Every Once In a While

Maybe every 6 months the husband mentions he would like to try a new recipe and fix supper.  Well, you don't have to say it twice.  I love setting on the couch working on my "at the moment" project.  Of course if I'm counting stitches I can get a little "bitchy" when he keeps asking me questions about where something is or how he should chop, slice or dice something.  In all fairness what he asks is what I do out of habit or 51 years in the kitchen plus 16  years of watching and learning from my mom.  I do give Dick credit for at least wanting to try "every once in  while". 

A few days ago he started searching recipes he had been saving from Pinterest (yes!  he loves Pinterest)  which is a good thing because he does find some nice projects for around Cook'n by the Creek.  Once he found the one he was looking for he copied it and asked what we had and what he would need to buy.  Absolutely nothing, we had all the ingredients including a pound of Texas Bay x-large shrimp.  I did help him clean the shrimp, it is a nasty job and I like to make sure the vein is out of the shrimp completely.  He shelled and I deveined.  Back to the couch I went.  He even made the Jasmine Rice all by himself, no help or asking how.  The man read the directions, how about it?
The house was smelling might fine about 10 minutes before everything was ready.  From the orange zest (he did zest the orange) to the thyme is was a wonderful combination.  I didn't get the dinner call until it was ready for me to set down and eat, even with a glass of Niagara Wine.  I could get use to this kinda treatment but won't.  Remember this is an "every once in a while" occurrence.  Let's see, we would be in rough shape if I had the "every once in a while" attitude.  Lucky us, I love to cook, bake and eat. 

Dinner prepared by the husband complete with wine and beer.
He did get lucky!  Tonya Peck delivered a surprise that just
happened to top of the meal.  Fresh Cream Puffs, what better
ending another glass of wine and a Cream Puff.  The filling was
delicious.  Request for the recipe sent.

Let me tell ya, the shrimp in the butter sauce was delicious.  So much so that it is in the recipe box for the next time we have shrimp.  I'm also thinking it would be great with Scallops or a white fish such as cod or haddock.  I bet chicken would be could this was too.  Yes, it was that good and I will share it.

Brown Sugar Shrimp with Orange Butter Sauce:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1/2 tsp thyme
1 TBSP brown sugar
zest of an orange
1 cloves of garlic minced fine
1-2 pounds of cleaned shrimp
salt and pepper to taste

In a medium skillet heat butter over low heat, add thyme, brown sugar and stir for 5 min.  Remove from heat and stir in orange zest, pour into a bowl and let rest while you prepare the shrimp.  In the same pan add garlic and saute for 1 min or until it is soft.  Add shrimp and cook for 3-5 min.  Strain sauce and pour over shrimp, simmer for 1 minute. 
Serve over rice.

Happy Valentine's Day, if you are in the Northeast extra sweets might help you stay warm or a bottle of wine.  If you are in need of a good one give Niagara a try from Lakewood Winery in Watkins Glen, NY.  It is sold in some liquor stores around the area.