Sammy's Wabo Shrimp

Are your weekends as crazy as mine?  I don't know what happens to me....I close my eyes on Friday night and wake up Monday morning.  Somewhere in between, I go on a path of crazy twists and turns.

This past Saturday morning, I had everything planned out to start my spring cleaning.  I had my list of cleaning supplies to purchase, arranged my boxes for Goodwill...I had my game plan in order (or so I thought).

I started with taking our gigantor mattress cover to the laun-dro-mat (so I don't break my washer by over stuffing it...again).  I started up the commercial washer and saw it was going to take 30 minutes.  So, what could I do for 30 minutes?  I knew I needed to purchase some gift wrapping paper and other household essentials, so I drove across the street to the "Dollar Tree" discount store.

I grabbed my wrapping paper and then did what I knew I shouldn't do...start wandering down the aisles.  I stopped at the books.  I just finished my last book on the bus and needed some new reading material.  A very colorful book caught my eye...a cookbook by Sammy Hagar!  My first thought was "when did Sammy Hagar write a cookbook?"  I glanced through the book and was mesmerized. He had recipes from his times in Cabo, Hawaii and California, all in their own chapters.

My time was running out for the washer and I needed to get going.  I grabbed the book...it was only $1.00, why not?

I retrieved my now clean mattress pad and headed to my favorite salon for a little mani-pedi and quiet mommy time.  I sat there for the next hour reading my new cookbook from cover to cover and couldn't believe what a great book this was.  My passion to cook was ignited again with a whole new excitement.  More so, I was incredibly impressed at what a "foodie" Sammy is...I had no idea.  

He tells amazing stories from the road, his music career, his homes and his family history.

The only drawback was many of his recipes needed various alcohol, liqueurs, and spirits that I don't normally purchase....I'm just a simple Pinot Noir girl here.

Well, long story short...I ditched my spring cleaning "to do" list and cooked his recipes all weekend...and I had the best time.  Of course, when I hit the liquor store, I had to buy his "Cabo Wabo Tequila", it's the least I could do since I only spent $1.00 on his cookbook.  To be perfectly honest, I ended up spending $97.00 there to make some of the dishes.  My daughter came home, opened the cabinet and said "when did you have a party?"....Best cooking weekend ever, priceless!

This shrimp dish is so, so good!!  I served it over my Mexican sour cream-cheesy rice.  Cheers!

Sammy's Wabo Shrimp

Courtesy of Sammy Hagar

24 large fresh shrimp, peeled

Juice of 3 limes

3 shots of tequila

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 jalapeno chiles, chopped

salt

pepper

2 Tbl peanut oil

Mix all ingredients except for peanut oil in a large bowl; cover and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Heat the oil in a skillet or wok. Strain the shrimp and reserve the marinade.  Throw the shrimp into the hot pan and cook them fast, just until they start turning pink.  Remove the shrimp and set them aside.  Pour the marinade into the pan and simmer until the liquid reduces by half.  Return the shrimp to the pan and simmer until they're cooked through, about 3 minutes.  

One Year Ago: Lemon-Blueberry Buckle

Two Years Ago: Sweet Samoas Cake

Three Years Ago: Creamy Baja Avocado Pasta

Four Years Ago:  Taco (Tortilla Bowl) Salad

"The" Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad and When In Rome

We are now at the end of April and someone please tell me how 4 months of this year have already gone by.  Summer is upon us (or trying to in Colorado that is).  Our weekend Farmer's Market has opened up and all the farms around us are blossoming with beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables.

On those weekends when we are snowed in, a good movie is always in order.  "When In Rome", has to be in my top ten list...I know, I have about 100 movies in "my top 10". 

When In Rome is positively hilarious.  Quick witted silliness that will have you laughing until you cry.  In the beginning of the movie there is a classic line from Kristin Bell..."when you broke up with me in the Applebee's".  Ever since we first saw this movie it stuck..."the" Applebee's.  You have to see the movie to appreciate the line.

At any rate, it reminded me how much I love "the Applebee's" Oriental Chicken Salad.  Our Applebee's closed here, but thanks to the magic of internet surfing, Epicurious did a beautiful take on recreating the copycat recipe. 

I love, love this salad, especially when I get to hit the farmer's markets and load it up with all fresh ingredients!  My daughter not only had a second helping for dinner one night, she made it again for her lunch the next day.

"The" Applebee's Oriental Chicken Salad

Adapted from Epicurious.com

Oriental Dressing:

1/2 cup honey

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 Tbl dijon mustard

Salad:

3 cups chopped romaine lettuce

1 cup red cabbage

1 cup Napa cabbage

1/2 carrot, julienned or shredded

1 green onion

1 Tbl sliced almons

1/3 cup "Fresh Gourmet" wonton strips

Chicken:

Tyson Frozen Southern Breast Tenderloins, baked to package directions and diced

(you could make your own chicken from scratch, if you have the time and desire)

Blend together all the ingredients for dressing in a small bowl with an electric mixer.  Put dressing in refrigerator to chill while you prepare the salad.

In a very large bowl, prepare salad by tossing the chopped romaine with the chopped red cabbage, Napa cabbage, carrots, and diced cooked, green onions, and cooled chicken.  Toast almonds in a small skillet over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until light brown.  Sprinkle toasted almonds over the salad, and toss with prepared dressing.  Plate the salad and top with wonton strips.

Enjoy!

One Year Ago: Bundt Pan Chicken

Two Years Ago: Alabama White Barbecue Sauce

Three Years Ago: Mayan Chocolate Cookies

Four Years Ago: Pizzette and Soup