Excited for Easter?

 
Are you excited that it's almost Easter? I know I am! What a wonderful time of year. The grass is getting greener, flowers are budding, and the air is warmer. No matter if your Easter gatherings have a religious tone or are just a way to get family together it's a time of year that I know many of us look forward to. Baking the ham or lamb plus all of the sides (click links for recipes) takes a lot of effort on the part of the host. Bringing dessert is helpful, but why not show how much you appreciate your host by bring along an Easter brunch basket (below) for the family to enjoy after the gathering? This is especially good idea if you're lucky enough to be invited to the home of a great cook - make sure you're asked back for a meal again soon!

Are you craving summer?

Maybe you live in a warm weather area, but by this part of the year many of us Mainers had it with the cold weather. Do you find yourself in this boat? Perhaps you've been hearing about tropical vacations and find that you are craving one yourself. While hopping on a plane may be a bit impractical; cooking up a Mexican-inspired feast is the perfect way to get a taste of summer. So, pretend that you're jetting off to the beach and create your own fiesta!

Step one, mix up a delicious margarita! I can tell you from my own taste testing that our recipe for Sunset Margaritas is fabulous!

1 oz Tequila
2 oz Stonewall Kitchen Margarita Mixer
1/2 oz Cointreau
1/2 oz Chambord

Use a lime wedge to wet the rim of a Margarita glass, then dip the rim in salt or sugar. Fill glass with ice and stir in all ingredients. Garnish with a twist of lime.




Peach Salsa Shrimp Taco - Serves 4-6

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons light olive oil
• 1 pound large (21-30 count) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Salt and pepper to taste
• ¼ teaspoon chili powder
• 1-tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 6 corn taco shells
• 2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped
• Stonewall Kitchen Peach Salsa
• 1/3 cup Manchego or Monterey Jack Cheese, shredded
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped 

 directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over high heat. Add shrimp, salt and pepper and cook until shrimp are pink and become firm, about 1-2 minutes per side.
3. Bake taco shells on baking sheet 4-5 minutes.
4. Layer lettuce, shrimp, Peach Salsa, cheese and cilantro in the taco shells. Serve immediately.

Have two of these tacos and your cold weather blues are sure to be cured!