 |
|
Thanks to Minute Maid® Pure Squeezed for sponsoring this post. Click here to see more of the discussion.
When you get married, and when you have kids something happens. People suddenly become compelled to give you advice, to repeat every cliché’ that could even remotely apply to your situation. Nathan and I let most of the advice slide right past us, tucking a few pieces of sage wisdom that caught our attention aside for later. One of the pieces of advice that repeated itself with the engagement, the wedding, and with each kid was to always date your spouse. Never forget the person you fell in love with.
For several years, one of Nathan’s days off during the week coincided with both kids being in school (or in school and in a Mother’s Day Out program) and Nathan and I took full advantage of that to have ‘day dates’ We would take the boat out and go fishing together, even though sometimes it was more Nathan fishing and me reading, it was still precious time together. Time to talk, to share, even just sit in silence – it was our Rachel and Nathan time. Over the past year, Nathan changed positions at work, and no longer had a day off during the week. Instead of taking friends up on the offers to watch the kids so we could go on a date, we would have family dates with other friends and their families. Those memories are precious and wonderful, but we missed our Nathan and Rachel time. This move, this new beginning, has brought a lot of changes to our lives, refreshed perspectives, and while he is home more, we still haven’t gotten our date nights back. I’ve decided to take things into my own hands. I’ve decided that I’m going to pick one night every month that will be our at home date night – no need for a babysitter or special planning. I’ll fix the kids a special early meal and then send them upstairs to watch a movie slumber party style in our game room. Once the kids are fully ensconced upstairs and we’ve laid down the “no kids downstairs/only call us if it’s an emergency/work it out yourselves” laws – I’ll set the table, light the candles and Nathan and I will sit in the dining room together with no electronics and eat, talk and enjoy each others company. I’ve already planned out our first at home date night meal! For our 8 year anniversary, I made my first spicy shrimp and rice dish, and it’s one that Nathan’s mentioned several times over the years, but I’ve yet to remake because the kids will eat shrimp, but definitely not spicy shrimp.
Nathan and I both love savory dishes and shrimp is always high up on our favorite foods lists.
One of the best things about this meal is that it’s quick to prepare, cook and plate – meaning less time in the kitchen, and more time together.
The shrimp is smoky and spicy with a slight sweetness, and jasmine rice is the perfect complement.
Spicy, smoky and sweet - this orange shrimp is a perfect dish for a romantic evening at home. Ingredients
Instructions
Rachel Says You can add a bit more depth to the flavor of your rice by toasting it lightly in a pan before cooking it (just a little tip) If your palate is a bit sensitive to heat, start with 1/2 a chipotle pepper - if it's still too hot, drizzle some honey over the shrimp to help alleviate the burn. �é A Southern Fairytale. All images & content are copyright protected. Please do not use my images without prior permission. If you want to republish this recipe, please re-write the recipe in your own words, or link back to this post for the recipe.
Do you and your significant other have date nights? How do you make sure to save time for each other? What’s your favorite at home date night recipe??
 April 29, 2013 - 10:37 AM
Yum!  April 30, 2013 - 11:51 AM
We love shrimp and spicy so this is a perfect combination for my family!  April 30, 2013 - 11:58 AM
Seems simple enough, will give this a go for dinner tomorrow. Trying to mix up my boring recipes and trying things that are new, but also simple to do  May 2, 2013 - 11:49 AM
While your day dates sounded wonderful, I really love your dates that take a little more planning. Smart to feel the littles early and then you two have time together      
It’s finally here! The California Avocado Cinco de Mayo Recipe Fiesta Link up and Giveaway is here!
Shawn and I have been gearing up for this for WEEKS – and we’re so excited to finally have it live!
What does that mean? It means that Shawn from I Wash, You Dry, the people from California Avocados, and I want to see your most delicious California Avocado recipes! If you’re in need of some inspiration – or just want something to drool at, here are a few recipes from my fellow California Avocado Ambassadors and myself. Dara, from Cookin’ Canuck, shared her drool-worthy Kicked-Up Avocado Margaritas
Kristen, from Dine and Dish, shared her refreshing and simple to make B-A-T (Bacon, Avocado, Tomato) Pasta Salad
Shawn, from I Wash, You Dry, shared her Avocado and Chorizo Stuffed Party Rolls
I shared my Spicy Pulled Pork Taquitos with Cilantro Avocado Dipping Sauce
Now – it’s y’all’s turn to get busy in the kitchen with some fresh California Avocados and share your most tempting Cinco de Mayo California Avocado recipe with US!Not only is this a chance to have some fun in the kitchen, share some yumminess, be inspired by others and bulk up your California Avocado recipe collection – there are some pretty spectacular prizes up for grabs, too! How do you join the fiesta? Here are the details:1. Get busy in the kitchen with California Avocados and create a Cinco de Mayo inspired recipe, then post it on your blog. You can enter up to 3 recipes, including ones that have previously been posted (as long as it has the information from #3 in it). If you don’t have a blog, don’t worry! You can leave your recipe in the comments section for a chance to win as well. 2. During the two weeks of the Link-Up Fiesta (April 24th – May 8th) come back to either A Southern Fairytale or I Wash You Dry to submit your link in the widget towards the bottom of this post. (As Shawn and I will both be picking separate winners from our own individual linky, make sure to enter your recipe on both sites for double the chance to win!!) Please leave a comment to let me know you linked up. 3. Somewhere in your post, please include the following, “Join A Southern Fairytale and I Wash, You Dry for the California Avocado Cinco de Mayo Recipe Fiesta, sponsored by the California Avocado Commission.” In your recipe ingredients list, you must include “California avocado(s)” as one of the ingredients. Both of these must be included in your post for a chance to win the giveaway, and it must link to A Southern Fairytale, I Wash, You Dry, and the California Avocado Commission. NOW! For the good stuff! The giveaway!!Our friends at the California Avocado Commission are giving party participants the chance to win over $1600 in giveaway items! The grand prize on each of our blogs will include one $500 USD American Express gift card and a California Avocado basket valued at $75 USD. The second prize on each of our blogs will include one $250 USD American Express gift card. Those are some pretty awesome party favors, right? 4. Do you want to help us spread the word on social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram? Of course you do, because what’s a fiesta without lots of friends? Here are a couple of ways y’all can share the love: Tweet about your avocado recipes, using the hashtag #CaAvoCincoFiesta. Encourage others to share their recipes, using the sample tweet below. Instagram: Add photos of your avocado recipes to your Instagram account, using the hashtag #CaAvoCincoFiesta. 5. OPTIONAL: If you’ve already linked up a recipe and would like to earn additional entries, leave separate comments for each of the steps listed below. If you already follow the California Avocado Commission, just let me know that in your comments. 1. Follow California Avocados on Twitter. Sample tweet: “Join @SthrnFairytale and @IWashYouDry for #CaAvoCincoFiesta! Share your @Ca_Avocados recipes. $1600 in prizes. Plz RT! http://bit.ly/YPwhab ” ….. The giveaway is open only to U.S. residents but, if you live elsewhere, please still feel free to share your avocado recipes. This recipe fiesta and link-up is open from April 24th, 2013 to 11:59 PM CST May 8th, 2013. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified via email, so please make sure your email address is correct. You will have 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be chosen. We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Share your favorite California avocado recipes with us (up to 3 per person).
 April 24, 2013 - 10:27 AM
“Join A Southern Fairytale and I Wash, You Dry for the California Avocado Cinco de Mayo Recipe Fiesta, sponsored by the California Avocado Commission.” http://peppermintandpaisley.com/2013/04/04/corn-tomato-and-avocado-salad/ April 24, 2013 - 11:35 AM
 April 25, 2013 - 1:07 PM
We are all linked up! Thanks for hosting this!  April 25, 2013 - 3:34 PM
What a fun fiesta! I’m linking my Yuzu Shrimp and Halibut Ceviche recipe for the party! I’m a big avocado fan! Wooohoo….Can’t wait to see what others’ are cooking amy [at] utry [dot] it April 25, 2013 - 3:34 PM
Following California Avocados on Twitter. amy [at] utry [dot] it  April 25, 2013 - 3:36 PM
Following California Avocados on Instagram amy [at] utry [dot] it April 25, 2013 - 3:37 PM
tweeted: amy [at] utry [dot] it April 25, 2013 - 3:49 PM
2ND recipe I’m sharing is Roasted Shrimp Salad with Thyme and Lemon Frico. amy [at] utry [dot] it April 25, 2013 - 3:55 PM
Last but not least, I’m sharing my Japanese Apple Salad recipe. Thank you so much for hosting.  April 25, 2013 - 6:02 PM
[...] two weeks of the Link-Up Fiesta (April 24th – May 8th) come back to either I Wash You Dry or Southern Fairytale to submit your link in the widget towards the bottom of this post. (Since Rachel and I will both [...] April 29, 2013 - 7:00 AM
[...] Fiesta Giveaway yet? I’m giving away over $800 in cash and prizes on my site, and Rachel from A Southern Fairytale is giving away over $800 in cash and prizes [...]  April 30, 2013 - 1:40 PM
I linked up my couscous salad that features gorgeous avocados. Yum! http://www.honestandtruly.com/2012/05/couscous-salad-tasty-tuesday/ April 30, 2013 - 1:51 PM
And of course my Rockin’ Guacamole April 30, 2013 - 1:52 PM
And yes, I follow CA_Avocados on Twitter April 30, 2013 - 1:52 PM
Plus I now follow them on Instagram!  May 2, 2013 - 3:42 AM
Awesome giveaway! Already following CA avocados on twitter! May 2, 2013 - 3:44 AM
Tweeted about the giveaway! https://twitter.com/damn_delicious/status/329878831882203136  May 2, 2013 - 5:52 AM
I know I’m not eligible for the giveaway but I just had to share my newest avocado recipe with you guys when I heard about your linky. I hope you like it! (It’s the one with the avocado frosting on the top!)  May 2, 2013 - 11:12 AM
We are seriously avocado obsessed at my house, I use them all the time! Just linked up an old recipe. Making something tomorrow to post before the deadline! May 2, 2013 - 11:14 AM
I follow California Avocados on Twitter  May 2, 2013 - 3:52 PM
Linked up my Brownies recipe May 2, 2013 - 3:53 PM
Follow California Avocados on Twitter – @mamasmoney May 2, 2013 - 3:53 PM
Follow California Avocados on Instagram – ckachelmuss May 2, 2013 - 3:54 PM
tweeted: https://twitter.com/mamasmoney/status/330061942955859968  May 5, 2013 - 10:58 AM
I linked three avocado posts.  May 5, 2013 - 9:27 PM
Just linked up my favorite salad with avocado dressing! thanks for a great contest!  May 8, 2013 - 1:04 AM
Linked up my avocado green smoothie! May 8, 2013 - 1:05 AM
I’m following California Avocados on Twitter. May 8, 2013 - 1:06 AM
Tweeted about this giveaway (which is awesome by the way) – https://twitter.com/cookingclassy1/status/332011768706629632  May 8, 2013 - 2:05 PM
Just added my Cowboy Caviar with Fresh Avocado! May 8, 2013 - 2:06 PM
Following California Avocados on Twitter! May 8, 2013 - 2:06 PM
Tweeted! https://twitter.com/emihill/status/332209372124041217 May 8, 2013 - 11:49 PM
I linked up my Salad with Grilled Chicken, Avocados and Tomatoes with Honey, Lime and Cilantro Vinaigrette. Thanks May 14, 2013 - 6:30 PM
[...] join I Wash You Dry and Southern Fairytale for the California Avocado Cinco de Mayo Recipe Fiesta, sponsored by the California [...] |
|
Design by:
