Don’t forget about the Anti-Valentines Day contest — get to work!

My friend and talented children’s book writer, Kitoba, is doing a ‘collective comic’ project, where they start with some basic characters, and different people write scripts and draw each week’s comic strip. They are just starting and don’t have alot of strips yet, but I love the idea, and I contributed the artwork for this week’s comic. They are looking for contributors for writing or art, so if you’re interested in participating, email Kit at comic@kitoba.com.

Here’s another:

And I found these on flickr:

Juan Francisco Casas
Originally uploaded by greta_y_doraimon

Juan Francisco Casas
Originally uploaded by greta_y_doraimon

Now, for the good stuff!
A while back, I made my version of Sweet Sushi – Rice Krispie treats with various dried fruit (papayo, mango, ginger) on it. Yummy and impressive!

I have to admit i’m a bit sushi obsessed, so I was doing some flickr browsing and came across several other really fun sushi inspired creations:

Pink Polka Dot Bento with Sushi Soap
Originally uploaded by midohana

Sushi Soap! She has a ton of other interesting soaps in her flickr pics, too.

Dessert Sushi
Originally uploaded by oskay

One of the inspirations for my own sweet sushi, from Evil Mad Scientist

Sushi&Sashimi Set
Originally uploaded by Ronize Aline (Delírios de Penélope)

Crocheted sushi. I haven’t tried to crochet since my grandmother tried to teach me when I was 10, but for cool stuff like this, maybe I should learn!

I’m not sure who made this (if anyone knows, i’ll link to them), I just found the picture on flickr and the person didnt make it. But way cool.

Sushi Role Felt Bead Necklace
Originally uploaded by taratara69

Sushi Roll Felt Bead Necklace. Pretty neat!

That was just too cute in my head, so i felt the need to sketch it.

Ya know how hard it is to get inspired on a Monday… so here are a few things to help ya out.

First off Bacon Vodka from Brownie Points. First it sounds bizarre, but then picture a bloody mary, and maybe that would do nicely!

Confessions of a Blueberry Bandit has some great stuff, including this!

Presto Bingo has some really cool art, both originals and prints… And cool robots! I’m so tempted to buy when my mad money fund is higher!

Create! has some adorable amigurumi fruit, including these too cute lemons

So, I’m big on creating dinners that are do-able in the real world. They should taste great, not require a day of shopping, and not require you to spend the day in the kitchen getting it ready. This recipe requires no odd spices that you have to shop for, and just a few ingredients, and it can be done in less than 30 minutes, so you have time to spend on the important parts of your evening! It looks very gourmet, and on top of that, it’s healthy!

Shrimp* & Grits, with Balsamic Kale:

I realize that grits may not be available everywhere, but if you don’t have them in your area, substitute polenta, it’s basically the same thing.

To make it easy, I bought preshelled shrimp, and prewashed kale, at the local grocery store.

The below does 2 people with a bit of leftovers
Ingredients:
—
1 lb shrimp (any size/kind that you like)
Butter
Minced garlic (mince it yourself, or be lazy and buy the jar)
Cajun or other spicy spice mix – optional, and being creative here is fine
—
Quick (not instant) Grits, water, salt – follow package directions for 4 servings. (For mine, it was 3/4 c grits, 3 c water, 1/2 t salt. cook for 5-7 min)
Sour Cream – 1/4 c or so
—
Kale (I bought a prewashed bag, 16 oz, and used about 1/2)- it will cook down to about half of what it looks like when you start
Balsamic vinegar
Optional – 1/2 pkg of ham seasoning (i use goya) from the ethnic food section
—
Salt and Pepper
—

Step 0: Pour yourself a nice glass of wine!
Start this about 30 min before you want to serve.

Step 1: put the water on to boil.
Start the water for your grits. Salt as directed.
Start the water for your kale. (I like to steam it with a steamer basket in a big pot, so just an inch or so of water.

Step 2: Prep
Rinse shrimp, sprinkle with salt & pepper.
measure out grits
if you’re mincing fresh garlic, do it now–several cloves.

Step 3:
Put Kale in steamer basket in pot when water boils. Sprinkle on salt. Set timer for 10 min. Cover, lower heat to medium low.
3 min later, put add grits to grits pot. Now they’ll both be done around the same time. Lower heat to low or according to package.

Step 4: Shrimp
Heat several tablespoons of butter in skillet. when melted, add shrimp (in batches if necessary) Stir fry til almost done. Add garlic, 2-3 cloves, depending on how much you like garlic or if it’s a first date. Shake on additional seasoning/spices. Cook til done (shrimp will be pink and curled up)

Step 5:
By this point, the kale and the grits should be done or close to done.
When the buzzer goes off, drain the kale and remove from heat.
Keep grits on heat but super low, and and sour cream, stirring it in. the grits will thicken too much if left on too long, so add a little water if they are looking too thick to be easily spoonable. And if you let them cool too much, they will solidify, so watch that!

Step 6:
In a bowl large enough to toss the kale, pour balsamic vinegar (start with about 1/8-1/4 cup) Add optional ham flavoring and stir well till dissolved.
Toss greens in mixture, adding more balsamic if necessary. you want just a light coating, not drowning in it. Add additional salt/pepper to taste if necessary.

Step 7: Plating
On a plate or large wide bowl, spoon grits in the center.
Place greens around the edge
Spoon on shrimp and butter/garlic.

Serve!

The vinegar seeps from the greens into the rest, and gives a lovely flavor.

*This can also be done with broiled salmon in place of the grits.

Pencil sketch, colored in photoshop.
Click through to see full since the side is being cut off.

And hey, while you’re here, check out the Anti-Valentines Day illo & craft contest!