Thursday, January 12, 2017

Fried Shrimp w/ Roasted Butternut Squash and Purple Passion Asparagus

Dinner Tonight: Fried Shrimp w/ Roasted Butternut Squash and Purple Passion Asparagus







For Breakfast this morning I made a favorite, Skillet Potatoes and Ham. I used 1 package of Simply Potatoes
Steakhouse Seasoned Diced Potatoes and a package of Meijer Diced Ham to prepare it. Just cook the Potatoes according to the package instructions and with about 5 minutes of cooking time left add the Diced Ham. I topped everything with a sprinkle of Sargento Reduced Fat Shredded Sharp Cheddar and a fried Sunny Side Up Egg. After Breakfast I had to get ready to go to the Funeral Home. A friend of mine I used to work with had passed away. Warm weather out there to be January. Raining but the low was only 54 degrees overnight and had a  high in the low 60's! For Dinner tonight I prepared Fried Shrimp w/ Roasted Butternut Squash and Purple Passion Asparagus.







While at Kroger yesterday they were just bringing out more of the huge Freshwater Shrimp, and i just can't pass those up! I rinsed them off in cold water and removed the shells, they were already deveined. To prepare these I’m using McCormick Golden Dipt Cracker Meal Seafood Fry Mix, first time I tried this one.












Poured about 1 inch of olive oil into large skillet. Heat oil to 350°F on medium heat. I then took a 1/2 cup of the Cracker Meal Mix in a Hefty Zip Lock Plastic Bag. Take the peeled shrimp, 3 at a time and place them in the bag and shake until Shrimp had a nice coating on them. Had all the Shrimp coated I then began to fry them. Frying them about 3 minutes the shrimp, a few pieces at a time, in the hot oil until light golden brown turning after 1 1/2 minutes. Drain on paper towel lined plate . The McCormick Cracker Meal Mix was excellent! Nice crunch and seasoning!









Then for one side I prepared some Roasted Butternut Squash, easy recipe for some delicious Butternut Squash! This has quickly become a family favorite. I purchased 2 small packages of Diced Butternut Squash at Kroger. They sell packages of it that they dice up. This is a lot easier than peeling and seeding one yourself, especially if you don’t have a good knife to cut it. I’ll need; 2 packages of Diced Butternut Squash, Crumbled Bacon Bits, 2 tablespoons Extra Light Olive Oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick Grinder Sea Salt, and 1 teaspoon McCormick Grinder Peppercorn Medley.









To prepare it; Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the Squash on a sheet pan and drizzle with the Olive Oil, Salt, and Peppercorn and toss well. Arrange the squash in one layer and season and sprinkle with the Crumbled Bacon. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, until the Squash is tender, turning once with a spatula. And done, very easy to prepare. With the small amount of Seasoning, Bacon and Olive Oil, it really brings out the flavor of Butternut Squash! 









For a side dish I had picked up some more of the Purple Passion Asparagus at Meijer. Second time we've had this. It tastes  like Green Asparagus but it’s less fibrous and sweeter due to a higher sugar content. I prepared it the same way as the Roasted Asparagus I’ve made before. I’ll need; 1 bunch of Purple Asparagus (fibrous bases removed), 1 Tablespoon of Crumbled Bacon or Bacon Bits, Ground Garlic Salt, Sea Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper, and 1 tbsp Extra Light Olive Oil.











To prepare it is easy; Preheat the oven to 400F. Place asparagus in a baking tray sheet. Add the bacon, garlic salt, salt, pepper, and olive oil and toss to coat. Bake for 12 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool a couple of minutes and serve! Comes out tender and that slight sweet taste to it. Really like this over the Green Asparagus! For Dessert later a Weight Watcher’s Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Bar.












McCormick Cracker Meal Seafood Fry Mix

Cracker Meal Seafood Fry Mix adds extra crunchiness to fried and baked foods. All ingredients have been specially selected to provide a superior coating that seals in natural juices for fish, seafood, poultry, meats and vegetables.

Ingredients
Enriched Bleached Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, And Folic Acid), Whey (Milk), Dextrose, And Soybean Oil.

Serving size
1/4 cup Mix (32g)

All You Need
1/2 cup Cracker Meal
1 lb. Fish or Seafood*
Water or Milk
Vegetable Oil
Directions
1. POUR Cracker Meal into shallow dish or large plastic bag. Moisten fish, cut into serving-size pieces, or seafood with water or milk. Shake off excess.
2. COAT fish, several pieces at a time, evenly with Cracker Meal. Let stand 5 minutes. Discard any remaining Cracker Meal. Fry as directed below. Serve with McCormick® Cocktail Sauce or Tartar Sauce. Use the entire package to coat 4 lbs. fish or seafood.

*Best with tilapia, trout, catfish, shrimp, or scallops. Also try with shucked oysters and clams, or soft-shell crabs (pierce several times before coating).

Pan Fry: Pour oil to a depth of 1/4 inch in a large skillet; heat to 350°F on medium heat. Fry fish, in batches, 2 to 4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Drain on paper towels.

Oven Fry: Cover bottom of shallow baking pan with melted butter.  Arrange fish or seafood in a single layer in pan; turn to coat with butter. Bake in preheated 425ºF oven 10 to 20 minutes until golden brown around edges and fish flakes easily with a fork.

Flavorful Tips:
• For a thicker coating, dip fish in a mixture of 3 tbsp. milk and 2 beaten eggs before coating with Cracker Meal.
• Coat boneless skinless chicken breast halves or chicken parts as directed. Bake in 400ºF oven 20 to 30 minutes for chicken breast halves or 45 to 50 minutes for chicken parts.
• Use Cracker Meal instead of bread crumbs when making meat loaf or meat balls.

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