Baked Stuffed Shrimp

Upon joining the Dustin family several years ago, I became privy to the famous family recipe for Baked Stuffed Shrimp.  My father-in-law, Mark, is the man in charge during the holidays.  The whole process of making the shrimp takes several days, but it is SO worth it.  Everyone looks forward to enjoying them during Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Here are a few pictures to document the process.  Joe helped out with shelling and de-veining the JUMBO shrimp this year.  They are seriously huge.

Shrimp ears??

Like father, like son....These two couldn't be more alike. 

All done with step 1.

The shrimp shells go into the pot to simmer for hours with madeira wine, garlic, bay leaves,and lots of other yummy super secret stuff!  After hours of simmering, the mixture is strained.  Then, the liquid is stirred with a Ritz cracker mixture to complete the filling.   

Eacb shrimp is individually piped with the filling.  Then, they are placed "stuffing side down" on a baking sheet.  They can be refrigerated until they are ready to be baked. 

 

Yum!  As always...they were absolutely perfect.  Can't wait until the next holiday to enjoy them again!   Thanks, Mark, for all of your hard work.  I appreciate every bite!

2011 Cookie Extravaganza

      Yum, yum, yum....I am really glad my daily attire is yoga pants or leggings, because I'm pretty sure my jeans would be tight if I had to wear them.  On Sunday, I had a fun group of ladies over for my very first Christmas Cookie Exchange.  There were no boys allowed, and JB will tell you that I sequestered him to his office for the duration of the party.   It's more fun that way! 
      Everyone brought 6 dozen cookies or bars to swap and one dozen to sample at the party.  They are all delish, and I can't won't stop eating them.  So, let's take a look at some of the fabulous cookies and other yummy desserts everyone made.  (I apologize.  I didn't get a picture of every kind of cookie.  There was also peppermint bark, Frosted Brownies with PB Crispies, and Kiffles.)

Double Chocolate Espresso

Ricotta

Cream Cheese Almond

Turtle Tassies

Soft Molasses

Peppermint Kiss

Raspberry Jam Slices

Melting Snowmen

     There was lots of mingling and catching up with friends and family I don't get to see often.   In all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it was really nice to just sit and catch up with everyone. 

Here is a picture of my college girlfriends and sorority sisters, Ang and Shelly. 

Man, were we trouble in college together.  Ahhh...the stories I could tell!

These towels tell it all.  Thanks, Ang!

Chatting in the family room

Sisters!  Oh, they're both going to kill me for this picture!

Quality Control Testing...of course!

Everyone went home with a party favor and a recipe book full of all of the delicious goodies.

       Thank you everyone for coming!  So, I've had several friends ask me about the cookie exchange and what my favorite cookie was.  I just can't decide.  So, here's my question:  What is your all-time favorite Christmas cookie?  Leave your answer in the comment section!

     I put most of my cookies in the freezer, and I plan on bringing them up to Boston next week for Christmas to share.  SO, those of you in Boston...get your stretchy pants ready! 

Christmas Card....FAIL.

I have been seeing all of these cute examples of Christmas photo cards on different websites.  So, we tried to be kind of creative when taking our Christmas picture this year.  Unfortunately, our sign was too small and the wind was brutal and unforgiving.  This is only one bad example of how the photoshoot went.  We actually tried it many, many, many more times.  And each time was worse than the last, so we gave up.

 Quick, set the timer and run...and try not to trip over the rocks!

 Ugh...it's all tangled up!

 Just pretend to smile and be happy.

 Grrr...this was a stupid idea.

 It's flying away!

Merry Christmas!

To all of our friends and family, you will not be receiving this lovely sequence in the mail this year.  We will have to come up with a plan B.  It may not arrive until after Christmas.  In the meantime, enjoy these outtakes.