunch the next day!

Refresher for a Hot Day

On a hot summer day there is not as refreshing as a cool glass of water. This blend adds a little flavor and rehydrates wonderfully.  

In a pitcher mix the following and refrigerate a few hours or overnight.
Water
1 lemon thinly sliced
mint leaves
1 teaspoon fresh ginger