Operation re-do the blog is nearly complete! Thanks for all your feedback! Some of the comments I got were about how messy my pictures were from yesterday… so tonight’s will make up for that, promise!
I’ve been thinking for weeks about what I would make for my Make It Better website recipe feature and really couldn’t decide. I knew I wanted to do something “pretty” and definitely something delicious and “springy”, but just couldn’t make up my mind! It finally came to me this weekend… and bear with me as it’s a many-ingredient recipe!
Sweet and Spicy Asian-Inspired Shrimp Salad with Wonton Crisps
Ingredients
* 1 pound shrimp, peeled (shortcut: use pre-cooked and thawed)
* 1 pound bay scallops (shortcut: use pre-cooked and thawed)
* 1 red bell pepper
* 1 yellow bell pepper
* 1 small head green cabbage
* 12 ounces frozen kernel corn or the kernels off 3 ears of corn (shortcut: use Trader Joe’s frozen roasted corn, thawed)
* 2 avocados, diced
* 1 Tablespoon sesame oil
* 1 teaspoon olive oil
* 1 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1 batch sweet and spicy dressing (recipe follows)
* 1/2 cup slivered almonds, toasted
* 3 eggroll wrappers (found in the produce section)
Sweet & Spicy Dressing Ingredients
* 1/4 cup reserved cooking liquid from shrimp and scallops
* 1/4 cup no sugar added apricot preserves
* 1 Tablespoon soy sauce
* 1/2 Tablespoon grated ginger
* 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
* 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
* 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Sriracha sauce (or other hot sauce)
* Juice of one lime
Salad directions
1. Heat a non-stick pan with the olive oil over high heat. Add the corn kernels and cook until browned. (For shortcut, just use a bag of Trader Joe’s roasted corn) Remove from heat and allow to cool.
2. While the corn is roasting, chop up the two peppers and the cabbage into small pieces.
3. Pre-heat oven to 475* and place the shrimp and scallops in one layer on a baking pan. Sprinkle with the sesame oil and garlic powder, stir well, then cook until done, about 7 minutes. Carefully remove the pan from the oven, drain and reserve the liquid from the pan. Immediately place the shrimp and scallops in a bowl, and refrigerate to cool. For shortcut: drizzle thawed shrimp and scallops with sesame oil and garlic powder. Stir well and allow to sit a few minutes before mixing more ingredients. Lower oven setting to 350*
4. *Make the dressing* Put the apricot preserves in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted, about 30 seconds on high power. Mix the remaining ingredients into the melted preserves, then using an immersion blender, blend until emulsified. Set aside.
5. Add the vegetables to the cooled shrimp and scallops. Toss well. Add the avocado and almonds, then top with the dressing and toss well again. Allow to chill at least 20 minutes before serving.
6. Make wonton crisps by cutting the eggroll wrappers into strips, and spraying lightly with cooking spray, then baking at 350* until browned and crispy.
7. Serve and enjoy!
I’m quite proud of myself for this one, if I say so myself! This salad was light, fresh, and refreshing, and will surely be in rotation for the summer. I’m thinking it would be just as great without the shrimp and scallops as a vegetarian option, or even with seasoned ground chicken… the possibilities are endless!
Now, your job: Help me decide which picture to submit for my article! You have two choices:
Choice 1:
Choice 2:
I won’t tell you which one I’m leaning towards… I’ll let you decide! Leave me your choice in the comments!
Have a wonderful Tuesday!
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Picture 2!! I love the spoon!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is´s last blog ..Coconut Cream Blondies.
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I like picture 1 – picture 2 makes your eye go to the spoon. It’s cute, but the focus should be on the food!
Love the new blog layout!
Christina´s last blog ..BSI Sour Cream Winner
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I like #1. I agree that the spoon is distracting in 2.
Runeatrepeat´s last blog ..Mex Meatless Monday – Taco Salad
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Personally I like choice 1. The tablecloth in choice 2 is a bit ruffled, and I don’t like how the wonton crisp has been cut.
Personally, I would have gone portrait on choice 1 with the stripes running vertically
But yeah, I like choice 1
FLG´s last blog ..Weekly Weigh-in: Late
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I like choice one. The dish kind of speaks for its self…….doesn’t need a lot of help!
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Choice 2. I love the spoon. It is a cute touch to the picture.
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Looks amazing! I’ll keep this in mind sans peanut (due to Zliten’s allergies). I vote for #1, they’re both pretty but the focus is on the food more in the first one.
quix´s last blog ..Look At The E-Lungs On Me
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choice one. i’m all for simplicity. the spoon is adorable, but i don’t like it in the picture. also, it seems like it would be difficult to eat shrimp and veggies with the baby spoon…you need a fork for that dish!
Tyler´s last blog ..Smoothie, Soba, and Sweets
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Choice #1. At first I couldn’t explain why and then I realized it- the point on the bowl. In the first picture it’s kinda pointing toward you and it makes the bowl look big and open. In the second the angle isn’t quite as flattering.
BTW- I can’t 100% remember how your blog was before (was it grey background) but I’m loving the look of it. After switching mine from a greenish background to white I think it does wonders for the photos. They just look brighter. So I’m definitely a fan of the new look.
j
Jackie´s last blog ..Mar-whaaaa?
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It looks delicious!!!
I choose option 1.
Have a great day Mara!
Lauren´s last blog ..Crash Into Me
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I love picture 2!
amanda´s last blog ..Las Vegas Food Porn
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#1!!!
Ally@Sweet & Savory´s last blog ..Coach’s Oats & Weekend Recap
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I like choice 2, with the shrimp prominantly displayed.
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I vote for #1 definitely. Your photos are SO good!
Rose´s last blog ..Artists You Should Know: Eric Janoski
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Definitely choice 1!!
Kelly @ Healthy Living With Kelly´s last blog ..Happy Birthday
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Number 1. They’re both color explosions, though. In a good way.
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This looks absolutely delicious, Mara! I might just have to try it soon as I just bought cabbage!
Definitely Choice 1 for the photo. I do like the second one, but I don’t focus as much on what’s IN the bowl when I look at it. The first one really draws me to the food. Hope that helps.
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog ..What, When, Why.
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choice 2!!
elise´s last blog ..Sunday snacks and moving answers
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Picture 1, definitely! Looks delicious!
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I’m definitely getting and loving the Springy feeling with the color scheme and background prints!! Even the food! This Asian totally loves what you did with the shrimp!! Sesame oil is the king of all Asian “Seasonings” because it adds so much flavor by just being an oil…I like to think of it as an Asian tahini.
MMMM yumm
Choice #1 is more gourmet and professional, but choice #2 is more welcoming…the spoon lets you feel like you could just dig in. But i’m a fan of #1 because i can see the details of the food better and there are fewer “distractions” from your dish!!
Michelle´s last blog ..Outsmarting Temptation Giveaway!
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They’re both good, but I prefer #2 with the spoon!
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No. 1 – the food looks fantastic all by itself!
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I like the first picture. And it looks absolutely DELICIOUS!
Jenn
Jenn (www.j3nn.net)´s last blog ..Zoom Zoom Zoom
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I like the second one with the spoon!
Biz´s last blog ..Love Note!
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Holy YUM!
That recipe looks amazing, girl
Both pics look incredible!
I´d choose number 2, though… Don´t ask me why!
Hahahaha
Have a great day, Maya!
Brazilian XOXO´s,
Gabriela
Gabriela @ Fro-Yo Lover´s last blog ..Hopi Hari-Themed
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That shrimp looks fabulous… the roasted corn is a genius idea!
Katie´s last blog ..Roasted Roots (and a Rusty Rut?)
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Great pics Mara! And I too would say Pic 1. More focus on that yummy salad! Holy Yum!!!
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#1 all the way! The lines on the tablecloth just feel like they are going the wrong way in the second picture.
Looks yummy Lady!
Lizz
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I like number one– it allows you to focus more on the food. Although I do LOVE that spoon, I agree with some of the other posters that it’s a bit distracting!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg´s last blog ..Rice Makes It Nice
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