Shopaholic in Alabama

Source: dricksramblingcafe.blogspot.com via Lori on Pinterest Here's what happens when it rains allllll weekend (anywhere from 12" - 21" from Mobile, Gulf Shores to Pensacola). We stay inside and we cook, then we eat! We watch old movies and we eat some more.  I don't even want to confess how many HOURS I spent on Pinterest this weekend (those who already follow me probably know, I was a pinning fool for the past few days). Pinterest is dangerous to me, because I find so many new recipes I want to try. Friday night, I found the above recipe for "Dauphin Island Shrimp Salad" - and hey, I was at Dauphin Island already...so I sent the DH and my Father to the seafood market on Saturday morning and viola - Shrimp Salad!  Giving credit where it's due: if you enjoy southern cooking, especially with seafood - you simply must check out " Drick's Rambling Cafe ". His blog is chock full of so many marvelous recipes! The author is from...

Have you ever had a Popcorn Cake?  They are so easy to prepare, and are a huge hit! For your next party or gathering, you might want to consider making one - especially if any children will be in attendance. A popcorn cake also looks beautiful on a serving platter and the colors can be changed to celebrate the various seasons or holidays!  I originally found the idea on Pinterest and knew I had to try it! I made the cake pictured above for a family gathering and it was a smashing success! Don't worry - I have all the instructions for you so you can make your own Popcorn Cake!  Ingredients: (2) Bags of Microwave Popcorn (2) Cups M&M's (1.5) Cups Broken Pretzel Sticks (not crushed, I broke mine in half) (1) Stick of Butter (8) Cups of Mini Marshmallows (1) Bundt pan, spray with Pam or cooking spray before beginning Instructions: (1) Pop both bags of popcorn according to directions. Be sure to remove any kernels that didn't pop (no one wants an em...

It's true - I've been experimenting a lot this holiday season. From new recipes (like the pretzel hugs I originally blogged here ), to the handcrafted and jeweled holiday ornaments (original post here ) - I haven't been scared to try anything! Just last week, I made these "Rolo Pretzels" so I wanted to share with you - just in case you're looking for a new treat for your next holiday gathering.  Like the pretzel hugs, this is ridiculously simple to make. Your guests, friends, family, co-workers, mail carrier - everyone will love them. All you need to purchase: Snyder's Pretzel Snaps, a bag of Rolo candies (trust me: make sure no one else is home when you get these, the DH opened mine and ate a bunch before I started making the pretzels, ha) and pecan halves. Three ingredients.  Instructions: (1) Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. (2) Line a cookie sheet with either waxed or parchment paper.  (3) Place your pretzels in "rows" across ...

***Please join me in welcoming my friend and guest blogger, Caitlin from Cookin' With The Vegan Quintet today. I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for new - and easy - recipes to try during the holidays. Enjoy Caitlin's famous carrots, and be sure to check out her blog for other fabulous vegan fare. Let's show her some love!*** Hi Shopaholics! I'm Caitlin, Lori's Lilly-loving vegan bestie from Virginia. Lori is showcasing holiday recipes through the end of the year and asked me to share my famous Glazed Carrots with a Difference. These are the only glazed carrots I've ever eaten so I'm not sure what the difference the name refers to...maybe the onions? Anyhoo, they are DELICIOUS and so easy to make!   Serves 4  2 cups peeled and sliced carrots (use real carrots, not the babies, they have so much more flavor and are worth the effort) 1 medium onion diced (Did you know that if you put a piece of bread in your mouth your eyes won't t...

If you're looking for a super easy , sweet and salty treat to make this holiday season, keep reading. Whether making these for your child's holiday party at school, an informal gathering at your BFF's house, or as a special gift for your UPS driver or mail carrier - everyone will love these. Meet the "Pretzel Hug". I have seen these referred to by many other names online, but I'll just go with Pretzel Hug. It's easy for me to remember!  The ingredient list is simple: Hershey's Kisses (1 or 2 bags, depending on how many you'd like to make) and Snyder's Pretzel Snaps. You'll also need a cookie sheet and waxed or parchment paper to line the pan.  Directions: (so easy, a child could do this) (1) Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.  (2) Unwrap the Hershey's Kisses. I used the Candy Cane ones, I've seen other recipes call for the Hugs. I'm sure they would be great, no matter which version of the Kisses you decide to use. (P...

Happy Monday! Warning: This post might make you hungry! :-)  One of my favorite things about living on the Alabama Gulf Coast is the accessibility of fresh seafood. Sometimes we catch it ourselves - other times we buy it. Regardless of how we acquire the seafood, it's a staple in our diet.  Yesterday we had a hankering for a shrimp boil. So, I went to the store and got everything we needed to prepare a coastal feast! When putting together a "traditional" shrimp boil on the gulf coast, most folks include shrimp, new potatoes, corn and occasionally sausage. However, I am trying to limit my carbs this week (must look cute in halter top at Kid Rock concert in a week) so I decided to modify our ingredients. We started with 4 pounds of fresh shrimp, one pound of Andouille sausage, and whole, fresh mushrooms.  This is the part where people ask "don't you just use the package of crab boil in the box?". Ummm, yes and no...the boxed crab boil - when used ac...

Happy Monday! Here on the Gulf Coast, we are always preparing and cooking seafood. Today I thought I would share one of our favorite recipes - West Indies Salad. This is prepared with lump crabmeat and is a warm weather favorite. We make this often on the weekends, and it's one of the DH's favorites. West Indies Salad Ingredients: (1) medium Onion, finely chopped (1) lb. lump crabmeat (4) oz. Wesson oil (3) oz. cider vinegar (4) oz. Ice Water Salt & Pepper Spread half of onion over bottom of large bowl. Cover with separated crab lumps and then remaining onion. Salt and Pepper. Then (in this order) pour oil, vinegar, and ice water over all. Cover and marinate at least 8 and up to 12 hours. Toss lightly before serving.  West Indies Salad is commonly served over crackers, and believe it or not, plain Saltines are a great choice! A few local restaurants mix it up a little bit and serve the salad over lettuce leaves. One of my favorites is to serve...

Wow Shopaholics! Two Days Until Santa arrives! :-) Many of you will remember that I shared this recipe with you back in January 2010. At the time, I heard from several readers who made the pralines and loved them! Earlier today, I went to Publix and picked up all the ingredients to make these tonight. Seriously - it could NOT be any easier! Your family, friends and guests will be impressed. They'll think you worked soooo hard. No worries - it can be our little secret! Enjoy - you probably have the items on hand to whip these up tonight! Let me know how it turns out! :-) EASY PRALINES Ingredients: 1 Cup Firmly packed Brown Sugar 1 Egg White, Beaten 1 1/2 Cups Chopped Pecans, Lightly Toasted Instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Stir together brown sugar and beaten egg white, then fold in chopped pecans. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto a heavy-duty aluminum foil-lined baking sheet. Turn off oven, place baking sheet in oven. Let pralines stand 8 h...

Hello, Shopaholics! Happy Tuesday to you! Today I'll be running around like a crazy woman, trying to get these bathrooms completed. After that I have to decorate the house for the holidays. I can't believe it - I have NEVER been this late getting the decorations up. I'm beginning to wonder if it's even worth the effort at this point. Typically I have the tree up by the weekend after Thanksgiving. Ugh. Always running behind... Anyway, it's turned really cold here (don't laugh, friends up north - it's under 30 degrees and that is cold for us!). For tonight's dinner, I need something easy, quick and warm. Enter the famous Shrimp Chowder recipe from "Southern Living". Mother gave me this recipe several years ago and it's always a hit. DH is famous for telling me "soup isn't a meal" but that does not apply with this recipe - it's very hearty. Try it - you'll love it and so will your family! It's on the menu here t...

Hi Shopaholics! Hope you are doing great and getting ready for Turkey Day! I can't believe it's time for the holidays. I sit and wonder where did the year go? This past weekend, we made our last fishing trip of the season. Our special fall red snapper season is officially over. The boat is on the trailer. It's somewhat sad of course, but there's always next year! Here are a few photos I thought you might enjoy - especially the food! :-) DH caught an Amberjack - we were 35 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. You can see where at some point, another fish or something much larger tried to take a bite out of this poor fellow. We brought him home, he was Monday Dinner at our house and my parents! Dad with a red snapper he caught...it's in the freezer for a family fish fry (coming soon). Please ignore my hair in this photo, it's a hot mess. DH and I with more red snapper for the freezer! We witnessed some of the most beautiful scenery on the ride ho...