Fried Coconut Shrimp and Mashed Butternut Squash

So tonight we both felt like seafood, as you can't eat chicken and pork EVERY night!  I picked up some shrimp and coconut on my way home and couldn't help but grab a delicious butternut squash as I walked by the veggies! This is one of my favorite veggies but it is sad as it means Fall is fastly approaching.  I like to prep all my ingredients before I begin.  In one bowl I mix 3/4 cup of beer with one egg, in the next flour and in the last coconut.  I also have peeled my shrimp (about 30) and removed their tails as well as cut up my squash to get it boiling in the prepared water. 

I first coat the shrimp in the beer mixture, then the flour, beer mixture again and finally the coconut before setting aside on a cookie sheet.  Once done place in the fridge for about 20 minutes while you heat your vegetable oil on the stove.  Once the oil reaches about 350 degrees it is time to throw in the shrimp!  I do it in 2 to 3 batches and place on a plate lines in paper towels to help absorb some excess oil. 

Once the squash is fully boiled and soft (about half an hour) drain and return to the pan.  I use a potato masher to mash the squash and add 1/3 cup of packed brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of margarine and salt and pepper to taste!  Lastly it's time to place everything on a plate and.......

ENJOY!

Fresh Summer Salad

With all this heat lately no one really feels up to cooking but you still need dinner.  I love a great salad, and no not just a bowl of lettuce, a SALAD!!  These days you can find pretty much anything in a salad and many combo's you wouldn't typically think of pairing together.  My favorite is to add some fruit  and nuts to your veggies, especially berries! Below I chose a mix of romaine and red leaf lettuce with tomato's, cucumbers, black olives, pecans and raspberries to top it all off! Add a splash of Raspberry Vinaigrette and you have yourself a nice healthy cooling summer meal! And don't forget, you can always throw a piece of chicken or some leftover chicken you may have to add some protein to your dish.