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...

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...

Are you busy planning your family's Thanksgiving meal? With just a few short days until the annual celebration, I am making grocery lists and running back and forth to Publix. (You could say they know me there...)   If your family is like mine, we all have dishes that we prepare to bring to the celebration. Once you make a great dish that everyone loves, then you are expected to bring that same dish every year. Today I'm going to share a recipe that I prepare every year for my family's Thanksgiving meal. Mine for Thanksgiving is Sweet Potato Souffle. Please let me apologize in advance that I don't have a photo of this dish to share with you guys - but I didn't want to make this until the day before Thanksgiving. :-)  Sweet Potato Souffle Ingredients: (3) Large sweet potatoes, roasted and whipped (1) Cup Sugar (I only use 1/2 cup but recipes calls for a full cup. Personally I think a full cup would be way too sweet!) (2) Eggs, Beaten 1/2 tsp. Salt (1)...

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 Thursday! One day closer to the long 4th of July holiday weekend!  Last night I was all over the internet, looking for recipes for new and interesting 4th of July fare. Lucky me, I found this "Fourth of July Cocktail" recipe on the Food Network website (link HERE ). Now I'm dying to try it, perhaps a trip to the ABC store is a requisite stop today! :-)  Ingredients 1 ounce watermelon schnapps 1 big splash  cranberry  juice 1 very thin slice jalapeno or serrano pepper 1 slice lemon 1 slice lime 1 1/2 ounces  tequila 1/4 ounce blue curacao 1/2 ounce simple syrup Watermelon  wedge, for garnish (optional) Directions Mix the  schnapps  and cranberry juice in a shaker; pour into an ice-filled glass. Muddle  the jalapeno pepper, lemon and lime slices, tequila, blue curacao and simple syrup (to make a batch, dissolve sugar in equal parts hot water and chill) in the shaker. Slowly  strain  into the glass over the re...

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...

Happy Thursday everyone! Hope you're having a great week, I can't believe it's almost over. I've been "off" every day since Monday was a holiday, good thing I have calendars all over the place around the house. :-) Many of you will remember that a few weeks ago I posted photos of my 40th birthday party. (original post HERE ). The picture of the Strawberry Cheese Ring my sister made created lots of interest, both here on the blog and on Facebook . I should tell you guys - this is one of the recipes that my Mother, sister and I make for almost every party we host or attend. It was originally introduced to us by the man who catered my wedding, wayyyyy back when. Then he also catered my sister's wedding. Now sure how Mother talked him into the recipe - but she managed to do so. To protect his privacy and "secrets" I won't post his name, but...I will share the recipe. STRAWBERRY CHEESE RING (2) Cups grated Cheddar Cheese (1) Cup Chopped ...

Happy Thursday everyone! Many of you have commented in the past about my "southern/seafood" recipes and how you've enjoyed them, so today I have a new treat for you! Below is our family recipe for Shrimp Vermicelli Salad. I have no idea where this originated, my Mother has been preparing it for years and we've tweaked it to suit our tastes. (you will notice from my notes what I adjust) Shopaholic note: I firmly believe this is also a "lucky" recipe - as we had it the night Alabama won the college football national championship. If you're looking for something new, refreshing and different - give this recipe a try! You will not be disappointed! PERFECT for summer gatherings, BBQ's, parties, etc. SHRIMP VERMICELLI SALAD 5 Cups water 1.5 lbs. unpeeled medium-size fresh shrimp 1 (12 oz) package vermicelli 3 hard-cooked eggs, chopped 1.5 Cups chopped green onions 1 Cup chopped dill pickle (I reduced to approx. 1/2 cup) ¼ Cup minced fresh ...

Happy Wednesday to you! Hope everyone is having a wonderful week and enjoying a little bit of Spring! :-) When the weather turns warmer, I enjoy making Shrimp Pasta Salad. This dish is a hit, every single time! It lasts for several days in the refrigerator (although it won't last that long - promise). Today I thought I'd share the recipe with you. SHRIMP PASTA SALAD (1) Large bottle of Italian Dressing (I use Wish Bone) 1/2 small green Bell Pepper, chopped 1/2 small red Bell Pepper, chopped Broccoli & Cauliflower florets, chopped in small, bite size pieces (1) Box of Rotini pasta, tri-color (2) Lbs. Boiled Shrimp (1) Small can Black Olives, halved Fresh parmesan cheese, finely shredded (to taste, I use a ton of cheese!) Boil pasta according to package directions. Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Marinate for 8 hours, or overnight. Enjoy! Provided my dental work goes well on Thursday, I plan to make Shrimp Pasta Salad for the upcoming weekend! DH absolutel...

TGIF, my fabulous friends! I hate to report that my dear BFF Priscilla woke up on Thursday morning with an awful virus and we weren't able to do lunch. All three men in her house had suffered from the virus over the past week and she thought she'd escaped. Not so fast.....so lunch was postponed until a day she's feeling better. Hated it, I spent the rest of the day chasing bargains! As our days get longer and turn warmer (it was 76 on Thursday!), I think of making Tomato Pie. This is a very traditional southern recipe and served at many of our family gatherings, including Easter! It's a perfect compliment to the obligatory Honey-Baked Ham. When I cook, I make things that are super easy. I'm a good cook, but I believe in the KISS method - Keep It Simple Stupid. This is probably why I don't make candy or bake elaborate cookies, cakes, etc. I'm also not known for my patience, so if I can master this, you can too! (Side note: wish I had a photo to share, but...

Happy Friday everyone! I'm running so LATE with everything today - been busy running all over town, getting ready for the weekend and the Super Bowl! :-) For my Friday post, I thought I'd share another EASY and great recipe for you to try! This one will probably fit right into your Super Bowl Sunday menu, and chances are, you have all the ingredients on hand already! PINEAPPLE CHEESE BALL Ingredients: (2) 8 oz. Cream cheese, softened (1) 8 oz. Can Crushed Pineapple, well drained 1.5  Cup Chopped Pecans (2) Tbsp. chopped green Bell Pepper (2) Tbsp. chopped Onion (1) Tsp. seasoned salt Instructions: Combine all ingredients, reserving about 1 Cup of the pecans. Chill well. Form into a ball. Roll the ball in remaining pecans. Serve with crackers.  (FYI - I serve with RITZ or WHEAT THINS - but any crackers will work) My mother has been making this cheeseball for years and serving at many of our family gatherings. It is always a hit - and so e...

Happy Wednesday, my dear Fashionistas! I hope you're all doing wonderful and having a great week! This morning I'm "taking back the house" from clutter, and then I have a big DATE with my stylist at 2pm. He's going to get me ALL fixed up, roots and split ends GONE by the end of the day! If you're like me, you still have PECANS hanging around from the holidays. Luckily we live in an area where pecans are plentiful and the crops were fabulous this year. (everyone says this is because no big hurricane last season) There is a huge pecan tree at my Dad's office, and the guys go outside and pick them by the 5 gallon buckets on their breaks. We never have to buy pecans.... Funny I have been wondering what in the world I was going to do with all the leftover pecans and then I remembered this recipe! These are called "EASY PRALINES" because that's exactly what they are. I'm not good at making candy or baking (I cook "regular food"...