One of my favorite set of tables in the house is this little set of nested tables near my back porch.
This table holds a few of my favorite things to have on hand. A book on birdwatching, a scented candle, a pretty Lenox music box (the lid on top and the musical part on the middle table) It has a hummingbird sipping from a morning glory and it plays Vivaldi’s Allegro from The Four Seasons.
I also keep a pair of binoculars and my camera nearby, to catch a few bird pics.
The birds have certainly been plentiful this winter. LOVE to watch them!
What would be yummy to have cooking on the stove while I’m watching the birds?
Today’s Lagniappe: Creole Shrimp and Grits
This will cure what ails ya!
- 2 pounds unpeeled, medium-size raw shrimp (26/30 count)
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery ribs, chopped
- 1 medium-size green bell pepper, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 1 (6-oz.) can tomato paste
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked quick-cooking grits
1. Peel shrimp, reserving shells; devein shrimp. Bring shells and 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; reduce heat to low, and cook 20 minutes. Pour shrimp broth through a colander over a large bowl, pressing shells with back of a spoon; discard shells.
2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat; stir in flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until flour is caramel colored (about 8 to 10 minutes). Add onion and next 3 ingredients, and cook, stirring often, 5 to 7 minutes or until tender. Stir in 2 cups shrimp broth, tomato paste, and next 4 ingredients. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally, 45 minutes. Add shrimp, and cook 10 minutes, stirring in 1/4 to 1/2 cup remaining shrimp broth to reach desired consistency.
3. Meanwhile, bring milk, 2 1/2 cups water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Gradually stir in grits. Reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Serve Creole Shrimp over grits.
Join these blogs for some great inspiration this week!
Balancing Beauty and Bedlam’s Tasty Tuesday
The bird is sooooo cute! Great pic!
Beautiful nesting tables…’nesting’ tables are a perfect place to keep your birdwatching tools.
wonderful birdie shot!
I love grits and never thought of making a recipe like this GREAT!!! recipe.
Geri
A beautiful bird and a great recipe. What could be better. Maybe it will get warmer here in AR. Doylene
This sounds so good!! I’m definitely going to make soon!
my mother would have such a great time bird watching as she loves nature and has the patience to do it
Love your nesting tables and how clever to have them all pulled out to use each table top,love these,kathysue
Hi Christi…
I just read your sweet note, my friend! Thank you so much for coming by and taking a peek at my dining room’s winter decor! I still have a ways to go after finally getting all of my Christmas put away…slowly but surely! Hehe!
Well my friend, I just love your beautiful nested tables! I have always wanted some but have never gotten any! I love the look and feel of them…that layered effect…so warm and cozy! You certainly decorated them beautifully too! Love the pretty Lenox music box…so very pretty! I really enjoy watching all the birds at our place too! Is the bird in the photo a female cardinal? It’s really pretty!!! Thank you so much for sharing more of your gorgeous home, my friend…what a treat!!!
I really enjoyed going through your recipe for shrimp creole! Shrimp Creole is one of my most favorite meals!!! I’ll have to give your recipe a try…it sounds heavenly! I have never tried the creole over grits before…sounds good! We usually have white rice with it….but I love grits and it would be something different! Well Darlin’, you take care and I’ll visit with you soon….
Warmest wishes,
Chari @Happy To Design
ooops, didn’t give you the direct link, sorry, this one should be right, sigh, it’s only 10am and it’s been a long day already.
I’m coming to America in 6 weeks time to see some friends and have been told one of the foods I have to eat is grits. Oh and collard greens.
I like the way you have used your tables and may have to steal the idea!
You have inspired me to try something similar with mine.
Maggie
I love Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Perfect for bird watching I think.
Christi everthing is so beautiful! The nesting tables are lovely. 🙂
I love this vignette, and nesting tables are perfect for creating separate microcosms. More than anything I believe in the notion of having things near. Things you love. I have certain things I keep near my desk when I’m starting a book. They are as essential as air.
Beautiful nesting tables! I love to bird watch, too! 🙂 ~Rhonda
I have always loved nesting tables…you did a great job the way you have them displayed. I can see why they are a favorite of yours!
Great nesting tables and recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Sandy
Hi !
those nesting tables are so pretty! I have seen a lot of different sets, but yours are by far the nicest!
What gorgeous nested tables! I really like the displays on it.
Katherine
Shrimp and Grits! Love them. We drove over to Oxford, MS one day just to have shrimp and grits at City Grocery:) Hubby and I were watching Paula Deen Saturday morning. She’s the only person I know that turns “grits” into a four syllable word!
The raccoons keep hauling off my bird feeders and the squirrels eat up the flat feeder seed almost as soon as we put it out. Poor birds. They have to be tough in my yard to get anything to eat.
Funny you should mention birdwatching, I love doing the same thing from my Morning Room, too. What a great idea, I need to keep my binoculars handy, too. I have a feeder just outside the large window, and in the mornings they go crazy. Thanks so much for sharing this special table setting with us, and also for joining in the first Tabletop Tuesday. I hope to see you join in each week. Blessings, Barb
Very nicely done and that recipe sounds delicious too! Thanks for sharing.
I love your nesting table too and your bird picture is lovely. Thanks for the recipe…Christine
Beautiful tabletop and bird photo!