I have not grilled since New year's Eve (Moink Balls). There is a grill on the property I am living on, but we have had late nights getting started cooking, so last night was my first island grilling experience. This is an old city, lots of wood, and almost no US style infrastructure for fighting fires. So it is discouraged to grill once it gets dark. But, as I said, last night we planned a little better and it was my time to cook. Nothing special,
One of the things I brought from home was a bottle of the handcrafted one jar at a time, THE ORIGINAL ROASTED RASPBERRY CHIPOTLE SAUCE (that's what the bottle looks like, next to the autographed picture of me with Bernadette Peters... I only brought the sauce, not the signed photo). I have made no secret of my love for the sauce. Even when I used up the freebies they had sent, I found a store in KC where I could buy it. For the cynics among you (Buffalo Dick), Isn't the fact that I bought a bottle and hauled it 1,500 miles to be a part of my first island cook a testament to what I feel about the taste... If you see some... BUY SOME! (and then mail me a bottle, I am sure it is not here, and I will be out soon).
But I digress...
I also added some of my home made Cajun spice mix I had brought from home, little pepper (OK, a lot of pepper), Cinnamon, garlic, and more... will do a post on my mixing recipe soon).
mixed well. Even though it looks like I used a frying pan to cook them, in fact, it was just to mix in... I have very limited amounts of cooking supplies, so everything is doing double duty.
Pop the little beauties on some wooden skewers that I had soaked in water for about 30 minutes.
Grill... Direct heat for 3 minutes per side. I added a bit of lime zest and kosher salt mix.
I grilled an onion, red pepper mozzarella "pie" that I will blog about tomorrow (topped with some sliced tomatoes).
Plated the shrimp with a slice of the "pie" and some rice.
And of course, I made enough to party with our new friends...Left to right, Suzie, manager of the property I live at, Monica, our neighbor in the unit next to us, Bill, Co-manager with Suzie (and her husband) and Jackie. Notice all the liqueur bottles. We enjoyed a bottle of white, bottle of red, a bit of 151 rum (hic), and not sure what it is that Bill had for us at the end, but I am sure I drank some!
I hear that much of the East Coast is getting socked by a late winter storm...
Will try to find a bit of time to worry about you all...
Really I will...
honest...
have you ever been lied to by a man?
Stay warm and safe!
It looks just nasty outside. Big chunks of snow are coming down. But it warms my heart to see all of you guys having such a great time in sunny VI.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect dish to start your island grilling!! Glad you are making new friends in your new cul-de-sac!!
ReplyDeleteI bet they're all glad to see you move into the neighborhood! The shrimp look fabulous.
ReplyDeleteLove that first picture! That is one happy grilling man!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that ya'll are having fun and making new friends so quickly! Of course it doesn't surprise me, with ya'll being such a lovable couple and all. 151 rum, now that's a party! The shrimp look divine and I'm sure that everyone enjoyed them! Let the good times roll, cher!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you guys are living it up! Looks like a tough life ;)
ReplyDeleteThat shrimp dish looks awesome! Love the sauce you put on it.
I've been slowly but surely reading my way through the Arnaud book and I love it! I promise to cook something from it SOON!
The food looks great and the shirt tells me your adapting quickly :). Let me know if you need an assistant.
ReplyDeleteThat sauce sounds awesome, I love raspberry.
ReplyDeleteHeh, here in Boston we just got rain, which doesn't bother me at all. Not that I wouldn't rather be down there!
looks really good!... and as for the storm... as my son was telling me his tales of woe... Albany NY made the national news with its snow... I sighed... I complained about our 50 degree weather here in south Georgia... do wish I was further south in the VI though!
ReplyDeletesend me an e mail I will send you some recipes - here is a step by step on the salad with yucca - http://alittlebitofchristo.blogspot.com/2009/06/tropical-downpour.html
ReplyDeleteLooks great!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you're having fun. I bet your neighbors hope you don't move from there! And what's up with the word verification? I read the other day that you hated word verification! LOL
ReplyDeleteWow Dave the shrimp looks fantastic! What a great way to kick off island grilling! Wish I were there! New York is supposed to get up to 10 inches of snow...oh well, guess I'll use my time wisely and bake! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat way to break in the grill and start the island cooking. If I had a private jet, a personal pilot, a swiss bank account, personal servants and a day off from work, I'd be flying down to try some of that shrimp!
ReplyDeletewow that's a lot of shrimps! they look really juicy!
ReplyDeleteThis looks delicious and being in the VI doesn't sound bad either. Wish we could get the grill out here but, we'd have to shovel all the snow first. Have a good time!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun. My jaw dropped when I saw how much shrimp you were grilling. It closed again when I saw how many people you were feeding :-). You really shouldn't be such a hermit.
ReplyDeleteNo grilling after dark? Arrrrrrgggghh! I'd have to get a night job.
ReplyDeleteLook at you showing off in shorts! PUNK!!! ;) :) ;)
Goldammer Roy! I'm no cynic! This stuff is available from God knows how many companies! I am slowly coming to realize fruit based sauces have merit, in given applications.. Sounds like you made fast friends in your new digs...you will enjoy!
ReplyDeleteLooks wonderful - the food, the drink, the new friends and especially the fact that you are wearing shorts while I freeze my butt off over here in Florida! If this keeps up I may be knocking at your door soon, ready for company? :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the new look, the template, and it sounds like you are enjoying what life is throwing at you now. Man, I am envious….it looks so nice there.
ReplyDeletehow nice! i'm going to be thinking about you while i shovel off my car tomorrow, lol!
ReplyDeleteYay, back to the grill! Looks like you're just jumping right into things there. :)
ReplyDeleteRegarding the chicken alla griglia ... definitely make it with boneless and/or skinless chicken. I used bone-in, skin-on because that's what the hubby prefers, and I thought it would stay juicier in the oven. Also, the skin gets nice and crispy, although I only ate a small bite (bathing suit season is right around the corner).
I prefer boneless, skinless chicken, so I'll be trying the recipe that way as soon as we get enough snow off the deck so we can grill. Please let me know if you give it a try!
Hey! I just heard about your move. It sounds like you got out just in time. Looking forward to your new home...
ReplyDeleteBest of luck and happy grilling in your new island home! Those shrimps look great.
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to get your hands on a grill. I am sure there were some withdrawls going on, being in a warm climate and not having fire to cook with. The shrimp looks and sounds delicious!
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