Coconut Shrimp Summer Rolls

Ingredients

For Dipping Sauce

• 5 ounces apricot jam
• 1/4 cup crushed pineapple
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

For Coleslaw

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped scallion
• 1/2 cup cilantro
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup chopped green cabbage
• 1 1/2 cups chopped purple cabbage

For Coconut Shrimp

• 12 shrimp
• 3 ounces beer
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 ounces coconut flakes
• 6 sheets rice paper

Directions

1. To Make Dipping Sauce:.
2. In a bowl, combine apricot jelly, crushed pineapple, apple cider vinegar and red pepper flakes.
3. To Make Coleslaw:.
4. In a food processor, add water, olive oil, scallions, cilantro, garlic, salt and lime juice. Pulse until combined.
5. Then add sour cream and pulse again.
6. In a bowl, add chopped green and purple cabbage.
7. Drizzle olive oil mixture over the cabbage and mix well.
8. To Make Coconut Shrimp:.
9. In a bowl, whisk beer, egg, milk, flour, baking powder, and salt.
10. Dip peeled, headless shrimp in the batter.
11. Then coat with coconut flakes.
12. Fry the breaded shrimp in hot oil until the coconut flakes are golden bown.
13. Place shrimp on a drying rack over a sheet tray to allow the excess oil to drip off. Let cool.
14. Assembling the Roll:.
15. On a sheet of moistened rice paper, place a scoop of coleslaw in the middle, edge of the paper (think of it as about 1/3 in from the edge). Then roll and fold until the top of the coleslaw is covered by the rice paper.
16. After the shrimp cools down and excess oil drips off onto the rack, place two shrimp on the roll and continue to wrap until the shrimp is sealed well.
17. Slice in half and serve with the dipping sauce.

Raspberry and Cream Frozen Yogurt Pie

Ingredients

CRUST

• 7 chocolate graham crackers
• 1/4 cup sugar substitute
• 3 -4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

FILLING

• 8 ounces fat free cream cheese
• 6 ounces raspberry low-fat yogurt
• 1/3 cup sugar substitute
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 12 ounces fat-free whipped topping, thawed
• 1 cup fresh raspberry (optional)

Directions

1. Coat 9 inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
2. Place graham crackers in plastic bag; crush into fine crumbs with rolling pin.
3. Mix crumbs and 1/4 cup sugar substitute in small bowl.
4. Stir in butter until crumbs are moistened.
5. Press crumb crust into bottom and slightly up side of prepared pie plate.
6. Refrigerate while making filling.
7. FILLING:.
8. Beat cream cheese yogurt, 1/3 cup sugar substitute and vanilla in bowl of electric mixer until combined.
9. Add whipped topping; mix until just combined.
10. Spoon filling into crust and spread to edges.
11. Freese at least 4 hours or until frozen.

12. Remove from freezer about 20 to 30 minutes before cutting into slices.
13. Garnish with raspberries, if desired.

ZUCCHINI BREAD

3 eggs
1 cup vegetable or peanut oil
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups grated raw zucchini
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
3 cups all purpose flour (unsifted)
1 cup chopped walnuts, peanuts, or pecans

 

Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 3 quart baking pan or 2 loaf pans.

In a mixing bowl, beat eggs until they become foamy. While still beating, gradually add oil, then sugar. Stop mixer occasionally to scrape down sides and bottom of bowl.

Mix in cinnamon, salt and zucchini (no need to peel the zucchini unless they are very large and the skins are tough; remove any seeds and discard). We use a food processor to grate the zucchini using either the coarse grating disc or the fine julienne.

Stir together flour, baking soda and baking powder until well mixed. Add to mixing bowl. Add nuts and stir only until combined.

Pour batter into prepared pan (s). Bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean and cake starts to leave the sides of the pan.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Using a butter knife, loosen edges from pan, remove bread and cool on wire rack.

For best keeping, wrap when cool and refrigerate.

Zucchini bread can be served as is, or spoon vanilla ice cream or cinnamon rum flavored whipped cream over the top. Or spread with softened whipped cream cheese and chopped dates.

45 Uses for Vinegar

1. Freshen up the fridge. Clean the shelves and walls with a solution of half water and half vinegar.

2. Brighten coffee cups and teacups. Gently scrub stains with equal parts vinegar and salt (or baking soda).

3. Eliminate odors. Swab plastic containers with a cloth dampened with vinegar.

4. Kill bathroom germs. Spray full-strength vinegar around the sink and tub. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

5. Save a garment. To remove light scorch marks on fabrics, rub gently with vinegar. Wipe with a clean cloth. This technique also works on antiperspirant stains.

6. Tidy up a toilet. Pour a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar into the bowl. Let sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with a toilet brush and flush.

7. Lose the carpet stain. Make a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and ¼ cup salt or baking soda. Rub into the stain and let dry. Vacuum the residue the next day. (Always test an out-of-sight part of the carpet first.)

8. Renew paint brushes. To remove old paint, place brushes in a pot with vinegar. Soak for an hour, then turn on the stove and bring the vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

9. Wipe off a dirty faucet. To get rid of lime buildup, make a paste of 1 teaspoon vinegar and 2 tablespoons salt. Apply to sink fixtures and rub with a cloth.

10. Stop static cling. Add ½ cup of white distilled vinegar to your wash cycle. The acid reduces static and keeps dryer lint from sticking to your clothes.

11. Make old socks look new. Get the stains out of old socks and sweaty gym clothes by soaking them in a vinegar solution. Add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring to a boil and drop in the stained clothes. Let them soak overnight, and in the morning stained clothes are fresh and bright.

12. Restore handbags and shoes. Wipe white distilled vinegar on scuffed leather bags and shoes. It will restore their shine and help hide the marks.

13. Banish weeds. Pour white distilled vinegar on the weeds growing in the cracks of your walkway and driveway. Saturate the plant so the vinegar reaches the roots.

14. Liven droopy flowers. Don’t throw out cut flowers once they start to wilt. Instead, add two tablespoons of white vinegar and one teaspoon of sugar to a quart of water. Pour the solution into your vase, and the flowers will perk up.

15. Put an end to itching. Dab a cotton ball soaked in white vinegar on mosquito bites and insect stings. It will stop them from itching and help disinfect the area so they heal faster.

16. Whiten your teeth. Brush your teeth once a week with white distilled vinegar. Dip your toothbrush into the vinegar and brush thoroughly. It will help prevent bad breath, too.

17. Make nail polish last longer. Before you apply your favorite polish, wipe your nails with a cotton ball soaked in white distilled vinegar. The clean surface will help your manicure last.

18. Keep car windows frost-free. Prevent windows from frosting over in a storm by coating them with a solution of three parts white distilled vinegar to one part water. The acidity hinders ice, so you won’t have to wake up early to scrape off your car.

19. Let your dog shine. Spray your dog with one cup white distilled vinegar mixed with one quart water. The solution is a cheap alternative to expensive pet-care products, plus the vinegar will help repel pests like fleas and ticks.

20. Battle litter-box odor. Cat litter can leave behind an unwelcome smell. Eliminate it by pouring a half-inch of white distilled vinegar into the empty litter box. Let stand for 20 minutes, then rinse with cold water.

21. Kill bacteria in meat. Marinating in vinegar knocks out bacteria and tenderizes the meat. Create a marinade by adding ¼ cup balsamic vinegar for every 2 pounds of meat to your own blend of herbs and spices. Let the meat sit anywhere from 20 minutes to 24 hours, depending on how strong you want the flavor, then cook it in the morning without rinsing.

22. Prevent cracked eggs. Prevent eggs from cracking as they hard-boil by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar to the water. The eggs will stay intact, and the shells will peel off more easily when you’re ready to eat them.

23. Steam away a microwave mess. Fill a small bowl with equal parts hot water and vinegar, and place it in the microwave on high for 5 minutes. As the steam fills the microwave, it loosens the mess, making clean up a breeze.

24. Repair DVDs. If you have a worn DVD that skips or freezes, wipe it down with white distilled vinegar applied to a soft cloth. Make sure the DVD is completely dry before reinserting it into the player.

25. Get those last drops. If you can’t get that final bit of mayonnaise or salad dressing out of the jar, dribble in a few drops of vinegar. Put the cap on tightly and shake. The remaining condiments will slide out.

26. Rinse fruits and vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar to one pint water. Use the mixture to wash fresh fruits and vegetables, then rinse thoroughly. The solution kills more pesticide residue than does pure water.

27. Brighter Easter eggs. Before your kids dye Easter eggs, mix 1 teaspoon of vinegar with ½ cup of hot water, then add food coloring. The vinegar keeps the dye bright and prevents the color from streaking.

28. Loosen a rusted screw. Pour vinegar onto the screw, and it will easily unstick.

29. Remove gum. To remove gum from fabric or hair, heat a small bowl of vinegar in the microwave. Pour the warm vinegar over the gum, saturating the area. The gum will dissolve.

30. Keep cheese from molding. Wrap cheese in a vinegar-soaked cloth, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate.

31. Renew a loofah. Soak your loofah in equal parts vinegar and water for 24 hours to dissolve soap residue, then rinse in cold water.

32. Remove wax. If you get melted candle wax on your wood furniture or floors, gently wipe it away with a cloth soaked in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.

33. Take a relaxing bath. Add ½ cup of vinegar to warm bath water for a cheap spa session at home. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving you feeling soft and smooth.

34. Brighten your hair. Remove hair product buildup by rinsing a tablespoon of vinegar through your hair once a month.

35. Freshen fabrics. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar and spritz your home to neutralize odors in fabrics, carpets, shoes or any sprayable surface.

36. Erase crayon. If your kids get crayon marks on the walls or floor, dip a toothbrush in white vinegar and gently scrub. The vinegar breaks down the wax, making for an inexpensive, nontoxic way to clean up after children.

37. Sticky stickers. Don’t scratch at the residue left by stickers or price tags. Instead, apply vinegar to the gunk, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the glue away.

38. Clean the dishwasher and coffee pot. Reduce soap buildup and food residue by pouring a cup of vinegar into your empty dishwasher or coffee pot once a month and letting it run a full cycle.

39. Sanitize pet accidents. You can remove the stain―and smell―of your pet’s accident by mixing ¼ cup vinegar with a quart of water and blotting the mixture onto the mess with a washcloth. Continue dabbing until the spot is gone.

40. Prep for summer grilling. To remove charcoal buildup from your grill, spray white distilled vinegar on balled up aluminum foil and scrub the grate thoroughly.

41. Restore shower head pressure. If your shower head gets clogged with mineral deposits, soak it for 15 minutes in a mixture of ½ cup vinegar and 1 quart water.

42. Clean your scissors. When your scissor blades get sticky, wipe them down with a cloth dipped in full-strength white vinegar. Unlike soap and water, vinegar won’t ruin the blades or rust the metal.

43. Unclog drains. For a natural, nontoxic way to clean clogged pipes, pour one cup of baking soda, followed by one cup of white vinegar, down the drain. Let the products bubble and foam, then flush the pipes with a pot of boiling water.

44. Eliminate dandruff. If your scalp is feeling dry or flaky, vinegar can be a simple at-home remedy. Once a week, pour one cup of apple cider vinegar over your scalp, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.

45. Soften your feet. Summer sandals leaving you with cracked heals and calluses? Soak your feet for 20 minutes a day in one part vinegar to two parts warm water. The vinegar removes dead skin, leaving your feet soft and smooth.(Many people need help maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Cookies-and-Milk Cheesecake Brownie Bars

• Brownie Base

  • 1box (1 lb 2.3 oz) fudge brownie mix
  • 1/2cup vegetable oil
  • 3tablespoons water
  • 2eggs

• Cheesecake Layer

  • 2packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4cup sugar
  • 2eggs
  • 1teaspoon vanilla

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Layer

  • 1pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz)  chocolate chip cookie mix
  • 1tablespoon  all-purpose flour
  • 1/2cup butter, softened
  • 1egg

Directions

• Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottom only of 13x9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray.
• In large bowl, mix Brownie Base ingredients until well blended. Spread in pan. Bake 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Add sugar; beat until blended. Add 2 eggs and vanilla; beat just until blended. In medium bowl, stir together chocolate chip cookie mix and flour. Add softened butter and 1 egg; stir until soft dough forms.
• Spread cheesecake layer mixture over hot brownie base. Drop teaspoonfuls of chocolate chip cookie dough over cheesecake layer.
• Bake 35 to 40 minutes or until cookie is golden brown. Cool 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before cutting and serving. Cut into 6 rows by 5 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

Lobster Mac & Cheese

Ingredients

• 8 ounces elbow macaroni ( we used more "designer" looking noodles)
• 16 ounces heavy cream
• 8 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 4 ounces cream cheese
• 6 ounces fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 ounces shredded gruyere cheese
• 1 lb lobster meat, chopped
• 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 dash salt
• 1 dash pepper

Directions

1. Bring salted water to boil and add noodles. Cook 8 - 10 minutes (do not overcook). in a double boiler, combine cheddar cheese, 4 oz. Parmesan cheese, cream cheese and Gruyere cheeses. Heat until blended.
2. Gradually add cream, stirring until smooth.
3. In a large pan, heat olive oil, add shallots and garlic. Saute. Add lobster meat and cook until opaque. Remove from heat.
4. Drain pasta. Add to lobster mix, then add cheese sauce, salt and pepper. Mix well.
5. Place in casserole dish, sprinkle with remaining Parmesan cheese and top with breadcrumbs.
6. Bake at 350°F for 6-8 minutes until breadcrumbs are golden brown.

Shrimp, Avocado and Tomato Salad

Ingredients

For the Vinaigrette

• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 teaspoons cumin, ground
• 1 1/2 teaspoons grated lime zest
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 5 tablespoons olive oil

For the Salad

• 24 large shrimp, in the shell ( 1 - 1 1/4 pounds)
• 2 ripe avocados
• 6 small tomatoes ( yellow or red , or a combination of the two)
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 6 cups mixed salad greens
• ground pepper

Directions

1. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the lime juice, cumin, lime zest, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk in the olive oil. Set aside.
2. To make the salad, bring a saucepan three-fourths full of water to a boil. Add the shrimp and cook until they curl and turn pink, about 3 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Peel and devein and place in a large non-aluminum bowl. Add half of the vinaigrette to the shrimp, toss well, and let stand for 10 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, halve, pit and peel the avocados and cut lengthwise into slices 1/2 inch thick. Core and halve the tomatoes and cut into wedges 1/2 inch wide. Add the avocados, tomatoes, and cilantro to the shrimp and toss gently.

4. Place the salad greens in a separate bowl. Whisk the remaining vinaigrette and pour over the greens. Toss well. Divide the greens among individual plates. Top with the shrimp mixture. Season each serving with several grinds of pepper and serve at once.

Grilled Bourbon Buffalo Chicken

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 4 tablespoons hot sauce ( like Frank's Red Hot)
• 1 tablespoon Bourbon or 1 tablespoon whiskey or 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoning salt

salad

• 6 cups romaine lettuce
• 1 cup cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 cup celery, thinly sliced
• 1 cup bell pepper, any color, diced
• 1 cup carrot, shredded
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes

Garnish

• 4 tablespoons green onions, thinly sliced (optional)
• 2 cups croutons, seasoned (optional)

Directions

1. Mix hot pepper sauce, bourbon (or whiskey or lemon juice) and salt in a 1-gallon zippered freezer bag and shake to mix it up. Rinse chicken if desired and pat completely dry with paper towels. Add chicken to bag and let rest in refrigerator for 20 minutes or up to 24 hours.
2. Preheat the grill to the highest setting.
3. Remove chicken from marinade, spray each piece lightly with fat-free cooking spray, and place on grill. Grill chicken about 8 to 12 minutes turning chicken halfway through. (You can do this inside using an indoor grill- cooking for about 5 minutes and not turning as it is a two sided grill.).
4. Arrange lettuce on plates and top with cucumbers, celery, bell pepper and carrot, leaving center free for chicken.

5. To serve, allow chicken to rest 2 to 3 minutes after coming off of grill to allow juices to settle. Cut each piece across the grain into 1/2-inch wide strips then lay equal amounts in center of each salad.
6. Sprinkle each salad with equal amounts of onions and croutons. Drizzle with your choice of salad dressing. We like Ranch but Blue Cheese is great as well.

Deep-Fried Jalapeno Slices

Ingredients

• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 eggs, slightly beaten
• 1 cup beer
• 1/2 quart vegetable oil
• 8 -10 medium jalapeno peppers ( sliced in half or quarters)

Directions

1. In a bowl mix together flour, salt, pepper, chili powder, garlic powder, eggs and beer together until well combined.
2. Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or a large heavy pot to 365 degrees.
3. Dip/coat the jalapeno slices into the batter, then carefully drop into the hot oil.
4. Fry until browned (the slices will float to the surface when fully cooked, they should be browned and crispy).