Sunday, September 1, 2013

Shrimp on a Salt Block

Quiet little happy hours on the boat with my husband are going to be some of our favorite memories here in Charleston.  The sailboat has a grill but it is a little difficult to lean over and cook without the threat of losing a few goodies whenever a good wave tosses us about.  

The solution, a Himalayan salt block.  This is used to cook fresh meats and veggies either while it is on the grill or out on a table.  I heated the salt block on medium for a half an hour and then placed the salt block on a cutting board for easier reach.  Cover the warmed block with a little olive oil and then cook your food.  The flavors of the salt block's salt and minerals are incorporated into the food cooked. 

A Himalayan salt block/plate is harvested from ancient salt mines of the Himalayas.  Salt blocks add flavor onto food resulting in milder flavor than using ground table salt.  The salt is rich in trace minerals that add to the taste of your foods.  In addition to cooking on this great block, you can freeze the salt plate and serve cold items at a party and they will stay cold longer.  For example sorbets or cold appetizers like prosciutto and melon. :)




Here are the recipes I used...

These recipes will feed 4. You will need:

Coconut Shrimp Recipe:

-1/2 lb deveined shrimp
-1 spring onion 
- 4 tbsp. coconut rum
- 1 handful of shaved coconut

Lime Shrimp Recipe:

-1/2 lb deveined shrimp
-1 spring onion 
- 4 tbsp. tequila
-2 cloves of garlic 
-1 lime to squeeze over cooked shrimp before serving.

Use the above recipes to marinate your shrimp for at least an hour prior to cooking.


Grab a lb. of shrimp from your local grocery.



Marinate half of your shrimp in the tequila.


Pour your coconut rum over the other half.


Crush your garlic for the shrimp marinating in tequila.

 Both recipes call for spring onion.





Add your shaved coconut to the shrimp marinating in the coconut rum.


Voila!


Now to cook, place the salt block on a grill or in the oven on medium heat for 30 minutes. 



Remove the salt block from the grill and place it on a cutting board in an area where you would like to cook your food.


Lightly cover the salt block with olive oil and then place your food on the block to cook.



Turn your shrimp or meat once half of the shrimp has cooked.



Buy your Salt Block here or at William Sonoma online.






Bathing suit cover up is from J.Crew and sunglasses are from Ann Taylor.  I have posted similar items below, click on the image. 






There you have it, shrimp on a salt block.  Don't forget to splash the lime juice over the tequila-lime shrimp, it finishes so nicely.  There is a hint of salt flavor from the salt block so don't add any salt to your marinades.  

My husband said this was the best shrimp he has ever had.  It was pretty amazing and I felt like it would be difficult to overcook the shrimp.  I will be cooking some fish on this block soon for this very reason.



We finished the night on the bow of the boat enjoying each others company and watching boaters pass by.







Mark made sure we got home safely on the dinghy with his trusty head lamp.






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Friday, August 30, 2013

Treasure Town

Charleston is called the "Holy City" because of it's multitude of churches.  We continue to find new hidden gems in this city after only living here for a year and a half.  There is a great Churchyard of the Unitarian Church of Charleston that allows passage from Archdale Street to King Street in town.  

Some stumble upon the walkway via the entrance on King Street and find themselves in an unexpected fairyland.  Don't be afraid to enter the open gates and tiny side streets you may find walking about Charleston.  You will be glad you did.  












A hidden gem within a hidden gem.  This quote is so true.  Don't worry about everyone else's opinion, the only person you should listen to is yourself.  The happiest you will be is when you listen to your own needs and desires.  No one else's idea of how you should live your life or what you should do in life will ever make you as happy as your own dreams and wishes.  Always ask yourself, "Is this is what I want?"  Once you start listening to yourself, your whole world will be changed for the better.


My cousin Christine and her daughter Manon.


We arrived to the King Street entrance.  There were street performers at the gate waiting for us which added to the magical stroll through the Churchyard.















But the beauty is in the walking – we are betrayed by destinations. -Gwyn Thomas