Hot Boil!

Happy Labor Day Weeekend!  It sure was a beautiful night in Tiger Stadium!

     I love being around family and friends.  LSU football kicked off this weekend and I was blessed to catch a ride with my friends Scott and Dayna.  LSU won and the weekend tailgate went really well!  I was even able to meet one of my Puerto Rican cousins who pitches for Southern University.  Always great seeing my Louisiana peeps!

     On the ride back, we stopped in West Lake to pick up some shrimp from one of Scott's relatives.  If ever given the opportunity to buy fresh shrimp, DO IT!  I bought 10 pounds to boil for the holiday despite being a little tired from the weekend.  It was worth it!

First you need the set up: Propane burner and pot large enough to house potatoes, onions, garlic, mushrooms, lemons, corn, sausage, shrimp, and whatever other stuff you deem fit.  I usually add artichokes, soy beans, and asparagus. And will sometimes boil a ham. Get creative.

Fill your pot a little less than 3/4 full of water.  Add the appropriate amount of shrimp boil and seasonings.  Add potatoes, onions, garlic, artichoke, lemons, and mushrooms .  Bring to a boil for 20 minutes.  

Add your shrimp to the pot.  Boil for 3 minutes.  Cut off fire and add corn, sausage, soy beans, and asparagus.  Let soak for at least 20 minutes.   Pull them out and spread them on a table for all to enjoy.  Pinch em, peel em, and eat em!

Happy Plates!

Noodle Nite

For those of you who are unaware, I am full-time Associate Director of Youth Ministry in Katy, Texas.  On Wednesday nights, our youth gather for an evening of food, fun, and reflection.  Each week is themed with something to hopefully draw intrigue to other students who might want to join.  Here is our flyer of the theme nights.

Last Night, we celebrated Noodle Nite.  We made some homemade meatballs and spaghetti (although the sauce was out of the can (I got lazy)).  Meatballs are easy to make but can be a little time consuming.  I prefer homemade because then I know what goes in them.  The freezer stuff  you can buy from Sam's Club are okay, but I like fresh stuff better.  

Here's what we did.  Take out your ground beef and put it in something large enough to mix it.  Add eggs, bread crumbs, parsley, salt pepper, and garlic.  Mix it up right.  

Using an ice cream scoop, scoop the meat into balls and place them on a baking tray.  6 pounds of meat made about 75 large meatballs.  Bake in the oven at 400 degrees for 15 minutes or until cooked all the way through.  

yum, right? haha

Once they are finished, put them in your spaghetti sauce.  Let them simmer for another 20-25 minutes.  Serve over noodles.  duh.

I started eating then remembered I needed a picture.  The kids loved it.  I loved it.  Happy Plates.  BOOM!

Shrimpy Isaac

I can only imagine how the shrimp handles the hurricane.  As humans, we can be hard-headed and reluctant to evacuate from the path of danger.  I hope everyone in the storms path is hunkered down and prepared for soon-to-be "Hurricane" Isaac.

A while back I took a week off work and had the opportunity to go down to the gulf for a day with my friend Alyssa.  I attempted to fish but we spent most of the day hanging out and enjoying the breeze.  One the way back we picked up some fresh gulf shrimp to grill up. (I owe her some!)

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Shrimp.

large gulf shrimp

the mix of stuff

wrap them in love

put them on skewers

put em on the fire and slap dat sauce on dem

On the side, salad with blue cheese dressing, fruit salad with homegrown cantaloupes, and artisan bread from Kroger (whole garlic gloves)

Happy Plates.  

And may you be safe from the storm!

What happens in the oven...

     My blog is by no means sponsored by Kroger; however, I find myself realizing how nice of a store it is when i cook on a regular basis (Mostly because it is close to home).  Last night I cooked a pizza on bread.  Really simple.  Here is a picture walk through so you don't have to read me talk about nothing.  Put it in the oven at 500 degrees for about 15 minutes (But be sure to check it often).

Happy Plates!