Shrimp Boil

Why wait for warm weather and picnic tables to enjoy a shrimp boil with friends and family?

I had been anxiously waiting for Shrimp Boil day since the day we made up the menu calendar 2 weeks ago! :)

It's so simple and yet so delicious.

You could even serve it with some Homemade Cocktail Sauce. :)

Shrimp Boil

What's In It*:
2 lb raw, unpeeled shrimp
10 mini ears of corn on the cob
12 small red potatoes
1 T Old Bay Seasoning
2 T Old Bay Seasoning (plus more for garnish)

What To Do With It:
Sprinkle shrimp with 1 T Old Bay Seasoning and refrigerate covered for at least an hour (I left mine in the fridge all day).
Bring a water to a boil in a very large pot.
Add potatoes and boil until just tender - mine took about 30 minutes.
Add corn and boil for about 3 minutes less than recommended**.
Add shrimp and boil for 1-2 minutes or until pink.

Strain (or scoop out of the pot with a long handled mesh strainer).
Serve on the table itself or in a dish.  
Sprinkle with Old Bay Seasoning for garnish.

*All of the amounts are very flexible, just adjust your water volume and seasoning level as necessary.
**I have decided that I am incapable of boiling corn without it turning into terrible mushy mush.  So, I season it and then cook in the microwave or oven and then add at the table.

Homemade Cocktail Sauce

The day I purchased the horseradish for the Challenge recipe, I also picked up some shrimp.  Both popcorn, for a quick fix, and some raw for a Shrimp Boil.  I knew I'd be making this cocktail sauce with the prepared horseradish and I wanted to have some shrimp on hand!

I am so glad that I did - this stuff is great!  It has an even better texture than making homemade using the store bought horseradish, but don't think you have to use homemade - I've been making it with store bought for years and it is 100x better than commercially prepared Cocktail Sauce!

Give it a go - it's super easy and so worth it!

Homemade Cocktail Sauce

What's In It:
1 c ketchup
1/2 t lemon pepper
1/2 t onion powder
1/2 t garlic powder
2 T horseradish
1 t Worcestershire sauce

What To Do With It:
Whisk together until combined.  Chill.

Prepared Horseradish - Challenge 2013 Recipe #12

Hello.....my name is Melissa.....I love horseradish.

There, I said it.  Admitting you have a problem is half the battle, right? :)

I love cocktail sauce, horseradish mustard, I love horsey sauce - straight, in stir fry's, on bbq, on hotdogs....I have a problem.  :)

I had never even thought of making it myself.  I figured there had to be something tricky to it....I mean they sell it in those little jars like it's gold right?

Nope.  I peeled it, chopped it, whirred it in my ninja, added some vinegar, and BAM!

Now I have all the excuses in the world to make all kinds of horsey dishes....right?   Like some Homemade Cocktail Sauce?  You bet'cha!

DIY Test Kitchen Prepared Horseradish

Worcestershire Sauce - Challenge 2013 Recipe #11

It's official - I am a Worcestershire sauce snob.

I will never buy store bought again.

This picture is boring, I know.  I could not think of a way to take a cute picture of this.....don't let my creative mind block stop you from trying this!  It's super easy and so good!

DIY Test Kitchen Worcestershire Sauce

Brigadeiros - Challenge 2013 Recipe #10

Until yesterday, I had never eaten Brigadeiros - in fact, until I looked through my DIY Test Kitchen cookbook for the first time, I'd never even heard of Brigadeiros.  I must admit, I feel quite cheated that I have been missing out on these!

The cookbook mentions that people liken them to tootsie rolls....I don't agree.  I think they taste like brownie batter, but with a texture of warm fudge.

These things are fantastic and do you know what is even better....they are so easy to make!  Seriously, three ingredients, if you can work a can opener and stir, you can make these! :)

Make these.....WOW!

DIY Test Kitchen Brigadeiros  

The link takes you directly to the recipe.  

Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies - Challenge 2013 Recipe #9

This might have nothing to do with anything any of you care about, but do you know the BATTLE I have had to wage to get my daughter into girl scouts at the last two places we have lived?  It has taken months of phone calls, emails, voice-mails (some of which I must admit I started to lose my manners during), I even showed up at the office.  And after all of that, she is currently on a waiting list with 500?! other girls to get into a troop. :(

It is ridiculous!  I can tell you one thing, if I hadn't had the world's greatest girl scout leader when I was in scouts, I would not be trying this hard - I want Ze-Ra to have what I had, while she still wants it.  She has had a few good years and made some AMAZING memories at camp - one year she went for 5 weeks of overnight camp (did I tell you the one time I went to the overnight camp, I cried so hard my parents had to come get me after less than 24 hours?! - Who knew that this "I'm going to move to New York when I grow up" girl is really just a big momma's girl and now all she wants is to live a farm across a pasture from my parents with some chickens, cows, and goats with about 10 kids running around?!?!?!)

Whew - okay....back to the point.  Girl Scout Cookies.  Specifically Do-Si-Do's.....I can, and have, eaten an entire box in one day.  Oh one or two here....a few more with lunch, etc.  You know the drill.  But $4 a box and Ze-Ra isn't in scouts right now and I haven't tracked one down to buy cookies from.....so next best thing (actually better) - MAKE YOUR OWN!

WOW!  I mean they are a little bigger than I'd like, so I'm going to play with the size, but the taste is spot on....in fact, even a little better if I do say so myself. :)

DIY Test Kitchen Peanut Butter Sandwich Cookies

The link takes to you the recipe, it is free, but you do have to sign up for it. 

Coffee Liqueur - Challenge 2013 Recipe #8

Did you know that Coffee Liqueur is super easy to make?

Did you know that homemade blows any store bought out of the water? (surprise, surprise!)

What if I poured a shot into a prepared glass of Hot Cocoa?

I've poured us a couple of shots to drink while we make a batch for your house. :)

DIY Test Kitchen Coffee Liqueur

America's test kitchen does not have the recipe posted, but the link takes you to a site that has the recipe posted.