Shrimp Étouffée

Sounds fancy right? With Brian's new job he is having to work a few Saturday's until the end of busy season, so this past weekend I wanted to fix a special dinner for when he got home.

I started looking through my Cooking Light 2009 Cookbook my mom got me for Christmas. I love this thing. I have made several really yummy dishes and have a lot more I want to try. Winner: Shrimp Étouffée. “Étouffée” is the French word for “smothered,” and you know how I like things smothered. It kind of reminded me a Jambalaya upon reading the ingredients - just no sausage, which was good because I do not like sausage. I only made a few variations from the recipe.

Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 1 1/4 cups étouffée and 2/3 cup rice)

Ingredients
4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 bay leaf *did not use- did not have one
1/3 cup butter, divided
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (about 2 1/4 ounces)* I used 1/4 all-purpose, 1/4 whole wheat
Cooking spray
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2/3 cup diced celery
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper *just used green
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
3/4 cup water
1/4 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon salt-free Cajun seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup chopped green onions
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 30 shrimp)
4 cups hot cooked long-grain rice *used brown rice

Preparation
1. Combine first 4 ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a simmer. Cover and remove from heat.

2. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Lightly spoon flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Add flour to pan; cook 8 minutes or until very brown, stirring constantly with a whisk. Remove from heat. Add 1 cup broth mixture to pan; stir with a whisk until smooth. Add remaining 3 cups broth mixture, stirring with a whisk until smooth; set aside.

3. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon butter in a large Dutch oven coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add 1 1/2 cups onion, celery, and bell peppers to pan; cook 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender and onion is golden brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in 3/4 cup water, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add tomato paste, Cajun seasoning, garlic, salt, black pepper, and red pepper to onion mixture; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add reserved broth-flour mixture and Worcestershire sauce to pan, stirring well to combine; bring to a simmer. Cook 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add green onions, 1/4 cup parsley, and shrimp; cook 3 minutes or until shrimp are done. Discard bay leaf. Serve over rice. Sprinkle each serving with 2 teaspoons remaining parsley, if desired.

Here is a picture how it is suppose to look:

And here is how mine turned out:

Brian and I both enjoyed it a lot and if thought it was even better leftover, eaten the next day. And in case you are curious, here is the nutritional marks.

Nutritional Information
Calories:395 (28% from fat)
Fat:12.2g (sat 6.9g,mono 3g,poly 1.1g)
Protein:22.6g
Carbohydrate:47.9g
Fiber:3.6g
Cholesterol:142mg
Iron:4.9mg
Sodium:655mg
Calcium:102mg

Home Improvements: LIVING ROOM

Brian and I have already done a good bit of 'improvement' to the living room area since we have been married. I wish I would have taken a picture of it the week before our wedding as a good reference.

The room is pretty long yet a bit narrow. Brian and his roommates had 2 loveseats and a leather recliner- that were either purchased from Goodwill or had been donated to him. The wall decor consisted of a large University of Georgia flag pinned to the wall, and pictures of Tom Cruise in Top Gun and Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator. 100% Bachelor Pad.

Post wedding, the loveseats have either been retired to the bonus room or donated back to Goodwill and the pictures have given to Brian's brother who is in college.

We have recently given this room a little more attention, and the small additions have made a big difference.

Over our sofa we had a large clock hanging. I really loved this concept but it just wasn't the right size.

We found this picture at World Market and the yellow pillows from Target.

The area behind the sofa towards the front door was lacking spazz. I could not figure out what I wanted to do here. A plant? A mirror? We found this gem of a case from Hobby Lobby.

I love how the doors slide open and closed. Now, what to put in it?? And the clock that was over the sofa was moved here. I like this much better.

Brian originally got the entertainment center/stand from Goodwill back well before we meet. We have been wanting to replace it but that wall is slightly narrow and did not want to risk 'boxing' in that area with a large entertainment center with the sides, even though we love those.

We found this guy a few weeks ago from Home Goods.

I love bookcases and knew I wanted one, but it had to be open in the back and sides. We found one at American Signature Furniture a few months back that I feel in love with. My handy man put it together with ease.

But decorating is not a strong point of mine. I think it could still use some work.

To really see the changes this room has undergone, here is a picture of the room when Brian purchased the house.

And this is what it looks like now.

There are still a few more areas in this room that needs some attention, but I feel we have made some major progress. Suggestions for what to do over the tv area?

Banana Pudding Milkshake

I think I might have died and gone to heaven. This is true, I have checked and confirmed. Brian came home last night and informed me that Chickfila now has a Banana Pudding Milkshake.

I cannot wait to try it! Anyone up for slipping one soon? There might be fruit in there but there is nothing healthy about this treat.

Welcome Jackson David Hooten

I am thrilled to share that last Friday our friends Jake and Lindsay Hooten welcomed their sweet baby born into the world.

Jackson was born at 7:01pm, weighing 8lbs 9oz with a full head of hair, that likes to be styled in a mohawk.

Mommy and Baby, as well as Daddy, are all doing well and get to go home today! I haven't been able to see the little monkey yet but will hopefully get too real soon. Congrats on your beautiful family sweet friends.