Masonable Mondays #1 - Sushi Inspired

The #Masonable is getting so much attention right now. Everyone is sharing it on Pinterest, Facebook, on their blogs and YouTube. There was even a news station in Arizona that did a segment on their midday news. It is so exciting that everyone loves the idea and wants to share it or put their own twist on it or maybe I should say in it.

In light of all the buzz and attention the #Masonables have been getting I have decided to run a post every Monday with a new idea, tip or trick using those wonderful mason jars and fruit cups. This will be the very first #MasonableMondays of many more to come. 

This Monday I got inspiration from Sushi and the tasty eats from Japanese restaurants. I made a few classics in a jar like Miso Soup, Gyoza and a Salad with Ginger Dressing. Then I made 3 jars that you would never see in a sushi restaurant. It is not sushi, it is "Sushi-ish". A real sushi roll uses seasoned rice to keep all the tasty ingredients in a nice neat bite. I am using rice crackers to make a stack-able sushi bite. Any one jar would make a great snack. Pack any two or heck more depending on your appetite for a great lunch. So read on for 6 Sushi Inspired Masonables.

California "Sushi" Masonable

The first masonable I decided to make was inspired by a California Roll. This roll is probably one of the most popular on sushi menus. It is cool and refreshing with avocado, crab and cucumber. My version is also crunchy with rice crackers as the base of each bite. Like sushi these California stacks are best consumed in one big bite.

California "Sushi" Masonable
Serves 1

Supplies

1 wide mouth pint Mason jar
2 empty fruit cups

Ingredients

8 round rice crackers
8 slices of imitation crab or crab sticks
8 slices of English cucumber
1/2 an avocado, pitted, peeled and diced
1/4 tsp. wasabi
1/4 tsp. light soy sauce
1/4 tsp. rice vinegar
Furikake*

Directions

In a small bowl combine wasabi, soy and vinegar. Mix until wasabi is dissolved. Add avocado and stir or mash until avocado is well coating in the wasabi mixture. Set aside.

Fill mason jar with slices of crab stick and cucumber. Place one fruit cup in the top of the jar and spoon in the avocado mixture. Sprinkle top with Furikake*. Place lid on top of the cup. Stack rice crackers on lid. Place fruit cup inverted on top of crackers and lid. Add mason jar ring to secure everything in place. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*Note: If you cannot find Furikake you can garnish with sesame seeds and finely sliced nori (dried seaweed).

Philadephia "Sushi" Masonable

This might be my favorite of the "Sushi" Masonables. I am a sucker for smoked salmon and cream cheese. In fact this combination would make a delicious appetizer for a party. It does take some patience to layer the cream cheese and wasabi. Make sure the cream cheese is softened to make it a bit easier to spread. This one does have a bit more wasabi but it is not too much, just stick to the one big bite rule and all the flavors will combine into a perfect bite.

Philadephia "Sushi" Masonable
Serves 1

Supplies

1 wide mouth pint Mason jar
2 empty fruit cups

Ingredients

8 round rice crackers
8 slices of smoked salmon
8 slices of English cucumber
2 oz. light cream cheese, softened
1/2 tsp. wasabi
1/4 tsp. light soy sauce
Furikake*

Directions

In a small bowl combine wasabi and soy. Mix until wasabi is dissolved. Set aside.

Fill mason jar with slices of salmon and cucumber. Place one fruit cup in the top of the jar and spoon in half of the cream cheese. Spread into a smooth flat layer. Top with wasabi soy mixture. Top with remaining cream cheese and spread smooth. Sprinkle top with Furikake*. Place lid on top of the cup. Stack rice crackers on lid. Place fruit cup inverted on top of crackers and lid. Add mason jar ring to secure everything in place. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*Note: If you cannot find Furikake you can garnish with sesame seeds and finely sliced nori (dried seaweed).

Miso Soup in a Jar

I love miso soup! I have been buying the instant packets for years. I just recently started making my own with instant dashi and miso paste. I usually make it in a mug under my keurig. Sometimes I include small cubes of tofu. But on this trip to the store they were out. It is still deliciously savory and warm. A perfect compliment to any of the "Sushi" Masonables.

Miso Soup in a Jar
Serves 1

Supplies

1 wide mouth pint Mason jar
1 empty fruit cup

Ingredients

3/4 tsp. miso
Tofu, finely diced (optional)
3/4 tsp. instant dashi
2" x 3" piece of Nori or Wakame, broken or sliced

Directions

Fill mason jar with miso and tofu if using. Place one fruit cup in the top of the jar and fill with dashi and nori. Place lid on top of the cup. Add mason jar ring to secure everything in place. Refrigerate until ready to serve. To serve remove jar from refrigerator and let jar come to room temperature. This is very important you do not want to add hot water to a cold jar. It will break. Add contents of fruit cup to jar and cover with 8 oz. hot water stir to combine and dissolve the miso. You can place jar on a Keurig and run without a pod on the medium setting. Again stir to combine and dissolve the miso and enjoy!

Gyoza in a Jar

This Gyoza in a Jar made me want a bigger jar! In fact I think I am going to have to buy the pint and a half jars (24 oz) now. Just so I can pack more Gyoza. I love these little dumplings and that dipping sauce is AMAZING! I used frozen dumplings in a bag this time. But I think I am going to make some homemade real soon. I need a Gyoza jar for each day of the week. Really I DO!

Gyoza in a Jar
Serves 1

Supplies

1 wide mouth pint Mason jar
1 empty fruit cup

Ingredients

3 or 4 frozen or homemade dumplings
Sesame Soy Dipping Sauce*

Directions

Cook dumplings according to package directions. Place dumplings in jar. Place one fruit cup in the top of the jar and fill with dipping sauce. Place lid on top of the cup. Add mason jar ring to secure everything in place. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*Note: I made an individual serving of the sesame soy dipping sauce. I used 1 Tbsp. each soy sauce and rice vinegar, some green onion tops and just a smidge of all other ingredients. Many frozen dumplings come with a dipping sauce. If you are short on time feel free to add it to your fruit cup instead.

Salad Jar with Ginger Dressing

I always enjoy the salads at Japanese restaurants, it is definitely the dressings. You don't find ginger or miso dressing just any where. So I wanted to include a salad jar in the line up of sushi inspired jars. It turned out so good. The dressing is the star here as well. Check out the link below to the dressing I made. I love the tangy sweet flavor. Who knew ketchup, ginger and lemon played so nice together.

Salad Jar with Ginger Dressing

Serves 1

Supplies

1 wide mouth quart Mason jar
1 empty fruit cup

Ingredients

1/2 roma tomato, diced
1/4 cup cucumber, diced
2 Tbsp. shredded carrot
1 green onion, sliced
2 cups torn romaine lettuce
3 Tbsp. Ginger Dressing*

Directions

Layer mason jar with tomato, cucumber, carrot, green onion and lettuce. Fill the fruit cup with ginger dressing and place in the top of the jar. Place lid on top of the cup. Add mason jar ring to secure everything in place. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*Note: I made half a recipe of a ginger dressing I found on YouTube. But if you are pressed for time you can use any store bought Asian dressing.

Spicy Cucumber Tuna Salad Masonable

I can't believe I almost forgot to share this one with you. That would have been a complete shame. This is the second time I have made this salad. I normally make a mayo based spicy tuna salad. But this one might be a little better. It is so good! I have also made it with leftover salmon too. Just as yummy! I love the sweet mirin with the spicy sriracha. The cucumber adds a little crunch and the sesame oil and seeds gives it a nutty finish. It is such a light and fresh twist on tuna salad.

Spicy Cucumber Tuna Salad Masonable
Serves 1

Supplies

1 wide mouth half pint Mason jar
1 empty fruit cup

Ingredients

10 round rice crackers
5 oz. can light tuna in spring water, drained
1/2 cup cucumber, diced
1 green onion, sliced
2 tsp. mirin
1 tsp. sriracha
1/2 tsp. sesame oil
1 tsp. soy sauce
Black and white sesame seeds

Directions

In a small bowl combine tuna, cucumber, green onion, mirin, sriracha, sesame oil and soy. Stir until well combined. Fill mason jar with cucumber tuna mixture. Garnish with sesame seeds and a dot of sriracha. Place lid on top of the jar. Stack rice crackers on lid. Place fruit cup inverted on top of crackers and lid. Add mason jar ring to secure everything in place. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

*Note: The cucumbers in this salad will weep so if you want to make it a day or two in advance, leave the cucumber out. You can serve it similar to the California Sushi Masonable and slice the cucumbers.

Linking to:

Tumbleweed Contessa: What'd You Do This Weekend?

Stone Cottage Adventures: Tuesdays with a Twist Link Party

Shrimp Creole [Re-post]

Today was shrimp day at the house. Dear sister spent the day and we made Spring Rolls for lunch and Shrimp Creole for dinner. When I originally posted the Shrimp Creole recipe the camera battery died and I did not get a photo of the finished dish. So I decided to photograph the finished plate today. Now you can see how delicious looking it is. This is really a tasty dish. Probably the easiest and maybe the healthiest of all our Cajun family recipes. I hope you will give it a try some day soon.

Shrimp Creole

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

28 oz. can whole tomatoes, crushed or diced

3/4 tsp. Kosher salt, or to taste

1/4 tsp. Black pepper, or to taste

1/8 tsp. Red pepper flakes, or to taste
1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning, or to taste

2 clove garlic, minced

5 sprigs parsley, chopped

2 sprigs thyme, leaves only

1 bay leaf

3 lbs. shrimp

Directions

Peel and devein the shrimp. Heat oil in saucepan, add onion and brown. Add tomatoes with juice and celery; cook 10 minutes, stirring thoroughly. Add all other ingredients except shrimp. Cook 10 min, then add shrimp. Cook 20 - 30 min. longer or until shrimp are cooked adding a little water if necessary. Cook covered on a low fire, stirring occasionally. Serve over steamed rice.

For more about this recipe including step by step photos, 

check out the original post [Here].

Linking to:

The Tumbleweed Contessa: What'd You do This Weekend?

Shrimp Lemoine

Come on everyone let's get messy! This is a dish you should eat with friends and family. It is like eating crawfish, you have to use your hands. You will see why in a minute. This is a recipe passed down to me by my Mother. It is how she recalls my paternal grandmother Maw Maw making it. Maw Maw was a Lemoine so yence the name. I have never seen it anywhere else. I searched and did not find anything similar or with the same name. Definitely a cajun original. It is so simple but so very good. Butter, onions and shrimp; that's it! The secret and what makes it a mess to eat is that you cook the shrimp in the sweet caramelized onions and in their shells. Cooking the shrimp in their shell just boost their flavor. It might be messy to eat but they are packed with flavor. Growing up we would eat it with french bread to scoop up the butter and onions. Mom says she will serve it with baked potatoes too. The parsley and green onions are totally optional. In fact as I remember it, most of the time Mom left them out. I questioned her about it and she said, "if I had them, I used them". I am here to tell you they are delicious either way. Monday dear sister came over and we tried using half the butter to save calories.  They were still delicious but there was little sauce to dip the bread in. So save those calories and indulge every now and then. I hope you will grab a stack of napkins and try it for yourself.

Shrimp Lemoine

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 stick unsalted butter

2 medium onions, sliced into petals

1 lb. shrimp, deveined shell on

Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Red pepper flakes, to taste

A handful of parsley, chopped (optional)

2 green onions, sliced (optional)

Directions

Melt butter over medium heat in a large pan, add onions and season with salt, black pepper and red pepper flakes. Sauté until onions are soft and they begin to brown and caramelize. Add shrimp and sauté until just opaque. Add parsley and green onion if using, stirring to combine. Check for seasoning and adjust if necessary. Serve with French bread and lots of napkins.

Print It

Linking to:
Buns In My Oven: What's Cookin' Wednesday
My Turn for Us: Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends

Grilled Shrimp Po Boy with Kickin' Po Boy Sauce

Happy New Year everyone! (Very belated) I have observed all my New Year Traditions. I spent it with my favorite person in the world. I had a meal of smothered cabbage and black eye peas with the family when I returned. This year is off to a great start.

Central Texas was cold and rainy. We cooked black eye peas and a few other things together. We discovered we do not like fresh black eye peas we prefer dried. This totally surprised both of us. I mean fresh is usually better? Right? I guess in this case we have been cooking from dry so long that they evoke that comforting memory. The fresh were not bad? Just different. They smelled and taste different. They even took longer to cook. Odd? We won't try that again.

We did make a good old fashioned 7 Layer Dip for New Year's Eve. We made our own guacamole and added many pickled jalapenos, so technically it might have been an eight layer dip. It was amazing how happy this made us. I don't know why I don't make this more often. It has been years since I made one. We also cooked many other things. Mayo Baked Tilapia and Veggies, Beef Filet and Mushroom Pan Sauce and of course lots of Breakfasts. That is his specialty. But the stand out recipe of the week was a Grilled Shrimp Po Boy. 

This Po Boy was amazing! It was really just a "winging it" recipe. My favorite person wanted a good po-boy on good bread. So he bought the bread from Jimmy John's. As for what to put on the po boy? We both agreed shrimp. We talked about using a marinade for BBQ Shrimp he was given by a friend. Well? We left our shopping list at home so we left a key ingredient at the store. So this marinade is the result. It was still great. I don't know if you can tell much difference from the original. They are well flavored with a hint of smoke from the grill. Perfect on their own or on a po boy. I asked what kind of sauce he wanted. He said something with a kick. Well I think "winging it" yet again worked to our benefit. We now have a Kickin' Po Boy Sauce. It's spicy, creamy, a little sweet and tangy. It had a nice flavor kick but did not over power or compete with the shrimp. It was so good! I will definitely make this for the family soon. Maybe on a warm day. We nearly froze to death at the grill that night. It was so so cold! But totally worth it. (Smiling)

Grilled Shrimp Po Boy with Kickin' Po Boy Sauce
Serves 2 or 3

Ingredients

For Shrimp and Marinade:
1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/2 cup olive oil
1/4 cup ketchup
3 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
3 cloves minced garlic
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp hot sauce
2 tsp horseradish

For Kickin' Po Boy Sauce:
2 Tbsp. ketchup
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. mayonnaise
1 to 2 tsp. capers
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

For Po Boy:
French bread, sliced in halved
Butter, softened
Kickin' Po Boy Sauce (recipe above)
Shredded lettuce
Tomato, sliced
Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Grilled shrimp

Directions

For Shrimp Marinade: Combine everything but shrimp in a jar and shake to combine. Pour over the shrimp to cover. Let marinade at least 30 min before grilling.

For Kickin' Po Boy Sauce: Combine ingredients stirring well to combine. Set aside for later.

For the Po Boy: Pre-heat the grill to medium high heat. Butter both insides of french bread. Grill the shrimp a few minutes each side, until opaque and has nice grill marks. Place bread on the grill butter side down. Grill until butter has melted and has nice golden brown grill marks. Remove from grill and assemble the po boy. Spread the kickin' sauce on both sides of the bread, place lettuce, tomatoes on bottom half of bread. Season with salt and pepper. Top with grilled shrimp and the top half of the bread. Cut into 2 or 3 sandwiches. Serve immediately!

Linking to:
Ms. enPlace: See Ya in the Gumbo
Dizzy Busy & Hungry: Wine'd Down Wednesday
Buns In My Oven: What's Cookin' Wednesday
Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday
Love Bakes Good Cakes: Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends
The Diary of a Real Housewife: Friday Favorites

California Roll Salad

I guess technically this could be considered a rice bowl or a salad. I just know it is delicious. I first saw this type of salad on the Weight Watchers recipe review board. I have seen many more recipes since then, everyone uniquely different. I have been making it my way, just for one a few years now. I have made it with both brown and white rice, both are great. I think my favorite part is the pickled ginger and cucumber. I just love that flavor combination. Just think of all the sushi combinations you could create into other salads. Switch the crab sticks for spicy tuna or salmon and you have another fresh exciting salad. This is a very fresh, cool meal for summer. I should know I have made two in the past two days. YUM! Time to make more rice.

California Roll Salad

Serves 1

Ingredients

1/2 cup pre-cooked or leftover rice

1 Tbsp. rice wine vinegar

1/2 tsp. sugar

1-1/2 tsp. low-sodium soy sauce

1/4 tsp wasabi powder

1-1/2 cups romaine lettuce, chopped

1 small carrot, cut into matchsticks

2-1/2" piece of English cucumber, cut into matchsticks

2 imitation crab sticks, sliced on the diagonal

1/2 medium avocado, sliced

1 Tbsp. pickled sliced ginger

2”x3” piece of toasted nori seaweed, julienned with scissors

1 tsp sesame seeds

Directions

Warm rice in the microwave for 1 minute. Mix vinegar and sugar together. Pour half of the vinegar and sugar mixture over rice. Stir to combine and fluff with a fork. Stir in soy sauce and wasabi powder to remaining vinegar mixture to make a dressing. Fill a salad bowl with lettuce, rice, carrots, cucumber, crab, avocado and ginger. Pour dressing over the top and garnish with nori and sesame seeds.

Linking to:
Jam Hands: Recipe Sharing Monday
The Tumbleweed Contessa: What'd You Do This Weekend?
Stone Cottage Adventures: Tuesdays with a Twist
Lori's Culinary Creations: Tickle My Tastebuds Tuesday
Dizzy Busy & Hungry: Wine'd Down Wednesday
Buns In My Oven: What's Cookin' Wednesday
Family Home and Life: Wow Us Wednesday
Carole's Chatter: Food on Fridays - Cucumber
Love Bakes Good Cakes: Freedom Fridays with All My Bloggy Friends
My Pinterventures: Summer Salads Party

Shrimp Corn and Tomato Soup

This is not my family recipe for Shrimp and Corn Soup. This is a new very veggie soup loaded with the "Trinity" of onions, bell pepper, and celery. It is light on the carbs of corn but big on corn and shrimp flavor. The cream corn adds a lot of body and sweetness to the broth. It is more fresh tasting than shrimp and corn soup with a roux. I have to admit I have skinny soups on the brain right now. I am a little hungover from all the rich holiday food. I plan on making a lot of light soups that you don't feel guilty about have a second serving. It is so very cold here in north Louisiana right now. It was 18 degrees last night. BURRR! Soup is just what we all need to stay warm. Look! I have included nutritional information for you. So I hope you will add this soup to your meal plan real soon.

Shrimp Corn and Tomato Soup

Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 green bell pepper, diced

2 medium onions, diced

6 ribs of celery, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced

4 cups chicken or shrimp broth

1 (15 oz.) can cream corn

1 (15 oz.) can diced tomato (undrained)

1 bay leaf

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced

1 lb. (26-30 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined

Kosher salt, to taste

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Red pepper flakes, to taste

Creole seasoning, to taste

Green onions, sliced

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Heat the oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the bell pepper, onion and celery; season with salt and black pepper. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the broth, corn, tomato and bay leaf; simmer for 10 minutes.

Season shrimp with creole seasoning. Add the shrimp and jalapeno; cook just until pink and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning and adjust as necessary with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes and creole seasoning.

To serve, ladle the soup into individual bowls and sprinkle with the chopped parsley and green onion.

Nutritional Information per serving*: Cal. 200, Carbs. 17, Fat 6, Protein 19, Calcium 8, Fiber 3. WW Points + 5

*Information from the Myfitnesspal calculator. NI may vary depending on the brand or size of the ingredients used to prepare it.

Linking to:
Love Bakes Good Cakes: The Ultimate Soup Recipe List Linky
Dizzy Busy & Hungry: Wine'd Down Wednesday
Buns In My Oven: What's Cookin' Wednesday
My Mixing Spoon: Random Recipe Roundup
Ms. enPlace: See Ya in the Gumbo
Jam Hands: Recipe Sharing Monday
Call Me PMc: Marvelous Mondays
The Plaid and Paisley Kitchen: Show Me Your Plaid Mondays

Shrimp Creole

Mom came over yesterday and we did some cooking. We put some salmon to cure for Gravlax, but that is for another post. We also made Shrimp Creole! I don't know why I have not asked her to cook this with me before? It is so good and so easy! It has to be one of the easiest Cajun recipes I have ever tried to make. I remember her making it when we were little but never assisted in the preparation. Mom's recipe comes from the Ladies Alter Society Cookbook published by the church she grew up in. The recipe is actually one of her childhood friend's mother-in-law's recipes. It was just as I remembered it. Not too spicy, but full of big shrimp and tomato flavor. We were lucky to have frozen shrimp my Nannie and Paran (god-parents) brought us from south Louisiana. They were so much better than any shrimp I can get here. They really made this dish. The only problem I ran into was the batteries on the camera went dead before I could take the glamour shot. I guess I will have to make it again. The things I do for yall. But you have to see the finally product right? If you can't wait til then here is the recipe as originally printed and the way I formatted it. Come back for the pretty pictures real soon.

Shrimp Creole

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 Tbsp. olive oil

1 large onion, chopped

2 stalks celery, chopped

28 oz. can whole tomatoes, crushed or diced

3/4 tsp. Kosher salt, or to taste

1/4 tsp. Black pepper, or to taste

1/8 tsp. Red pepper flakes, or to taste
1/2 tsp. Cajun seasoning, or to taste

2 clove garlic, minced

5 sprigs parsley, chopped

2 sprigs thyme, leaves only

1 bay leaf

3 lbs. shrimp

Directions

Peel and devein the shrimp. Heat oil in saucepan, add onion and brown. Add tomatoes with juice and celery; cook 10 minutes, stirring thoroughly. Add all other ingredients except shrimp. Cook 10 min, then add shrimp. Cook 20 - 30 min. longer or until shrimp are cooked adding a little water if necessary. Cook covered on a low fire, stirring occasionally. Serve over steamed rice.

Source: Ladies Alter Society Cookbook - Sacred Heart Church; Norco, Louisiana from Mrs. Lawrence Vitrano 

*** UPDATE 5.30.2015 ***

For photos of the finished dish click [Here].

Linking to: 

Ms. enPlace: See Ya in the Gumbo

Mommy on Demand: Create it or Bake it

Anyonita Nibbles: Tasty Tuesdays

Miz Helen's Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday