Southern Sunday Funday

Ya'll are in for a treat today! I have not one but DOS delicious Southern treats. With the amazing weather and football I decided to try out some ham & beans and some oven "fried" pickles...ambitious, no?

I've tried making ham & beans before with not much luck but it's not very hard (that's what she said) and it got the seal of approval by mom, hubby and hubby's friend so it's a definite keeper....

Here's what you'll need....

1lb. dried Northern beans
1 ham hock
1/2 lb. cubed ham
6 cups water

For best results soak beans overnight in water.

Ok here comes the most exhausting part....throw all that shit in a crock pot, set on low and let cook for 8 hours. I know, right?

it looks like a big pot of vomit BUT it tastes way better!

I also made cornbread....from a box...not that far yet peeps....

The winner of the day was the oven "fried" pickles though. Fried pickles are one of my favs but anything deep fried is not usually that great for you or your thighs so I found an alternative to frying and they turned out amazing! 

2 - 16oz jars dill pickle chips

1 cup Panko bread crumbs

1/2 cup flours

1/2 cup corn meal

1/2 cup dried parsley

1teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

Preheat oven to a whopping 450 degrees. 

Drain pickles in colander.

Mix eggs and milk in small bowl. 

Mix bread crumbs, flour and corn meal in bowl. 

First, dip pickles in egg/milk mixture then press into breading mixture, coating both sides. 

Place pickles on foil lined cookie sheet (spray with cooking spray first)

Once all pickles are on sheet spray tops with cooking spray.

Bake for 10 minutes, flip pickles, spray tops again with cooking spray and bake for another 10 minutes.  (if needed bake an additional 5 minutes or until all are golden brown, if you can still see some of the breading that is white) 

YUM!

Enjoy ya'll!

Lame Chops

Dinner tonight was less than stellar, it tasted great but it was nothing that I haven't had before. Baked pork chops, mac n cheese, green beans, salad.....ya, LAME. But nonetheless, it tasted good and the hubs liked it. I also make cream cheese brownies (out of a box) - ya LAME again. To my defense tonight was my late night at work so that accounts for a lot of the lameness.

Here is a pic of the brownies.....

My permanent roommate ate one before I could snap a picture. 

This post was fueled by two glasses of Moscato...

Bang Bang Shrimp

I pinned Bang Bang Shrimp a while back but never even looked at the recipe but Sunday I decided it was FINALLY time to quit being a wimp and try to make it. If you've never been to Bonefish Grill to try this uh-mazing dish now you don't have to because this is the real deal, it tastes JUST like the actual thing....no lies

So, here is what you will need...

1 bag (12 oz) medium-large shrimp, peeled and deveined

For the sauce:
1/2 cup lite mayo (I always opt to lighten my recipes when I can)
4 teaspoons Sriracha sauce
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon rice vinegar

For the egg mixture:
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk

For the breading mixture:
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon dried basil

For frying:
8 to 12 cups vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients for the sauce in a bowl, cover and set aside.
2. Combine beaten egg and milk in bowl, set aside.
3. Combine flour, panko, salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder and basil in bowl, set aside.
4. Bread the shrimp by first coating with the breading mixture then dip in the egg mixture and back into the breading mixture. Place the shrimp on a plate and put in the fridge for about 20 minutes (this helps the breading stick to the shrimp when frying)
5. Heat oil to 350 degrees (deep fryer) or medium-high heat if you are frying on stove top.
6. When oil is hot fry shrimp for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
7. When all shrimp has been fried, gently mix into sauce and coat the shrimp.

ENJOY!

BANG BANG!

You can also serve this with tortillas and asian slaw to make an incredible shrimp taco! It seems like a lot of work at first but I made 2 batches Sunday and once you know what you are doing it's super easy and the pay off is so worth it! 

Ever since I found the motherland of ideas...aka Pinterest...I've wanted to start a blog about trying the different recipes I find. Sort of Julie and Julia style except less obsessive compulsive and way less French. BTW If you have not seen that movie go watch it now....I'll wait.....LOBSTA KILLA! : )

Anyways.... I started two days ago but I just created this blog today so bare with me as I learn the ins and outs of this...I promise you will not be disappointed! You can also use this blog as a "Pin Tested" of sorts. Basically, I will be your guinea pig so you don't have to try any shitty recipes! Stay tuned for my first "real" post about my culinary quests......