Of Fests and Football!

Publish Post

What a great weekend! Saturday was one of my good friend's son's first day of school. No, that was not a typo my friends! The first day of 1st year or grade happens on Saturdays here in Germany to ease 1st grade jitters. Here in my town, the kids started with a church service, then they go to their class for about 15 minutes and then the 2nd graders put on the cutest show ever for them. I cried like a baby, and I can not imagine how I will be when my own children starts school!

My son will not partake in this ceremony as he will be in American schools next year, so it was really nice to experience this. Check out the photos here.

 Then later the family went to visit another Serena (another blogger) for dinner and fun. They're parents to be and our children absolutely adore them. They're going to be great parents!!

Sunday was the 2nd day of the 49th Annual Leimen Weinwerke. I didn't go last year as it starts the same time as Oktoberfest and I was in Munich all dirndled up! 

At the Oktoberfest last year and I was just.. SHOCKED!

Germany's full of all kinds of fests and markets in the winter. They're so much fun full of plenty libations! My friend over at Living Wright at Home captured the day perfectly!

After drinking 1 too many beers and doing the moonwalk 90 year-olds I had to hurry home to start dinner. It was NFL Sunday, so I had to make something quick, filling, yet fun. I whipped up some Deli Sliders and Stir-fried Shrimp with Bacon, Chilies and Mint! Weird combo, but oh, so yummy! 

Deli Sliders

For these babies, I added some flavor to mayo for a quick kick.  This is so easy and quick.

Creole Mayo you will need
Creole Seasoning as much as desired/ You can make your own as I did.
1/2 cup Mayo
Dash of Worcestershire Sauce

Mix and be pleased!

Honey Mustard Mayo
1/2 cup Mayo
1/4 dijon mustard or mustard of choice
1/4 cup honey
dash of cider vinegar

You can use any meat or cheese you prefer. We used roast beef, chicken, ham, swiss and pepper jack! I used the Hawaiian Rolls again for this. Toast them according to the package instructions and enjoy!



Then after I made those I felt I needed more. I've been dying to try the Stir-fried Shrimp with Bacon Chilies and Mint from my Food and Wine Cookbook, 2009. Of course if it's got bacon in the title, then it MUST be good! And it was very delicious! It's very spicy when you start eating it and then the fresh mint kicks in cools your mouth. I found it very nice. If you want you can use less chilies. I only used four and it had a pretty good kick!



Stir-Fried Shrimp with Bacon, Mint and Chilies
Adapted from Food and Wine Cookbook, 2009

Ingredients
2t vegetable oil
1/4 pound of thickly sliced bacon, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
4 thai chilies, minced
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup dry white wine
6T chopped mint

Heat oil in pan over medium heat. Add bacon and sauté until most of fat is rendered, about 5-6 minutes. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of fat. I like to save the fat! 

I like to use leftover bacon fat for other uses. Allow it to cool, them place in an airtight container in the fridge. 

Lower heat slightly and add garlic and chilies. Stir until fragrant.

Increase heat, then add shrimp and cook until shrimp just turns pink

Add wine and cook until all it's nearly evaporated

Add mint

Serve!!

Shrimp Salad with Cucumber, Mint and Basil in Lettuce Cups

Back story: Yesterday I finally got my internet back if you haven’t read in the previous post. So I spent a good portion of the day catching up with folks, reading blogs, uploading photos, explaining myself to my mother, etc. So I sort of splurged on junk food! Luckily I planned a healthy dinner for tonight last week. As well as being healthy it's also quick to make! Today was spent cleaning and researching jam and chutney recipes and learning all about the world of canning (I feel like such a grandma sometimes- but I like it!). So dinner was late and a quick, fresh fix is what was needed. 

Anyone like shrimp salads? I remember growing up eating seafood salads that were laden with loads of mayo and/or miracle whip. Well this version is a different, lighter, take on on your standard shrimp/seafood salad. A mint pesto-like sauce is used for a fresh taste as well as cucumbers for a nice crunch and lemon zest for a citrus kick. This salad was absolutely amazing. I can eat my weight in it- so thank goodness it’s healthy!

To make the mint sauce, use a small food processor or mortar and pestal! I used my large food processor, and it took a little while to get the sauce just right. My first instinct told me to use my mini processor, d’oh! Still easy and quick, though!

This recipe is adapted from my dear friend (she just doesn’t know it yet) Ellie Krieger. Here is the original recipe.

Ingredients

·         1 pound of jumbo shrimp, cleaned

·         1 garlic clove smashed , unpeeled(optional)

·         about 10 peppercorns or your taste (optional)

·         2 mint leaves (optional)

·         1 cup fresh mint leaves

·         ½ cup fresh basil leaves

·         2 tablespoons lemon juice, separated 

·         3 tablespoons olive oil

·         1/2 English cucumber, seeded and diced (about 1 1/2 cups)

·         1 lemon, zested

·         Salt and pepper

Directions

In a large saucepan, add garlic, salt, peppercorns and mint leaves to water, then bring to boil. Cook shrimp in boiling water for 3 minutes, drain and cool in refrigerator or in a bowl full of ice. I just chucked it into the freezer while I chopped the cucumbers!

Put mint, basil and 2 tablespoons of lemon juice in food processor and pulse to coarsely chop the mint and basil. Drizzle olive oil into processor while pureeing until herbs are finely chopped.

I so elegantly chopped the shrimp to add to the salad since they were jumbo. But you do not have to!

In a serving bowl, toss shrimp, cucumber, herb mixture, zest, salt and pepper to combine. Squeeze remaining lemon juice onto salad. Put into cups for an extra elegant touch.

This will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Hope you enjoy as much my family did!