Add a Little Spice to Your Love Life – Dinner Date on the Deck

 

If presentation is half the grade I’ll surely lose points for my drinking jar with blue plastic “ice cubes” but what’s a very thirsty, very pregnant lady to do?

 

My husband and I are foodies.  More accurately I suppose, am a foodie and he is along for the ride!  I love to cook, he loves to eat and when we were dating and engaged (all long distance with many hours over the phone) my mother would often say “I’ve never heard anyone talk about food as much as you two!”  The past 18 months have been an extra adventure with food because we’ve been “going gazelle” a-la Dave Ramsey in order to get out of debt.  As a result, we have some of our dinner dates at home.  Our most recent favourite is my featured recipe today.  Spicy Shrimp with Caesar Salad.

Yummy, yummy – Fresh, crisp Romaine tossed with garlicky Caesar dressing. We left out the Bacon bits as this was a Friday night date.

Caesar Dressing

2 cloves garlic, mashed
2 ½ anchovy fillets (optional)
1 tsp dried mustard
1 ½ Tbsp Red wine vinegar
1 coddled egg yolk
1 Tbsp lemon juice (½ a lemon)
4 Tbsp Olive Oil (or less)

Mix everything but the oil in the blender.  Once it’s smooth, slowly incorporate the oil until the mixture thickens to a mayonnaise consistency.  Mixture will be thicker or thinner depending on your blender.  Add salt if you do not use anchovies or use capers instead.


Shrimp

1 Tbsp Chili garlic sauce
1 large clove garlic
Juice of half a lemon
2 tsp cumin
S&P
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
Blend and marinate 1-2 lbs shrimp, raw & peeled

Put on skewers and grill 1-2 minutes per side (depending on size of shrimp).  We used 26/30 shrimp per lb and about 90 seconds on each side on a very hot grill.  Another option would be to toss all the shrimp and marinade into a foil pocket and grill, flipping once for a total of about 5-8 minutes.

Doesn’t he looked like a man with a pleasantly filled belly?

Salad

1-2 heads Romaine lettuce, washed and sliced or torn
½ bag croutons
Fresh parmesan cheese
Caesar dressing
Spicy grilled shrimp

Wash and dry the lettuce.  Toss it with dressing.   Add the cheese and croutons (you can toss them or leave them on top for presentation when you serve).  Serve the shrimp on skewers or loosely piled on a plate.  Most of all, enjoy.  We certainly did!Dinner on the Deck was followed by dessert – fresh churned ice cream from a local creamery.  Delicious!

Cranberry Bog on the left – Creamy ice cream with Craisins, chocolate chunks and walnut pieces. Mocha Peanut Butter Cup on the right – it’s all in the name!

 

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