the arugula files

Grilled Shrimp with Cilantro, Lime, and Peanuts

I've been getting a lot of mileage out of my grill this summer.  Marcus bought it on Craigslist for $20.  Not bad for a gas grill.  It's not fancy, and it's old, but, heck, it works. So far I've made steaks, burgers, lamb sausages, even tofu.  Up until now, I hadn't tried my hand at grilled shrimp.  I'm not sure what I'd been waiting for.  This dish is light and delicious, a perfect meal for a summer night.  Bonus: it took 15 minutes total to prepare (8 to prep and about 7 at the grill).  Any longer and the grill would have melted my face off.  Man, it was hot today.  

Grilling the shrimp in their shells protects them from the harsh heat of the grill and intensifies their flavor.  Make sure to watch them closely, as noted: they cook up fast, turning pink and lightly charred.  

"I do" Menu: Hooch (Strawberry and Rhubarb Infused Vodka)

"I blame the hooch," said my friend, Dave, who slept until 4:00 pm the day after my wedding.  The hooch he was talking about was a special concoction I learned from my sister: infusing vodka with strawberries and rhubarb.  It goes down fast and smooth (either shaken with ice or with a splash of club soda over ice), making it the perfect signature cocktail for our wedding. It's also seasonal.

Making hooch is not a task for the instant gratification crowd (i.e., me).  It takes a minimum of two weeks, feeding the vodka oodles of strawberries and rhubarb, but it's worth it: you end up with a sweet, pink drink that tastes more like strawberry juice than strawberry vodka. That's an endorsement as much as a warning.  Remember that this sweet nectar is actually vodka, so don't drink it all at once, or else you'll end up like my friend Dave: sleeping the day away.

"I Do" Menu: Cupcakes by Modern Domestic

 
I've mentioned here and there that Marcus and I are getting married. (THIS SATURDAY!)  When I tell people this, they  immediately start asking questions, like a prosecutor cross examines a witness on the stand: Where is the reception?  How long have you been engaged?  Where's your ring?  What does your dress look like?  How are you going to wear your hair? What are your colors?   Blah, blah, blah.  Let's get to the important stuff: What's to eat?