Spicy Shrimp with Sweet Grapefruit Glaze

This recipe for Spicy Shrimp with Sweet Grapefruit Glaze is sponsored by Sweet Scarletts and Millennial Blogs, all opinions are 100% mine.

These Spicy Shrimp with Sweet Grapefruit Glaze are easy enough to prepare as a weeknight dinner yet wonderful enough to be served to guests on the weekend. Succulent large shrimp are first sautéed with chili-garlic sauce and cilantro, then finished with a sweet grapefruit glaze. The fiery notes of this dish are perfectly complimented with a tart sweetness from the grapefruit glaze.

My fruit-loving kids have been on a grapefruit kick lately and those bags of Sweet Scarletts Texas Red Grapefruit have been calling to me. "Make something with me!" So, I obliged - because how could I say no to that sweet face?

We have been enjoying these sweet grapefruits in the morning with breakfast {a splendid way to start the day with half of a grapefruit containing 100% the daily value of vitamin C!} so I decided to switch things up and add them to a savory dinner dish. My kiddos like spicy dishes, but nothing too hot - so this recipe for Spicy Shrimp with Sweet Grapefruit Glaze was perfect! The natural sweetness of grapefruit works fabulous to tone-down the heat in this dish and I love that there's no sugar involved, just natural fresh-squeezed goodness. These shrimp are the perfect marriage of sweet and spicy, not to sweet and not too spicy - and absolutely fabulous on your taste-buds.

Spicy Shrimp with Sweet Grapefruit Glaze
PRINTABLE RECIPE
Ingredients
½ cup fresh squeezed grapefruit juice
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon raw honey
1 teaspoon grapefruit zest, diced

1lb large shrimp, deveined and shelled {leave or remove tails}
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons chili-garlic sauce {found in ethnic aisle of grocery store}
1 teaspoon diced cilantro

Directions
1 In small saucepan stir together grapefruit juice, olive oil, raw honey and grapefruit zest. Bring to boil, lower heat and let gently simmer.
2 In skillet heat olive oil and chili-garlic sauce over medium-high until just starting to bubble. Add shrimp and sauté for 5-7 minutes, until shrimp has turned pink and sauce is mostly gone. Add grapefruit sauce, stir to evenly coat and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Most sauce should be evaporated.
3 Serve warm and enjoy! {we enjoyed ours with white rice, zucchini, and grapefruit slices}

 Try Sweet Scarletts, the sweetest Texas red grapefruit. Check out the Sweet Scarletts Facebook page for more from the reddest, sweetest, and best grapefruit you’ve ever tasted.

Spicy Tropical Salmon Burgers

These Spicy Tropical Salmon Burgers been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KingOfFlavor #CollectiveBias

It may be due to the childhood summers I spent in the Florida Keys, but there is just something about summertime that makes seafood taste better! Whether it be shrimp kabobs, an oyster cook-out or boiled lobster tails - enjoying it all in the warm weather seems like perfection. Last week, during a seafood-craving, my husband and I enjoyed a sushi dinner which included a sushi roll that contained spicy salmon. It was amazing to say the least. After doing a little research I found out that a lot of spicy sushi meats are simply hot sauce mixed in with the meat. {say what?!?} So, I knew I had to try my own hand at making a spicy salmon dish - but with my own little twist on it. A tropical twist. These Spicy Tropical Salmon Burgers are an ode to my husband and mine's love of seafood, hot sauce, burgers and everything tropical!

25 Delicious Ways to Celebrate National Shrimp Day

There happens to be a very awesome holiday this weekend - National Shrimp Day! Here are 25 mouth-watering recipes for May 10th, just to help with the celebration. {you might want to grab a rag for these drool-inducing dishes...}

Lemon-Ginger Marinated Shrimp {No-Cook}

I remember being young and turning my nose up at cocktail shrimp. It just seemed a little disgusting to me even though I loved fried, grilled and sauteed shrimp. Then one day, I don't remember where, the only appetizer was cocktail shrimp. So I reluctantly tried one, smothered in cocktail sauce... OMG. Yeah, I ended up with a belly full of cocktail shrimp - they were so fresh and delicious!!

Meat Lovers Dinner Spread with Save Mart's {Pick 5 for $25} Promotion #FreshFinds

To celebrate my family's love of meat, as part of a sponsored post for Collective Bias® and Save Mart, I made a Meat Lovers Dinner Spread using meat from my local Save Mart Supermarket. #FreshFinds #cbias

This past weekend I made a few Meat Lover's dreams come true! I prepared a Meat Lovers Dinner Spread where every dish had meat in it. It was fun to create, cook and serve - not to mention that it was DELICIOUS to eat. My inspiration was Save Mart Supermarket's current Pick 5 for $25 promotion, they have an awesome selection of meat for $5 each if you purchase 5 of the qualifying products. 

Check out my picks!

I bought a couple Boneless New York Steaks, a Salmon Fillet, Large Prawns and Ground Beef. Those choices weren't even half of the selection. There was also chicken products, ground turkey, tilapia fillets, lamb chops, country style ribs, albacore tuna steaks and so much more! I posted pics from my shopping trip on Google+ if you want to see all the goodies I found. :)

What I loved was how everything that was included in the promotion had a big round sticker on it - it made it so much easier to make my selections. It can be so annoying to look for an item that you know is on sale, but there is no signage. No worries at Save Mart!! I even found items that were not in the store advertisement such as frozen Tyson chicken products like chicken nuggets and popcorn chicken!

Without any firther ado, let me share with you how I made our Meat Lovers Dinner Spread!

The first dish I prepped was an Asian Salad with Grilled Salmon. This was so easy! Just marinate the salmon in teriyaki sauce, grill (skin side down) then chop, cool and mix with a bagged salad that has Asian flavors to it. I used Taylor Farms Asian Salad that I found in Save Mart's produce section.

This tasted amazing and is definitely going to be served again! The flavors just meshed perfectly together.

Next was the Lemon-Pepper with Dill Prawn Skewers. This dish is also super easy - just a little time consuming. I shelled the prawns and thread them onto bbq skewers. I used the method that we use for baiting a hook with shrimp, just start at the tail and go through the body. Then they sat in a marinade I found at Save Mart, Weber Just Add Juice Lemon Pepper, with fresh dill added. These bad boys only need a few minutes on the grill to cook - you know they are done when they turn pink!

These were a HUGE hit and I can't wait to make them with different marinades. They are so easy to eat and the kids found them very intriguing.

Then the Rodeo Cheeseburger Stuffed Potatoes! I browned up half a pound of ground beef and half a pound of beef bacon (the bacon was not part of the Pick 5 for $25 promotion, is was just something that I couldn't live without!) and added fried onion. I filled up cooked potato shells and topped with cheese and bbq sauce, then baked at 350 until melted.

These were delicious and such a fun spin on stuffed potato skins!

And last, but certainly not least, was our Mini New York Steaks with Blue Cheesy Mushroom Topper. Oh my!! I call them mini because we cut the steaks in half. To season the meat all I used was Garlic Salt with Parsley and Ground Black Pepper, then let it sit in the refrigerator for about 45 minutes before cooking.

The Mushroom Topper was made while the steaks were grilling - its fast and fresh! If you like mushrooms and you like blue cheese - you will definitely want to keep this recipe in mind next time you will be grilling up some steaks!

Blue Cheesy Mushroom Topper for Steak
(PRINTABLE RECIPE)
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter
8oz Mushrooms
½ tablespoon fresh garlic, chopped
½ tablespoon fresh chives, chopped
¼ cup blue cheese, crumbled
Directions
1. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add mushrooms and cook for a few minutes until mushrooms are soft.
3. Add garlic and chives. Cook for a couple more minutes until garlic starts to turn golden.
4. Remove from heat and stir in blue cheese crumbles. Cover and let sit a couple minutes.
5. Top steaks and serve immediately.

For more information on Save Mart, you can also find them on facebook, twitter and pinterest! If you love cooking outdoors - make sure to check out the Explore The Grill promotion that Save Mart has running with Pepsi right now. Every day there is a Green Egg grill being given away - go check it out!!

Shrimp & Bacon Stuffed Potatoes

These potatoes will knock your socks off, as long as you like shrimp, bacon, cheese and potatoes. ;) I was a little weary about putting shrimp in them, put they turned out great! 

But first I must share a bit of my Pontiac GTO love with you. ♥ The Pontiac GTO is my favorite car, all-time favorite. If I were to win the lotto, there would be a '65 or '66 sitting in our garage, but until then I am just a die-cast GTO collector. 

Anytime I see a GTO, it's a special moment. :) This weekend we went to the Sacramento Auto Museum and were able to see two of my favorite beauties! 

I am just sitting here staring at these pictures, not getting anything accomplished with this post. This may have been a bad idea. lol

What a gorgeous car!

And then Mr. Hungry Harp spotted this for me at the grocery store. How freakin' awesome?!?

Ok, now on to the potatoes. I just couldn't pass up sharing a bit of excitement and happiness from my weekend. :)

These potatoes are easy and delicious, mostly delicious. :) Ok, so first I cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and hollowed out the center. Using a melon baller, the job was easy - using a regular spoon is possible, it just takes a bit more finesse and time.

Next I spread a rather thin layer of a mixture, including spiced brown mustard and seafood seasoning, inside each potato...

... and baked for 30 minutes.

While the potatoes were baking I assembled the cheesy stuffing. It includes shredded gouda cheese,

lightly sauteed shrimp,

bacon, cream cheese and some more seafood seasoning. I mixed all the ingredients together and then

stuffed the potatoes until they couldn't be stuffed anymore. ;) Really until the mixture ran out, which will leave you with heaping stuffed potatoes!

These could be baked in the oven, but I opted to keep the house cool and use the bbq instead. When the cheese was melted I added chopped chives to the top.

My mouth is watering now.

Shrimp & Bacon Stuffed Potatoes - PRINTABLE RECIPE

adapted from BHG.com

Ingredients

4 potatoes

2 tablespoons spiced brown mustard - I used Gulden’s

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 teaspoons seafood seasoning - I used Old Bay

8 ounce cooked shrimp, peeled

8 ounce cream cheese

1 cup Gouda cheese, shredded

4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled - I used Hormel Black Label Thick Cut

¼ cup fresh chives, snipped

Directions

1. Heat oven to 425

2. Slice potatoes in half lengthwise, scoop pulp out of potatoes leaving ¼ inch shell.

3. Mix together mustard, olive oil and 1 teaspoon of seafood seasoning.

4. Brush insides of potato shells with mustard mixture and place on baking sheet. Bake for 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

5. Mix together 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, shrimp, cream cheese, gouda cheese and bacon.

6. Fill baked potatoes with cheese mixture and bake 10-15 minutes more, until cheese is melted and starting to bubble and brown. Sprinkle chives on top and enjoy!

Red Wine-Marinated Shrimp

Did you know May is Mediterranean Food Month? We already celebrated with a Mediterranean Salad, a Mediterranean Ice Cream Party (the post will be up by the end of the month!) and these lovely Red Wine-Marinated Shrimp. They are wonderful - and they disappear when given to guests. Score!

This was the first time using wine in a marinade, so I was a bit worried about what it would do to the meat - but it worked out great.

Red Wine-Marinated Shrimp (printable recipe)
Ingredients
1/2 cup red wine
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup white onion, grated
4 teaspoons garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dry oregano
1 tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
3 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup pineapple juice
60 medium shrimp - defrosted, peeled and deveined
Directions
1. Combine red wine, olive oil, onion, garlic, oregano, paprika, pepper and salt. Set in fridge for 1 hour.
2. Add pineapple juice and shrimp to marinade. Set in fridge for 45 minutes.
3. Skewer shrimp, making sure to not overcrowd. Cook over med-high heat until shrimp are pink and cooked through - about 5 minutes on each side was all it took for ours.
4. Enjoy!!

Hungry Harps - hungryharps@gmail.com

Pesto Shrimp Pasta Salad & Fall Break

After a week of no blogging I have decided to peek my head around the corner and see what has been going on. Please forgive me, I took time off without telling anyone – I am pretty sure I would have been fired if this were a “real” job. The excuse? My husband’s Fall Break from school – 2 weeks, and I am LOVING it!! He is an instructor at a local college and at the end of each quarter he will get 1 or 2 weeks off – totally sweet deal! So, needless to say, we have been relaxing and enjoying his work-free days. :)

We have…

Visited my husband’s grandparents. :) They have the most awesome place and I could honestly spend ALL day taking pictures there. These are just a few of the shots I got in the bar. No pun intended, haha.

Pretty cool huh? The bar gets packed every year for their annual Christmas party, a huge celebration with friends and family. It is an event to look forward to all year!

Got to spend time with my in-laws and had a blast. I will have to say this; the family that is crazy together, stays together. (FYI – I am talking fun crazy, not psycho crazy) haha

Took a trip to Michael’s craft store. It was Little Brother’s first trip there so he had plenty to check out. :) I found these totally cute Sweet Treats cutters to be used with clay. If you are interested, check out what can be made with clay and some foodie creativity at Roscata's Etsy store. I am so ready to get back to crafting!

We rummaged through our Halloween Costume box :)

Took the kiddos to the park with Grandma & Papa (my parents). We had a great time, Bubba loved the swing and Little Brother loved the Slurpee. :)

I made some Pillsbury Halloween Cupcakes. Cute, just not original. The kids didn’t mind either way...

And a recipe that I made before the hubby went on break. Unfortunately since he has been home from work nothing exceptional has come out of the kitchen. :( It is discouraging but I will keep at it. Enjoy this wonderful Pesto Shrimp Pasta Salad that was made on a whim but turned out delicious!

Pesto Shrimp Pasta Salad
Ingredients
2 cups cooked pasta, I used Penne Rigate
1 cup cooked shrimp, chilled
½ cup artichoke hearts, quartered
½ cup roasted red bell pepper, cut into strips
¼ cup basil pesto
2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Directions
1. Combine pasta, shrimp, artichoke hearts, red bell pepper and pesto
2. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese
3. Enjoy!

Mediterranean Shrimp Pizza

I have been shopping at Smart & Final for as long as I can remember, so when I was asked to create a recipe using products from their La Romanella line – I was totally game!!

For those who have not had the pleasure of shopping at a Smart & Final, let me share with you why I love them. :) They are a small warehouse store that carries quality food and supplies – no membership required and the prices are AMAZING! I have never been anything but satisfied with my purchases from Smart & Final, from their produce to their wonderful selection of foodservice items.

La Romanella is Smart & Final’s line of food products that are inspired by the cuisine of the Mediterranean. Yum! To help get me started with the creation of a recipe, I was sent the most amazing gift basket!  My gift basket included pasta, pasta sauces, olive oil, marinated artichoke hearts, grated parmesan cheese & more! I wish I would have taken a picture of it, but I was too busy ripping it open like a kid opening presents on Christmas... I was ready to get cooking so I set off to Smart & Final to see what other La Romanells products were available. I was like a kid in a candy store and ended up buying enough supplies for a few Mediterranean dishes. ;)

Here is everything that came from Smart & Final for my Mediterranean Shrimp Pizza: (I already had a red onion and the fixin’s for a pizza crust)

Mediterranean Shrimp Pizza
Ingredients
1 cup cooked small shrimp
1 cup La Romanella Tomato Strips with Basil
pizza dough - we made our own, but a pre-made crust would work great too
½ cup La Romanella Original Basil Pesto
2 cups shredded cheese, pizza blend
1 cup La Romanella Marinated Artichoke Hearts, sliced in half lengthwise
1/3 cup red onion, diced
1/4 cup La Romanella Grated Parmesan Cheese

Directions
1. Combine shrimp and tomatoes – set aside
2. Spread pesto over pizza crust, we used a spatula and it worked great!
3. Top pizza evenly with cheese
4. Add toppings to pizza; artichoke hearts, red onions and shrimp-tomato mix
5. Follow directions to your crust, baking until golden brown on edges and the cheese is a bit bubbly
6. Let cool, serve with grated parmesan cheese and Enjoy!

The pizza came out great. I am beyond impressed with the quality of products offered in the La Romanella line. Each product is full of flavor and tastes so fresh! Next time I am wanting to cook anything Mediterranean, I will be shopping at Smart & Final for their La Romanella products. I also purchased Italian Style Meatballs, Pizza Sauce, Fired Roasted Whole Red Peppers and Pepperoni - all La Romanella and to be cooked into wonderful dishes very, very soon. ;)

If you live in California, Nevada or Arizona check out Smart & Final’s store locater to find your nearest location. If you can make it in to your nearest store by October 18th and buy a bottle of Redwood Creek Wine ($4.99) you will receive one 16 oz. La Romanella Pasta for free. Yes, for free!

As part of the La Romanella promotion, Smart & Final is giving one winner a trip to Sonoma for wine tasting! Click here or on the picture below to get to their Facebook page to enter the contest. (The winner must live within 20 miles of a Smart & Final) Good luck!

 

This project has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for #collectivebias #CBias
All opinions of #LaRomanella products were honest and that of Jess Harp

Foodbuzz 24x24: End-of-Summer Oyster Party

What is Foodbuzz 24x24?
Well, first let me tell you about Foodbuzz. Foodbuzz is an online community of food bloggers that share recipes, pictures, blog posts, reviews, videos and so much more – all related to food. With over 4 million posts and over 4,000 featured publishers, you are destined to find something scrumptious to cook for dinner on their site! Plus, you don’t have to be a food blogger to sign up at Foodbuzz and start sharing your own recipes, following foodie blogs, creating your own recipe box and meeting other foodies. Very, very cool.

Each month Foodbuzz invites their 4000+ Featured Publishers to submit a creative and fun meal they would want to host. Foodbuzz then selects and sponsors 24 of those meals to take place on a single chosen day. So, we have 24 bloggers hosting their meals all within 24 hours of each other. Ta-da! You have the Foodbuzz 24x24.

My meal idea of an End-of-Summer Oyster Party was chosen! Very, very exciting. :) This is going to be a long post, so grab a snack and something to drink – I hope you enjoy!