Recent Posts

How To Digitize Your Life

How To Digitize Your Life

Raise your hand if you have a drawer stuffed with important papers, receipts and kid art. Control the paper clutter by digitizing your life! Here’s a handy infographic on steps to use apps and other programs to safely and effectively digitize important documents or art.

Routine Testing For Pregnancy: First, Second & Third Trimester

Routine Testing For Pregnancy: First, Second & Third Trimester

Being pregnant can be an exciting time. I remember ‘nesting’ and being so busy planning for my baby’s room, wardrobe, and other fun baby things. But did you know there is also a timeline for testing during the three trimesters of pregnancy? Check out this…

Creamy Pesto Flatbread Recipe with Barilla

Creamy Pesto Flatbread Recipe with Barilla

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

I love making pizza dough in my bread mixer! I start it in the morning & then I have dough ready to go for lunch or dinner. (more…)

Vitapod: Better Than Water!

Vitapod: Better Than Water!

I recently received a Vitapod machine to review and the timing could not have been more perfect! I have a daughter going off to college for the first time and we’ve been crazy busy shopping for her new life in a dorm room. As a…

Are You Getting the Power of Potassium?

Are You Getting the Power of Potassium?

While nearly all Americans (99.4%) consume more sodium than is recommended by the American Heart Association, less than 2% of adults meet the recommendation for potassium. Why so much sodium and not enough potassium? It has to do with the types of foods we get these…

Monster Movie Night Tips

Monster Movie Night Tips

I received this product for free from Moms Meet (momsmeet.com) to use and post my honest opinions. Compensation for this post was provided and this page may contain affiliate links.

I find myself getting very nostalgic lately, often reminiscing about the fun things I used to do as a teen. One of my most favorite group activities back in the day was getting together with friends to watch scary movies and eat popcorn until the wee hours of the night. (more…)

Vacation Rental Booking Hacks

Vacation Rental Booking Hacks

Looking to book a vacation rental home this summer, but worried you’ll get stuck in a dud property? Check out this handy tip sheet to ensure your vacation is a success!

I ate Oysters in July and Survived

I ate Oysters in July and Survived

There is a well-known food adage that says you should only eat oysters in a month that has an ‘r’ in it.  If you are risk-adverse, stick with that sage advice. However, I like to test boundaries, so let’s investigate this dire shellfish warning.

When Does A Tax Audit Turn Into A Tax Investigation?

When Does A Tax Audit Turn Into A Tax Investigation?

Just a reminder, but if you filed an extension the deadline to file for 2020 taxes is October 15th, 2021. Have you ever wondered what could trigger a tax audit? Check out this handy infographic below! (more…)

Moms – Thinking About Heading Back to School? Discover Why You Should Study Health Sciences

Moms – Thinking About Heading Back to School? Discover Why You Should Study Health Sciences

Being a mom is incredibly rewarding, however, there comes a time when you must rediscover and dedicate time to yourself. Many parents put their dreams and aspirations on the backburner when little ones come along, however, the joy and sense of self that comes with…

CLEVR: Morning Beverages with a Healthful Boost

CLEVR: Morning Beverages with a Healthful Boost

The folks behind Clevr are definitely on to something. I love my morning coffee, but let’s be honest, I only dig it for the caffeine boost that gives me the will to get ready for the day. However, Clevr has crafted together a magical blend…

Spicy Watermelon & Jicama Shrimp and Grits

Spicy Watermelon & Jicama Shrimp and Grits

I am a shrimp and grits super fan! My most favorite thing to do is try different versions of shrimp and grits when we travel throughout the South. It’s so fun to see how many different variations there are out there! Some versions are tomato based and are more hearty with smoked sausage and pepper flavors, which to me feel more like comfort food. My Spicy Watermelon & Jicama Shrimp and Grits recipe is lightened up for the summer months and give of *vacation vibes* with Sam’s Watermelon Jicama Salsa.

Sam’s Fresh Salsa has no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, and additive free. It’s just pure fresh salsa like you would get if you went out to a Mexican restaurant and it was prepared fresh for the day. They also make traditional cantina style salsas such as Cantina Medium Salsa and Salsa Verde.

watermelon jicama shrimp and grits

Although this dish brings big spicy tropical inspired flavors, it’s really easy to make. True grits fans will shake their heads at the Quick Grits listed in my recipe, but I find that I’m always short on time, so Quick Grits it is! If you have the time to make hearty stone ground grits, please by all means use that instead.

Spicy Watermelon & Jicama Shrimp and Grits

Prep Time: 40 Minutes

Serves: 4

You Will Need:

  • 12 oz Medium Raw Shrimp (Plan on about 8 shrimps per serving)
  • 1  12oz Tub of Sam’s Spicy Watermelon & Jicama Salsa
  • 2 Small White or Yellow Onions
  • 1/2 Cup Quick Grits
  • 1/2 Tsp Garlic Powder
  • 1/4 Tsp Red Pepper Powder
  • 4 Tablespoons Butter (or Vegan Butter)
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil (or other vegetable oil)
  • Fresh Cilantro (About 1/2 cup washed and chopped without stems)
  • Optional: Fresh grated pecorino or manchego cheese (1/2 cup)
  • 1 Fresh Lime
  • 1 Tsp Salt
  • Salt to taste

How to Prepare:

Salsa

Take one tub of Sam’s Watermelon Jicama Salsa out from the refrigerator and let it warm up to room temperature (for about an hour) prior to cooking the grits and shrimp.

Grits

I use Quick Grits because they are so much faster to cook, but if you have time, stoneground chunky grits are a fun option.  For Quick Grits, boil 2-1/2 cups water with 1 tsp of salt in a 3-quart saucepan over medium heat.

grits cooking in a pot

Add grits to the water and stir constantly for about a minute. Optional: If you want your grits to be ‘cheesy grits’ with extra creaminess, stir in the grated cheese. The grits will start to thicken and you may add water (about 1/4 cup at a time) as you cook to keep the grits from being dry and cooked through. Add the butter and stir occasionally to keep mixture loose.  Add salt to taste. When you turn off the heat, the grits will thicken even more, so I always add about 1/4 cup of water before shutting off the heat.

Shrimp & Onions

In a large skillet, heat olive oil on medium heat and add onions. Stir until onions soften.

In a bowl, toss shrimp with garlic powder and red pepper powder. Add Shrimp to skillet and cook for about 2 minutes and then flip over gently and cook until they are pink and cooked through (about another 2 minutes). Squeeze fresh lime juice on top of the shrimp and onions.

Stir the grits and if they are too thick, add a little more warm water to make them loose again.

Fill a shallow bowl with grits (about 3/4 cup cooked grits) and top with about 8 cooked shrimp and onions mixture.

Spoon the Sam’s Spicy Watermelon & Jicama Salsa over the shrimp and grits. The spicy watermelon juices are so good when mixed in with the grits while eating!

Top with fresh diced cilantro. Optional: Add a few slices of fresh avocado!

sam's salsa recipe challenge

 

Make sure to grab some Sam’s Fresh Salsas near you! Available at Fresh Market, ACME, Shaws, ShopRite, Morton Williams, Boyer’s and McCaffrey’s

 

Not only are they super tasty, but I love that they employ sustainable farming practices. Their composting operation delivers over 30 million pounds of self-generated fruit and vegetable waste each year, such as the peels, cores, seeds, scraps, and material with decay back into our soil. They also save water as they have installed subsurface water seepage pits and rapid infiltration basins to replenish the aquifers with water used in our vegetable and fruit processing operations.

#freshnotfake, #samssalsarecipechallenge, #salsalove

This recipe is an entry to the Sam’s Salsa Recipe Challenge!