Shrimp and Crab finger Scampi

Photographer: Peter Frank Edwards via CL

Shrimp and Crab finger Scampi

• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 20 large fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 20 large crab fingers or crab claws
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground white pepper

Preparation

1.  Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Add shrimp, and cook 2 minutes on each side. Transfer shrimp to a plate.
2. . Add white wine to skillet, stirring with a wooden spoon to loosen any bits stuck to bottom of pan. Bring mixture to a boil. Cook 5 to 7 minutes or until mixture is reduced by half. Add reserved shrimp and crab claws to skillet. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated.
3.  Remove pan from heat, and stir in butter, 1 piece at a time. Stir in parsley and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Recipe courtesy of Frank McMahon, Charleston, SC via CL.

Pin It

Beachy garden house (Coastal decorating)

Hello everyone, today I'm sharing some pictures of my garden house. We had some warm days back in April, so we decided to beachify the yard. I already showed you the front yard. I added some beach signs, candles, and my lobster bucket. The blue bench was a road side find and I painted it blue. The red table I painted as well.

Here we have more shells, some Cocina rock from St. Augustine, FL, more beach finds and an anker (also a find).

The life ring I found walking my dog on a lake, and the buyoi is a find from the New England Shore. Meanwhile the yard is blooming and looks like a dschungle. I need to take some photos to show  you. Linking up here. Cheers for now,

Pin It

Beachy front yard (Coastal Decor)

How are you today? A few weeks ago we had warm weather (back to freezing now) and everyone was out working in their yard. I am really craving the beach as I told you in this post. My DH and I brought out the sea shells and transformed the front of the house into a little coastal zone.

All my sea treasures are found on the beach! Even the wooden sign I found at the Long Island Sound and transformed it into a door sign. Usually there are sea shells on the sign, but they fell off during the last move and I haven't gotten around to re-glueing them.

We added some flowers and Doberman signs. The tree is actually blooming now. I will show you soon.

I brought the palm tree out, too. Need to add more plants still. I'm also working on a coastal wreath for the front door. What do you think? Linking up here and here. Cheers,

Pin It

German Easter Tree (Bavarian Holiday Traditions)

Hello friends, even though Easter is over I would like to show you our traditional Easter tree we made. I'm a little behind in posting, my grandmother has been admitted to the hospital again on Easter Sunday and we weren't sure if she would pull through. She is stable for now. My mother is scheduled to have heart surgery next week. If you can include them in your thoughts and prayers I would appreciate it.

This year was the first time in years we set up an Easter tree. I just cut some branches from the yard and added wooden and plastic Easter eggs. I ended up setting it out front. Isn't it cute?

Have you ever done an Easter tree?

Pin It

Roasted Grouper, Seafood Risotto & Champagne Citrus Beurre Blanc

Photographer: Peter Frank Edwards via CL

Roasted Grouper with Seafood Risotto and Champagne Citrus Beurre Blanc

For the grouper



Pin It

2 tablespoons canola oil

4 (6- to 7-ounce) skinless grouper fillets

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

1.  Preheat oven to 450°.
2.  Prepare Seafood Risotto and Champagne-Citrus Beurre Blanc; cover, and keep warm.
3.  Heat oil in an oven-safe, nonstick skillet over high heat. Sprinkle grouper with salt and pepper. Place fish in pan, and reduce heat to medium. Cook 2 minutes. Transfer skillet to oven, and bake 6 minutes or until fish is just cooked through. Serve over Seafood Risotto and Champagne-Citrus Beurre Blanc.

Seafood Risotto

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups Arborio or Carnaroli rice
1/2 cup white wine
3 cups warm chicken stock or broth, divided
1 (6-ounce) fresh lobster tail, diced
4 ounces fresh rock shrimp or other small shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/4 cup yellow corn kernels
1/4 cup sliced leeks
2 tablespoons mixed chopped herbs (chervil, tarragon, chives)
3 tablespoons diced tomato
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Kosher salt
Freshly ground white pepper

Preparation

1.  Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add rice, stirring to coat; cook 2 minutes. Add wine, and cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes or until wine is absorbed.
2.  Add 1 cup chicken stock, and cook, stirring constantly, until absorbed. Repeat with 1 more cup chicken stock.
3.  Stir in remaining 1 cup broth, lobster, shrimp, corn, and leeks; cook 2 minutes. Stir in herbs, tomato, and butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper 

• For the sauce
• 1 cup finely sliced shallots
• 2 cups dry Champagne or white wine
• 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground white pepper

Preparation

1.  Combine first 8 ingredients in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook 15 to 20 minutes or until liquid has almost evaporated.
2.  Reduce heat to low; gradually add butter, 1 piece at a time, whisking after each addition, until melted. Strain mixture through a fine wire-mesh strainer, discarding solids. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Recipe courtesy of Frank McMahon, Hank's Seafood Restaurant, Charleston, SC via CL.

Fowl Cay, Bahamas

Photographer: Cedric Angeles via CL

Let's go away and take a mental vacation at Fowl Cay Resort in the Bahamas. I came across this lovely island surfing the net recently. The resort consists of several villas that have been renovated and re-opened last year. You can book a week all inclusive starting at $9,500. I think I will stick with the virtual tour or wait until I have a boat. It does seem like a fun island-secluded, white beaches, clear water, fresh food. They even have little piggies swimming in the ocean and they are being fed by tourists. There is also a cool cave you can snorkel to.

via

Perhaps one day I will make it to a tropical island, until then Florida is the next best thing. What do you think? Where have you vacationed? Cheers,

Pin It

Decorating coastal style

Photographer: Annie Schlechter via CL

Hello, today I thought it would be fun to share some tips on how to decorate with a coastal touch. While we are land-locked right now, we plan to eventually live in FL. One can never start planning to soon! Meanwhile I add coastal touches to our German house. I love the fireplace with the sea treasures-I could totally do that!

Photographer: Jonny Valiant via CL 

Nothing says coastal like wicker and sea grass - in and outside the home. I can envision sea grass dining room chairs and a master bed.

Photographer: Jean-Philippe Piter via CL

How cool is this tropical looking bed room retreat? You would have to add a Doberman in my house.

Photographer: Jean-Philippe Piter via CL

Baskets of all sorts-one can never have too many baskets. I use them to hold fruit, napkins, and, of course, sea shells.

Photographer: Annie Schlechter via CL

Mirrors and texture in your favorite colors. If you stick with pillows or throws you can easily exchange them.

Photographer: Colleen Duffley via CL

Lot's of light, wooden floors and touches of colored glass. I love airy rooms.

Photographer: William Waldron via CL

White is always in style and driftwood is another great coastal accent.

Photographer: Paul Costello via CL

I love this teal color in the cabinets-it makes the dishes pop.

Photographer: Jeff McNamara via CL

Different textures and a mix of style make this living space cozy and casual. Have you found an accent that you can work with ?

Pin It

21 Spargel (Aspargus) dishes (Food)

via

Hello everyone, have you survived Easter? It is April and here in Germany we are having typical April Showers weather. White Aspargus (Spargel) season is here though-Franconia is the Spargel capital of Germany. Today I'm sharing white and green aspargus recipes.

via

My grandmother told me to reap aspargus it takes three years. During the second year you can reap for 10 days, and during the third year for 30 days. Then the season is over. That and the involved process to grow it accounts for high aspargus prices. Have you seen how the white aspargus is grown? They built little hills over the seeds.

The traditional white Spargel is served with a hollandaise sauce, but recently I have seen recipes that are more adventurous.



via

Have you tried Spargel of any kind? I have to say I love the green aspargus and only eat the white as a side on occassion.

via

Both varieties are very healthy and make a great spring and summer dish. When we lived in AL we had fresh green aspargus pretty much year round.

via

I have compiled 21 Spargel dishes that are popular in Germany right now. If you click the link you will be taken to the recipe pages.

via

Spargel is eaten with salads, pasta, soups, and even out of a wok.

via

Some dishes get pretty fancy...

via

...while others are very traditional.

via

One pan meals-

via

or with fish. Not sure about that one.

via

This looks good-fried aspargus with pasta.

via

With rice and shrimp.

via

With lamb for Sundays.

via

As a side dish.

via

Mixed in a salad.

via

The wok version.

via

With chinese noodles.

via

With fish and sauce.

via

The super healthy version-with couscous.

via

Salmon in a pan-

via

and with noodles. Be sure to check back later on this week for a yummy aspargus soup recipe. Linking up here. Cheers,

Pin It