Orange Marmalade Shrimp Salad

Beautiful bite-size shrimp, dripping with a mixture of orange marmalade, cilantro, and fresh lime juice give this tangy appetizer or entrée so much lip-smacking goodness you just have to go back for more. Sprinkled with red pepper flakes and a dash of soy sauce, this marinated mixture smells and tastes delicious!

Ingredients:

- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbs orange marmalade
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 3 Tbs fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 Tbs olive oil
- 1/8 tsp. red pepper flakes (more if desired)
- 12 oz. bag frozen cooked salad shrimp, thawed and drained (tail off, peeled, and deveined)
- mandarin oranges
- 1, avocado (optional)

Combine first 6 ingredients. Remove 1/4 cup of the mixture, cover, and refrigerate. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to combine thoroughly with marinade. Refrigerate 30 minutes minimum (I left mine in over night). Remove from refrigerator and spoon/divide shrimp mixture on top of 4 plates of fresh spinach. Add mandarin orange segments to each salad. Drizzle remaining marinade on top of each plate and enjoy! A wonderful addition to this is freshly sliced avocado. Mmmmm! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"A positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible." - Anonymous

Avocado Egg Cups

EASY AS 1, 2, 3! 

Cut an avocado in half. Remove seed. Place each half inside of a ramekin. Break an egg into each hole. Season. Cover with a paper towel, and microwave for 1 1/2 minutes! Enjoy a protein-packed breakfast, lunch, or dinner! A meal in minutes, anytime of the day! 

"Keep the chocolate. I'll take an avocado please!" - Anonymous

Cheesy Bacon Cauliflower

Can't get your kids to eat cauliflower? That's all going to change! :) This loaded cauliflower with melted cheese, crisp bacon, and just the right about of herbs, will put this recipe at the top of your list!

Ingredients:

- 1 large head of Cauliflower (cut into bite-size pieces)
- 5 strips of bacon (I used Oscar Mayer Center Cut), divided - cooked and crumbled
- 3 Tbs fresh chopped chives
- 1 Tbs fresh chopped dill, plus a tad more to sprinkle on top
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup light sour cream
- 1 cup reduced-fat Mexican style shredded cheese (may use cheddar)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Place cauliflower in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1/4 cup water, cover, and microwave about 10 minutes, or until tender. Drain and set aside. In a large bowl, combine 3 strips of the crumbled bacon, chives, dill, salt, mayonnaise, sour cream, and cheese. Mix in cauliflower and combine well. Place cauliflower mixture into a baking dish and sprinkle remaining 2 strips of crumbled bacon on top. Bake for 15 or 20 minutes, until cheese is melted. Remove and sprinkle a little more fresh dill on top. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"If you're lucky enough to be different, don't ever change" 

- Taylor Swift

Butter-Basted Seasoned Rockfish

Basting is a cooking technique that allows you to keep your meat/fish very moist and tender by continually spooning sauce over the top while cooking. This melt-in-your mouth seasoned Rockfish recipe can be made with any of your favorite fish. Rockfish is in season here in Virginia Beach, therefore, I must buy! :)

Ingredients:

- 5, 6 oz. Rockfish (or your favorite fish) fillets (boneless, skinless)
- 4 Tbs butter
- 2 tsp. olive oil
- pinch salt
- pinch pepper
- pinch Old Bay Seasoning
- 1/3 cup half and half
- 1/3 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 Tbs lemon juice
- fresh dill

Heat a skillet over medium to high heat. Add butter and let it start to melt. Rub olive oil over fish fillets and sprinkle fish with salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. Place fish in skillet and let sear 4 to 5 minutes without touching it. While fish is searing, in a small bowl, whisk half and half, wine, and lemon juice. Turn fish over carefully. Add half and half mixture to skillet and start spooning the mixture over the fish, continually, for 3 more minutes. Remove fish to plate. Spoon a little more of the basting sauce over the top of the fish if desired, and sprinkle fish will fresh dill. Serve with rice or your favorite side. Enjoy! If you'd like a printer-friendly version of this recipe, Click Here.

"You can't start the next chapter in your life while re-reading the last one." - Anonymous