Shrimp Wrap with Zesty Cocktail Sauce

Last weekend while in Scottsdale, we landed right around lunchtime. After arriving at the resort, we dropped our bags and joined friends who had already arrived at a lunch spot on the property. Traveling puts me in a constant state of hunger. I was in a must-eat-now kind of mission that anything would suffice. I ordered a shrimp wrap that came with sweet potato tots. Yes sweet potato tots...pause for salivation.

Besides the tots the wrap was full of crisp lettuce, avocado, and shrimp. It was fantastic, I can't quit get across how good it was. My mom and sister ordered the shrimp cocktail that came with this amazing salsa/cocktail sauce combo. I could eat it with a spoon it was so good. I asked the waiter for my own little serving and proceeded to dip my wrap into it. I've recently really become a sauce person, so just go with me on this one. 

Not only did this lunch suffice, but left me craving it everyday since. I made quick note to recreate it as soon as I got home. Recreated it, loved it, and have pretty much eaten it everyday since. Looks like my plan worked! A few tweaks here and there and my own version of the salsa/cocktail sauce amazingness makes me feel like I am back in Paradise Valley. Now if only I can recreate those sweet potato tots... 

Shrimp Wrap with Zest Cocktail Sauce
yields 1 wrap

Ingredients:
1 Flatout wrap Light Original
1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
handful of spinach
1/2 roma tomato, chopped
1/4 avocado, chopped
thinly sliced red onion
handful of frozen salad shrimp, thawed

Zesty cocktail sauce:
2 Tbsp. your favorite cocktail sauce
2 Tbsp. your favorite salsa

Directions:
Thaw your shrimp according to package directions. Salad shrimp are the little baby kind that are super easy to thaw and super easy to cook. In a small pan over medium, heat a teaspoon of olive oil. Add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Cook for a few minutes until bright pink and slightly roasted. This gives the shrimp a little extra flavor. 

Heat your Flatout wrap in the microwave for 10 seconds. This will make it more pliable when rolling your wrap up. Spread the dijon mustard over the whole surface. Top with spinach, then layer on tomatoes, red onion, avocado and shrimp. Starting from the short length end, begin rolling, tucking in all your components as you roll so things aren't spilling out. No need to fold in the sides with these wraps. Once you get it all rolled, place two toothpicks through to keep it in place while you slice it down the middle. 

Mix the cocktail sauce and salsa in a small bowl. Serve the wrap alongside and eat up!

This is a quick meal that comes together easily for lunch. I made it yesterday while having the day off and also made an extra, wrapped it in foil, and packed for my lunch at work today. My lunch break just went from 0 to 100 quick. Enjoy! 

Annie

Bites of My Life

Hello spring, hello allergies! Nothing is better than getting a few peeks at spring weather, except when that means the inflow of torturous spring allergies. I had been un-anxiously awaiting their arrival and low and behold I woke up Friday morning to a bite from the allergy bug. I was joking with my mom that I knew I was going to get sick soon because as a kid I always had to miss the Valentine's Day party at school because of allergies.

Sneezing, coughing and sore throats aside, last week was a good one.  I think my January/winter depression has finally made its way out the door. Things are looking up up up. In my personal and work life things are pointing north. The new addition to the Tucker family isn't making anything hard either. If you follow me on Instagram you have already met #GabeTheBabe. My parents finally pulled the plug and brought a new puppy home. We are completely smitten and I'm having a hard time letting him out of my site. I'm going to be his most popular babysitter/dognapper...

-Homemade red sauce and spaghetti squash happened three nights in a row last week.
-New breakfast alert: Almond milk, frozen berries and granola. Amaze!
-My days at work are split between planning events and being the resident barista. Our new office coffee machine is sliiiiiightly distracting. 
-Not to toot my own horn, but I can make a mean bowl of guacamole.
-Visions of green after a pit stop at The Fit Pig for a Vim + Vigor juice and the new RXBar.
-After the allergies swooped in, my diet consisted of hot tea, cough drops and chicken noodle soup. Have y'all seen these new Campbell's Soup Keurig pods? Not bad.
-First meeting with my new puppy brother. I swore I would never be that obsessed dog person...oops!
-Doctors orders called for froyo.
-#GabeTheBabe getting his daily modeling in.
-Sundays, sniffles and steel cut oats. Power of three I suppose?
-Unexpected quickie visit from one I miss the most!
-Craving for vanilla wafers = make homemade vanilla wafers.

Annie
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Bites of My Life

Kudos to an incredible weekend. I was slightly distracted all week with sights set on getting to go out of town this past weekend. A great family friend got married in Scottsdale, AZ , so the whole gang reunited for a celebratory weekend in paradise! 87 degrees both days, incredible food, the best of friends, a little shopping here and there and just all around great times about sums up the weekend. We made a stop at my favorite store and my favorite market. My belly and my suitcase where much more full on the way home.

#HappilyEverHerritt was just perfect. I was in such a need of a little getaway weekend. It's typically hard to adjust coming off a great trip, but I'm feeling refreshed and ready. Ready for spring weather, new opportunities, and fresh feelings. 

-Came home to Spicy Chili Lime soup made by roomie Madeline. The spice may have singed our throats but it sure did clear out those sinuses!
-Finally tried the beet yogurt from last weeks bites. Opted to try this savory yogurt concept paired with more breakfast for dinner. Verdict--> good but wouldn't buy it again.
-Big hugs and kisses to my SCOUT crew. Thanks for my goodies, miss y'all so much. Check out the new collection ASAP if you haven't.
-Thursday night got a little kinky.
-Valentine making for galentines.
-A new nutrition bar to try thanks to my foodie friend Clara!
-First meal in Scottsdale and can't wait to recreate it. Shrimp wrap with sweet potato tots.
-Frozen mojitos with rum whipped cream just entered my life and they are never leaving it. Thank you for that Sumo Maya.
-A quickie little hike to fit in with the locals.
-A weekend in paradise did me well.
-My peeps run deep, just missing our New Yorkers.
-Homemade red sauce over spaghetti squash for me, myself and I.

Annie

Save This Recipe Snickerdoodles

The title says it all. I promise, you can trust me on this one. I've attempted to make snickerdoodles here and there over the course of my baking career, but they have never resulted in anything fantastic. They are always kind of puffy and don't get that cracked crust. This recipe is chewy, a little dense and just perfectly crispy around the edges!

I turned to cookie queen Christina Tosi for help on this one. If you don't make them asap, at least save them for a rainy day. 

Snickerdoodles adapted from Milk Bar Life
yields 24-30 cookies

Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 3/4 cup flour
1 1/2 tsp. cream of tarter
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon

Cinnamon Sugar Mixture:
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. 

Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Cream on high for about 3 minutes. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix until just combined, about 1 minute.

Add the flour, cream of tarter, salt, baking soda and cinnamon. Mix until just combined. If time allows, let dough chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before scooping.

Combine your sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Scoop the dough into golf ball size and roll between your palms. Toss in the cinnamon sugar mixture until completely covered. Arrange about 2 to 3 inches apart on a lined baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 9-10 minutes, until just golden brown and slightly cracked. Cool and enjoy! 

Annie

Valentine Vibes

wafer cookies // waffles // iced heart cookies // xoxo
white chocolate cherry cookies // homemade kit kats // pop tarts // raspberry smoothie
donuts // hershey kiss cookies // bundt cakes // scones

I love Valentine's Day, I've said it before. I see no harm in a holiday about pink and red and hearts and candy and loving on people who are special to you. Oversized teddy bears, red roses, and other commercialized stuff aside, it's a pretty cute holiday. 

If all of the above were in my possession this Valentine's Day I wouldn't be mad about it. Even better is that those cute little bundt cakes found above can be (if you are in the OKC metro area)! My friend Sallie, of Sallie Sells Cakes, makes delicious and adorable bundt cakes.  She has three special flavors for Valentine's Day including White Chocolate Raspberry, Red Velvet and Chocolate Covered Cherry. Need a little sweet treat for your lovie? Her mini bundts are only $5. Send orders to salliesellscakes@gmail.com.

Annie

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