Grilled Jumbo Shrimp

2 1/2 pounds jumbo shrimp, uncooked with tail
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/2 cup diced green onion
3 tbs. lemon juice
1 tsp. dried basil
1 clove minced garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
Bacon slices, cut in half one per shrimp

Precook bacon slices, but not to a crispy doneness. They will finish when grilled.

Peel (unless already peeled) shrimp and put into zip lock bag. Mix remaining ingredients together and pour mixture over shrimp. Seal bag and allow to marinate 2-4 hours. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.

Wrap bacon around shrimp and put on skewer. Place on grill and allow to cook for 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and skewer, and serve.

Pumpkin Muffins

I'm all about simple recipes. Quick and easy. For that reason, I love Semi-Homemade by Sandra Lee on the Food Network. This is not one of her recipes, but it's simple enough to be!

Are you ready for this simplicity...?
Ingredients:
1 box spice cake mix
15 oz. canned pumpkin
1 cup water (optional)

Instructions:
Mix ingredients and pour into prepared muffin tins. Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.

The water makes them more doughy, softer. I personally like them better without the water.

For those of you on Weight Watchers, they are only 1 to 2 points each!!!

Hot Buttered Rum

OMG this recipe is so good! My aunt and uncle make it every year when we go down there for Christmas.

Make the whole recipe or cut in half. Store in the freeze and it will last you awhile.

Rum Mix
1 lb. butter
1 lb. brown sugar
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 qt. french vanilla ice cream
3 tsp. vanilla
nutmeg
cinnamon

Freeze mix for later use.

Add 1 tsp. rum mix to jigger rum and 1 cup boiling water. Top with more nutmeg and cinnamon.

Me, personally, I like it with about 2 tbsp. mix and no rum.

Prepare to wear it on your hips.

Latin Lover

I know it's a bit too chili outside for a recipe like this. But it's too good to wait for warm weather to share. I had this first while attending a bachelorette party about...oh, 7 years ago...

Ingredients:
4 tbsp. frozen pineapple juice concentrate*
2 tbsp. frozen orange juice concentrate
2 tbsp. frozen cranberry juice concentrate
1 tbsp. lime juice
2 oz. Malibu rum
1 1/2 cup small ice cubes.

Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a blender. Process until smooth.

Serves 2.

*I've had a hard time finding frozen pineapple juice. So I'll get frozen orange/pineapple and put 6 tbsp. of that in place of the pineapple and orange juices.

Taco Bake

Mom makes this probably about once a month. Or at least she did while I was growing up. So good, and so easy!

Ingredients:
1 pound hamburger
1 small onion, chopped
3/4 cup water
1 pkg (1.25 oz. or 1/4 cup) taco seasoning
1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
1 pkg (8 oz.) macaroni, cooked and drained
1 can (4 oz.) chopped green chiles
1 can (or 1 cup thawed) corn (optional)
1 can kidney beans (optional)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. Brown beef and onion over medium heat.
   
2. Mix in the water, taco seasoning, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil, reduce heat. Simmer 5-to minutes.
   
3. Stir in macaroni, chiles, 1 1/2 cup cheese, and optional ingredients.
   
4. Pour into greased 1 1/2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
   
5. Bake at 350F for 30 minutes, or until heated through.