How to Cook a Shrimp Boil

May 16, 2013 by 4 Comments
Shrimp boil

A shrimp boil is one of my favorite ways to feed a crowd. A simple spice pack is added to water. Then boil potatoes, sausage, corn and shrimp.  Serve with melted butter for dipping and the shrimp boil will become your favorite party food. For my daughter's birthday in July, I decided that I wanted to do a shrimp boil for the food.  A shrimp boil is a one pot stop for dinner, which I decided would be a nice change from the usual hot dogs and burgers summer fare.  When the guest count came in at 30 people, though, I balked a little at the amount of shrimp I would need to boil! But I had it in my head that I wanted a shrimp boil so that was that. Shrimp boils consist of shrimp, corn, sausage and potatoes, all cooked in a big pot. I do this differently almost every time I make one.  The amounts called for are general -- use as much or little as you want of each.  Just make sure to cook in the proper order.  The times are also a general guideline.  Each pot will cook ... [read more]

Filed Under: 4th of July, Father's Day, Main Dish, Recipe, seafood Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Tuna Noodle Casserole

April 28, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Tuna Noodle Casserole

I know what you are thinking - Tuna Noodle Casserole?! YUCK!  That's what I used to think about this casserole so I set out to create a homemade tuna noodle casserole that your family will love.   The secret is a potato chip topping! So let's talk about casseroles for a second.  Casseroles get a bad rap, don't you think? I personally love casseroles especially if I can work in meat, a carb and a veggie to make a one pot meal.  Plus casseroles make amazing freezer meals! Whenever I make a casserole, I make two - one for dinner and one to freeze for later.  Casseroles can definitely be the star of your kitchen! A few years ago I decided that there had to be a way to make tuna noodle casserole appetizing.  So I set out  to create a recipe that didn't include canned soup and didn't taste like it came from a high school cafeteria.   This recipe is the result.  I thought it was pretty good, but I also was pretty sure that I was biased.  When my sister made and then ... [read more]

Filed Under: Fish, Main Dish, Recipe Tagged With: , ,

One Pot Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Velveeta Cheese

April 22, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Baked Macaroni and Cheese with Velveeta cheese

Baked macaroni and cheese is the quintessential comfort food.  This one pot recipe adds a touch of the American classic Velveeta cheese to create a smooth, creamy, and delicious recipe filled with Velveeta's Liquid Gold that the entire family will love. This is the first macaroni and cheese recipe to grace this site.  The truth is that I don't really like homemade mac and cheese.  I prefer the kind in a box - any box, really.  I could never find the right combination of cheeses. When I mentioned to my husband that I wanted to try a baked macaroni and cheese, he voted for Velveeta. I thought he might be on to something there.  I mean, it is after all Liquid Gold, right?!  We all know that Velveeta is amazing when melted for dips, but would it work to create a baked macaroni and cheese that would please my man? The answer is YES! He loved it. I actually ate it, even.  It's still not the boxed kind, but it was creamy and delicious ... [read more]

Filed Under: Main Dish, Pasta, Recipe, Side Dish Tagged With: , ,

Beer Can Chicken

March 30, 2013 by 30 Comments
Beer Can Chicken

Beer can chicken is our favorite way to cook chicken on the grill. Every time we use this recipe to cook a whole chicken,  it turns out moist and delicious. I always hope to have leftovers, but we rarely do! Living in Las Vegas we are lucky enough to be able to use our outdoor grill year round.  One of my favorite foods to cook on the grill, though, is Beer Can Chicken.  The skin comes out crisp on all sides  and the meat is perfectly moist. Don't let the "beer" can part fool you! You can use any kind of liquid you'd like - wine, water, soda, chicken broth, etc. In a small bowl, make your rub.  We use olive oil and spices, but any oil or even melted butter will work.  We generally use the same spices, but feel free to use your favorites. Even just salt and pepper alone results in a delicious grilled chicken. Prepare your chicken by removing all the innards.  Wash and pat dry, if you want.  Place the chicken on a platter. The best way to get flavor ... [read more]

Filed Under: BBQ, Chicken, Grill, Main Dish, Recipe Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Potato and Leek Soup

February 7, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Potato and Leek Soup from Growing Up Gabel @thegabels #recipe

Potato and leek soup is one of the easiest and most delicious soups you can make.  We generally make this during the summer when we can get potatoes and leeks from our local farmer.  Serve the soup with slow cooker dinner rolls and you don't even have to turn on the oven. I have been wanting to try Julia Child's potato and leek soup recipe.  So a few summers ago, even though it was over 100 degrees, I couldn't turn down the opportunity to make the recipe with potatoes and leeks we picked ourselves. We picked the produce in the morning and made soup in the evening.  Talk about farm to table! Our then 11 year old helped cook dinner once a week so she actually made the soup. She was very proud of her dinner and was begging our picky 4 year old to just try a little bit! It's amazing that water, potatoes, leeks, salt, and pepper make such a delicious meal. We figured out that it cost about $.75 to make a gigantic pot of soup. We added in a scoop of sour cream and served the ... [read more]

Filed Under: Main Dish, Recipe, Soup
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