Honey Walnut Shrimp.

Success! Honey Walnut Shrimp is a dish I crave when I'm pregnant. I've tried my hand at different variations of this recipe, but have had disastrous results. Last night, I finally made some that turned out wonderful.

Honey Walnut Shrimp 

Serves 4

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  
• 1 Tbsp white wine
  
• 1/4 tsp white pepper
  
• 1 egg white
  
• 1/2 tsp salt

• cornstarch
  
• canola oil

Sauce:

• 1/4 C mayonnaise 
  
• 2 tsp honey
  
• 2 tsp rice vinegar
  
• 1/4 tsp salt

Honey walnuts:

• 1 C walnuts 
  
• 3 tsp honey
  
• 1 tsp water

• cilantro
  
• toasted sesame seeds

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Beat egg white till foamy. Mix rice wine, white pepper and salt to egg white. Toss shrimp in mixture. Let shrimp rest in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

For honey walnuts, mix the honey with water. Place walnuts of a baking sheet, bake 15 minutes. Cool.

To make the honey mayo sauce,  whisk mayonnaise, honey, vinegar and salt. 

Heat oil to 350 degrees in shallow pan. While heating, take marinated shrimp and coat with cornstarch. Fry shrimp, about 1 minute in each side. Toss shrimp with honey sauce mixture. Add honey walnuts, cilantro and toasted sesame seeds. Serve with rice.

Baking: From My Home to Yours.

I am a lover of cookbooks. For someone who doesn't really like to spend time in the kitchen, purchasing a cookbook might not be the best Christmas gift. For me though, they are lovely. I like to just sit and read them.

Here's a book I recently purchased for myself:


More than I like to cook, I love to bake. Baking: From My Home to Yours is a James Beard Foundation Book Award Winner and is the 9th cookbook of Dorie Greenspan. In this cookbook, not only does she share over 230 recipes, but she also walks you through the steps like she is right there with you. I've already spent most of my afternoon reading about pound cake. Bookmarked shortbread cookie recipes. Thought about what cake I want to make for my birthday (yes, I want to make my own celebratory cake this year).

Good thing I've sworn of refine sugars for the remainder of the month -- otherwise I would be in the baking in the kitchen right about now.

iCandy Pear.

This stroller is sold only in the UK, and I think I want it (whether or not I can afford it is another story). We'll be in London for two months this summer so maybe I can test it out then. It just might be my perfect double.

Why does Europe get the coolest strollers companies? And why do they take forever to come Stateside?

International Symbol Magnets.

I like these colorful international symbol magnets. I feel kind of foolish though. I thought I was well traveled, but I don't know what a few of those symbols mean. What's your guess for the one on the top left?


I think these would make a great gift for a co-worker.

Bouchon Cookbook.

If you can't fork up $240 for a nine-course meal at Thomas Keller's The French Laundry restaurant (or any of his other amazing eateries), then maybe you can try your take at his recipes at home.

A great gift for any foodie, Keller's cookbook Bouchon will delight even the most basic chef:


I say basic, because this collection of recipes and techniques is more everyday user-friendly than his more complicated French Laundry Cookbook. (Unless of course, you're not like me and you have things like foie gras and pig's head readily in your kitchen.)

Sadly, I do not own this book myself (what-you-can-get-me-for-Christmas plug here) but I've read enough mouth-watering reviews to predict this cookbook will not disappoint. I have however, tried my hand at Keller's Over-the-Top Mushroom Quiche (which was taken from his Bouchon book), and will now and forever use this recipe for quiche.

In fact, it's on the menu for this year's Christmas brunch.

Good Night Moon Game.

The book Goodnight Moon has been a bedside companion to my little girl since she was born. She loves this book. I think any kid familiar with the illustrations would also love this game too.


(lowest price in my search was at Wal Mart for under $15)

Fallen Feathers Tree Skirt.

I'm going to keep my Holiday decor in the blues/golds this year. I think this Fallen Feathers Tree Skirt would be just lovely under my tree.

Smeg Refrigerator.

Is it crazy that I think this refrigerator would make an ultra cool Christmas present?