Dinner Outdoors

We had a nice party in the garden during this unusual heat wave in the city!

Mojitos--Ian and Jessica's recipe!
1 part syrup
1 part fresh lime juice
2 parts rum (Bacardi Limon is best)
4 parts club soda
Add chopped mint to taste
Lots of ice

Chilled asparagus with sesame mayo
Hot artichoke dip and crackers
olives
snap pea crisps

Shrimp Paulista
Erika's Coconut Rice
Spicy Black Beans
Green Salad

Chilled watermelon juice (from Lisa and Alvaro)
ben and jerry's ice cream

The sesame mayo recipe is from my sister's friend who ALWAYS has the best recipes, simple and delicous! I made this the day before.
1.5 cups Best Food's (Hellman's) mayonnaise (I used light)
2.5 T sesame seeds, toasted in a frying pan
1 T fresh lemon juice
2 T sesame oil
mix all and refrigerate. Flavor improves over time.

Hot Artichoke Dip: (my sister Margaret's killer recipe)
1 can artichokes, drained and coarsely chopped
4 oz. softened cream cheese
1 cup mayo
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 minced clove garlic
combine all and cook in ovenproof dish at 350 for 30 minutes.

Shrimp Paulista: (I tripled the recipe for the party)
Mix in a bowl:
juice 2 limes
4 cloves garlic pressed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
add: 1 lb. shrimp peeled and deveined (i buy the frozen kind that are already peeled from trader joes and defrost under running water.) Marinate for 30 minutes---any longer and the shrimp gets tough. Heat a skillet to high heat. Dump entire contents--shrimp and marinade into the pan. Saute until shrimp is no longer pink. Serve over couscous or rice.

Erika's coconut rice: (we missed you guys! Hope youa re feeling better!)
1 3/4 c. chicken broth
2 c. light coconut milk
pinch salt
1 1/2 c. basmati
bring liquids to a boil and stir in rice and cook uncovered for ca. 5 min. cover, reduce heat, and simmer about 15 min more or until liquid is absorbed. remove from heat and let stand 10 min. fluff and serve.

Spicy Black Beans:
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped yellow bell pepper
2 cans trader joes cuban black beans
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 cup franks red hot sauce
salt and pepper to taste.

Saute onion and pepper in 2 Tbs. olive oil until soft. Add beans and spices and simmer for 1 hour. Flavor improves with refrigeration and reheating.