wander+sketch

this was inspired by a dinner we had at a generic overpriced sea food restaurant in perdido key. i’ll look past how weak their drinks were and share this delicious combination! the sweet coconut and sweet mango in the chutney go together perfectly. if you don’t like fruity dinners this isn’t for you.

INGREDIENTS:

COCONUT SHRIMP
– 1 1/2 cups sweetened shredded coconut
– 1 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
– 2 large egg whites
– 2 pounds shrimp, peeled with tails on
– sea salt and pepper
– vegetable oil

MANGO CHUTNEY
– 2 mangoes, peeled and diced
– 1 red bell pepper, diced
– 1 red onion, diced
– one 2 inch piece of ginger, grated
– 3/4 cup light brown sugar
– 1 teaspoon cinnamon
– 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
– 2 tablespoons lemon juice

heat a pot over medium heat and add all the ingredients for the mango chutney. stir over heat until the mixture begins to bubble. reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring often. make sure the chutney doesn’t overcook or stick to the pot! remove from heat and let cool.

while the chutney cooks, set up your dipping station! begin by tossing the shrimp in some sea salt and pepper to coat. put the egg whites in one bowl and beat. pulse the coconut and breadcrumbs in a food processor until the coconut breaks up and it is well combined – put that in another bowl. holding the tails, dip the shrimp in the egg whites, then coat with the breadcrumb/coconut mixture. lay it on thick.

in a deep pan, heat about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil over medium heat. in small batches, fry the shrimp – watch the first side for about 2 minutes, flip, and watch the opposite side for about 2 minutes too. when the coconut is nicely browned, they should be done!

serve the shrimp with the mango chutney dipping sauce. EAT IT.

make this pizza!

i won’t tell you how. make your own crust or buy crust pre-made. can’t really say to use one cup of cheese or two. just put some combination of the following ingredients and bake!

– olive oil
– balsamic vinegar caramelized onions (one onion chopped)
– prosciutto
– arugula
– gorgonzola

and if its the right time of the year, and if you are lucky enough to know someone with a tree in their yard, ADD LOTS OF FIGS!

SWEET!

now that i can sort of straighten my elbow from the time i fell when i first tried skateboarding, it is time to move on and try-try again. owen got me this board and it is so awesome. HOT PINK! WOOD GRAIN! MARS ATTACKS-esque ALIEN! the skate shop in new orleans was drained of all the cheaper inventory so owen got hooked up with all the best parts (which also happened to ONLY be available in HOT PINK) so it rides like a dream and its pretty (my only criteria). i was able to travel (although i probably looked like a fool trying to balance myself) from our house to the staring extension successfully, which is very smooth and fun to ride on! i have to catch up with owen now…