Parrot Bay And Coconut Shrimp, OH MY!!!

These little babies are my favorite way to eat fried shrimp. They are just melt in your mouth F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C.  Closing your eyes (and mute the noise of running crumb snatcher aka children) and you would swear you were lounging in sun soaked Hawaii. What really makes this dish is the dipping sauce. I could just drink it, its that good, but paired with the coconut shrimp...its my heaven. They are crispy with the perfect sweetness...did I say they were heaven?

Parrot Bay Coconut Shrimp 

with Pina Colada Sauce

Pina Colada Dipping Sauce

1 cup sour cream

1/2 cup Pina Colada nonalcoholic drink mix

1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained)

1/4 cup sugar*

Shrimp

6 cups of  Vegetable oil (or as directed by deep fryer)

1 1/2 - 2 lbs of shrimp (40-48 shrimp peeled and deveined)

3 cups All Purpose Flour

2 1/2 Tablespoon sugar

1 Teaspoon salt

2 cups whole milk

1/4 cups Captain Morgans Parrot Bay Coconut Rum**

3 cups Panko (Japanese style) crumbs

2 cups coconut flakes

*Splenda can be used with same results

**Substituting 1/4 cups Pina Colada mix in place of Rum yields similar results

Heat fryer to 350 degrees or fill a large frying pan with enough oil to completely cover the shrimp (approx. 2 inches) and heat to medium high heat.

Prepare your dipping sauce by mixing sour cream, drink mix, pineapple and sugar. Let chill in the refrigerator while you are preparing your shrimp.

In a medium size bowl place 1 1/2 cups of flour and set aside.

In another medium size bowl mix remaining flour, sugar and salt. Then stir in your milk and let sit for 5 minutes. 

In a 3rd medium size bowl, combine panko crumbs and coconut flakes well. 

At this point you can butterfly your shrimp by slicing through the top where you removed the vein (our family prefers not too).

Batter your shrimp by covering with dry flour, then dipping into your wet batter, and then lastly rolling firmly in the coconut/panko mixture. 

Fry shrimp a few at a time to prevent burning (6-8 shrimp). Remove when they turn golden brown. Drain on a wire rack. Serve with chilled Pina Colada dipping sauce. 

Merry Christmas

Last post before I go crazy finishing the final touches before tonight. I still have wrapping to do and some re wrapping (thanks crumb snatchers), Christmas mouse prep, and the mountain of food to get ready. Everything is complete except the Ham, green bean casserole, rolls, and mom is working on the potato salad as we speak. Sometime today I have to take a tray to my dads who is under the weather and not up to joining us tonight. I still need to mop and do a fly by dusting. 

I am in such a joyous mood. This has been one of the best Christmas seasons here at my house. So many memories made, laughter and smiles...we are truly blessed. 

I also want to extend a thanks to my friend Heather over at Home Ec 101. She helped me out of a fast pinch this morning when I found I was completely out of sweetened condensed milk that I so very desperately needed for the Chocolate cream pie. You rock mama...Thanks a million. 

Also above is a little chocolate porn for my friend Stephanie over at A close Knit Family and my other girls both Summer, August, ASD/PDNOS/GDD and October. I have enjoyed you being apart of my life this past year. You've been there for advice, humor, encouragement and support. Next, to one of my best friends online and IRL, Rachel over at Sweet Angel Memories. Thanks for being you...enough said. And to my new twin Leslie. I swear we were separated at birth (other than religious beliefs) which we so smartly detour from.You've not only helped validate my views but given me some great new recipes. To Kim...thanks for helping me find my way to being a better wife and mother and the knowledge of my roles in the home.  Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas..I love you ladies. 

Menu Monday

I'm a little late on this. Been a long day of errands. Would have probably only taken me no more than an hour or so on a normal day but with the kids out for Christmas break, I had a little more to tow. Not that we didn't make it fun. Or I should say as fun as we could. My errands weren't so interesting. First the day started with me feeding the kids and quickly heading out. I made sure to take all my medication before, but I forgot to feed myself. On the way to the Post office to get my refund from a stamp machine thief, I got the shakes, cold legs and fuzzy head...insulin injections and no breakfast or lunch doesn't really sit well on the body. You would think after YEARS and YEARS this would be embedded in my brain. With no glucose tabs or candy, I made a B-line for Burger King. Not the most healthy choice or the fastest, but it got the job done. Anyway, the rest of the day was about the same...I ventured into Walmart of all places to pick up prescriptions and few groceries. I really think I've lost my mind to even go near that place this week. By the time we arrived home this afternoon I was in NO mood to cook. Thank gosh I was smart enough to throw a sirloin roast in the crock pot this morning. So the house smelled wonderful and dinner was done when I walked through the door. Gotta love crock pots. 

Monday- Sirloin roast, egg noodles with Au ju gravy, and peas

Tuesday- Vegetable beef stew and grilled cheese

Wednesday- Annual Christmas Eve party

• Ham
• Smoked Turkey
• Green Bean Casserole
• Baked Mac & cheese
• 7 layer salad
• Potato Salad
• Chocolate pie
• Pecan pie
• Pumpkin pie
• Chocolate peanut butter balls
• Truffles
• Various Cookies/Candies
• Sausage balls
• Artichoke and spinach dip
• Stuffed mushrooms
• Mini Brie pizzas
• Spiced Pecans
• Various items brought by friends
• The wine will flow
  

Thursday- Breakfast Morning Casserole, then Christmas lunch with the in-laws

Friday- C.O.R.N (Clean out refrig night)

Saturday- Leftovers again

Sunday- Take out (My pick this week...most likely Mexican)

Menu Monday

• Monday- Waffles, sausage links, and fruit salad
• Tuesday- Smothered pork chops, asparagus bundles, and wild rice
• Wednesday- Sunday school Christmas party (lots of goodies)
• Thursday- Chicken Alfredo with broccoli and mushrooms, garlic bread, and salad
• Friday- C.O.R.N (clean out refrig night) for the kids, date night for parents (yay me)
• Saturday- Make your own PIZZA night and salad
• Sunday- Pulled pork Carolina style, slaw, and baked beans

Love at first bite...

Truffles are another holiday favorite here. This is one I have yet let the kids help with. Well, for one they are for a Christmas party, and two, I always make a big enough mess by myself creating these. All are filled with chocolate ganache either dipped in dark, milk, and white chocolate or a mixture. I prefer to coat mine with a thin layer of tempered chocolate than rolling in coco powder, but they are fabulous either way. These little babies are so easy, yet look like you spent hours creating them. Honestly, the biggest challenge is trying not to dive into the bowl head first and eating your way to the surface.  Recipe

Menu Monday

This weeks menu is basically request from my family, mainly from Mr. Kendra himself. Most of the time he doesn't care since he inhales most of my dishes with a vengeance...but every now and again he turns into Mr. Ubber Foodie and makes "wish list". As long as budget allows I'm happy to comply.

• Monday-Chicken, steak & shrimp fajitas and rice
• Tuesday-Stroganoff over egg noodles & salad
• Wednesday- Grilled rib-eye steaks, broccoli, and parmesan noodles
• Thursday-C.O.R.N (clean out refrigerator night)
• Friday- Make your own pizza night with salad
• Saturday-Make your own subs with tomato and basil salad (kids pick)
• Sunday- Pot roast, with roasted mushrooms, onions, carrots, celery, paired with garlic mashed potatoes and yeast rolls

Menu Monday

This week will be a little lighter since we all are dragging from such rich fair at Thanksgiving. Plus, with planning Christmas dinner, I want to keep my time in the kitchen and budget low.

• Monday-Meatloaf, creamed potatoes and green beans
• Tuesday- Oven baked ranch chicken tenders and broccoli rice casserole
• Wednesday-Black bean and pineapple quesadillas
• Thursday-Grilled steak and Cesar salad
• Friday- Homemade pizza and left over salad
• Saturday- Take out (kids pick)
• Sunday- Salisbury steak, wild rice, peas with pearl onion, honey butter yeast rolls

Thanksgiving goodies

Thanksgiving smells are in the air. I sometimes feel the day before Turkey day is more hectic. I usually spend the day prepping and running around making pies, cranberries sauce and anything else that can help jump start my day. Being a family of 5 and the added guest makes for a large menu. Like any other family we have our standard holiday recipes. Those special recipes that send anything with a beating heart running into the kitchen with a watering mouth. Stuffed mushrooms happen to be one that my family adores. If I forget these I would find myself out in the cold. Thank gosh they are easy to produce in mass quantities and one that can be made a day ahead.

I also decided to let the kids help out this year. I pretty much gave them free range in the kitchen to make their favorite pies. I decided to keep the desserts simple this year. Two pumpkin, two pecan, and German Chocolate cake. Ryan of course wanted to make a pumpkin and Hannah a pecan. Hannah actually did each step herself with me just calling out measurements and directions. Isn't it a beautiful first pie? Especially for a 6 year old. Ryan, did well too! I helped him more since he is still learning measurements. He did a wonderful job. He got a little fork happy with the crust but still...if it taste as well as it smells I know what I'm having tomorrow!

Menu Monday

In lou of life changes and part of that is new routines and self help rules to make my days/weeks go by smoother, I've decided to post a little something each day. My girls over at Home Ec 101 are wonderful about making and helping with weekly menus. This is something I plan to keep up with as well.

• Monday- Taco soup
• Tuesday- Rubens and home fries
• Wednesday- C.O.R.N (clean out refrig night)
• Thursday- TURKEY DAY
• Friday- Left overs
• Saturday- Take out (kids pick)
• Sunday- Breakfast night (waffles, bacon and fruit salad)

This is all if plans stay the same. My father is due back in Asheville Wednesday morning. Depending how his health, he may or may not be in surgery that afternoon. If so, Thanksgiving will be delayed until the weekend.

That Bad Bird...

There is just something uplifting in comfort foods. Every now and again, I have to break free from my "no fry" rule and just turn to the dark side. And if you're going to be bad...be very bad and just go for the gold. Yes, I know my thighs are screaming NOOOO as the Crisco pops and bubbles...but oh well...an extra lap will placate them along with the salad we will be having tomorrow.