Frugal In Florida

So we had some friends over for the Birthday/Cinco de Mayo/Mother's Day/Air and Sea Show/Kentucky Derby Weekend ... and since it might be our last bash for such a weekend in this house, we went a little bit all out with food stuff. However, I was trying to be mindful since one of my friends is trying vegan style food right now, another is a body builder, yet another is a trainer and then of course, the majority of us our middle age with that middle age weight issue coming on ... So I opted to serve a few healthier things and kept the junk food (chips and dip) to a minimum. It didn't help that Hubby served up a nice Spinach and Artichoke Dip ... but at least I said no to the bean dip that we are so in famous for. I opted to make the cucumber and tomato salad, but I wanted it to be HEALTHY and SUGAR FREE but still yummy.  This totally worked out in my favor!  I will say, if you like that syrupy stuff, this is NOT the recipe for you. BUT if you are looking for a healt...

Ok, real quick ... which is correct, Ketchup or Catsup? Ketchup gets my vote. Sorry. So, when I made the cocktail sauce a few weeks ago, I was squeezing the balance of the Heinz Ketchup out (which leads me to the next question: Heinz or Hunts? I'm a Heinz girl) and I made a "mental note" to myself to get Ketchup the next time I was out ... which of course, a "mental note" in the middle of Christmas day is NOT a good thing ... I remembered that I pinned a ketchup link a LONG time ago ... so I went digging around and decided to give it a shot ... But of course, I had to do it my way ... which entailed DOUBLING the recipe and a few other things :D 2 cans of tomato paste 2 tbs Agave (honestly, they were a little under each measure) 1/2 cup vinegar 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder a dash of salt to taste in a large saucepan, heat all ingredients, stirring well to incorporate, taste once heated and adjust seasonings if needed. I personally d...

I posted this recipe quite a while back and I've made it a time or two since, even though it's been on the menu quite a few times (hey, I'm honest, the menu is not set in stone!) ... so the last time I made it, I followed the directions a little more carefully and will have to say ... YUM  ... YUM ... YUM ... The cornstarch made ALL the difference in the world ... who would have thought? :-) So this is the NEW and IMPROVED, rather, than revised Bangin Shrimp recipe ... hop to and go make it! 1lb shrimp (I had to peel and devein ... I do both the top and the underside deveining). Avoid the salad shrimp at all costs, otherwise you will be flipping them in seconds and they will overcook 2 to 3 tbs cornstarch with a sprinkle of black pepper 5 tbs of  mayo ... are you making your own yet?? 3 tbs sweet chili sauce 1 tbs of Sriracha sauce 3/4 head of shredded iceberg lettuce 2 handfuls of shredded coleslaw mix Thin sliced green onions (greeny part) ... t...