Hawaiian Butter Garlic Shrimp

One of my favorite things about Hawaii was definitely the garlic butter shrimp served at the shrimp trucks all over the island, particularly at the North Shore.  Macky's Shrimp Truck was absolutely my favorite!  Now that we've moved back to the mainland though, if I want some delicious, garlicky shrimp in my life, I have to make it myself.

After doing some Googling and some recipe testing, I came across this recipe from JonesBrand.com for Hawaii Garlic Shrimp.  I was intrigued at the ingredient list and decided to give it a go!

Now, it wasn't an exact replica of some of my favorite joints, but it was delicious enough to pass and that's good enough for me!  The sauce was excellent and added great flavor to the shrimp.  From now on when I get a craving for some delicious garlic butter shrimp, this will be the recipe I turn to!

Recipe courtesy of JonesBrand.com

Ingredients [4 servings]

• 1 lb white shrimp, deveined (I went for heads off, but if you can, get bigger shrimp than pictured here, like jumbo size)
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (+3 tsp)
• 4 tbsp butter, salted
• 3 heads fresh garlic (yep, it's a lot!)
• 2 lemons
• 1/2 tsp coarse Hawaiian sea salt
• 1/2 tsp fresh cracked black pepper
• 1/8 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup white wine (avoid very dry wines for this recipe, and if you need a substitute, try chicken stock)

Directions

Take two heads of garlic, drizzle with olive oil, and roast in the oven at 400 degrees until soft.

Squeeze out the garlic when cool and mash and mix with 1 tbsp of olive oil, then set aside.

Mince approximately 8-10 cloves from the last head of garlic.  Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and then add 4 tbsp of olive oil, 2 tbsp butter, and the minced raw garlic.

Saute the garlic low and slow until it's nice and caramelized.

Add the wine, roasted garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, the rest of the butter, and the juice of one lemon to the pan.  Continue cooking on medium low until the sauce fully develops.

Empty the frozen shrimp into a colander and rinse off the excess ice.

Add the shrimp to the pan in one layer, turn the heat up to medium, and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until the shells start to turn pink.

Once they start to turn, flip all the shrimp over and cook for another 2-3 minutes.  Then turn the heat off and let the heat in the sauce finish cooking the shrimp.  This helps avoid overcooking the shrimp and making them tough and rubbery.

Serve the shrimp immediately with a couple of scoops of rice.

Be sure to add some of the garlic butter sauce on top of the rice and then dig in!

Have you tried Hawaiian-style garlic shrimp before?

Seven for Sunday

1.  It was so nice to be home for Christmas this year!  I can't believe we hadn't done it for three years in a row.

2.  I'm also really glad we got some good family time in.  We needed that for sure!!

3.  Finally, some new boots!  They'll get some good use in this chilly weather we have to get used to again.

4.  I'm sorry the Hobbit didn't work out last night, but here's hoping we can try again soon!  Maybe this week?

5.  But I am glad we found a Japanese steakhouse place that we love!  Now we don't have to drive all the way to Pensacola, lol.

6.  Yay for spending gift card money!  :)

7.  Thank you for being awesome this week.  I love you!

ily <3

Getting to Know Hawaii: My Windward Oahu Favorites

I just wanted to pop in really quickly and wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday season!  I hope you all have a wonderful rest of the year!

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The Windward coast of Oahu is a pretty special place.  As soon as you exit the tunnel on the H3 heading east, you can immediately tell the vibe of this area is just different from the rest of the island.  The scenery is pretty stunning to boot as well, all the way from Laie Point to Waimanalo.  You just can't help but fall in love!

Looking back, we never made it over to this side of the island enough, but we did garner some favorite places in the precious time we did spend here.  Luckily for you all I've listed them down below, so take a look!

FAVORITE EATS

Aloha Salads

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Open from 10AM-9PM daily

Aloha Salads is one of my favorite lunch spots on island!  We don't have much of a sandwich/deli presence here (it's growing!), but Aloha Salads definitely is cornering the market.  They serve fantastic sandwiches, salads, and soups and all of their ingredients are local, coming from farms in Mokuleia, Kahuku, Haleiwa, and Hau'ula.  Their Aloha Caesar and Aloha Mediterranean are two of my favorite kinds of salads (love the shrimp and hummus too!) and there is something about the Roasted Turkey Sub on pita that makes my heart do a little pitter patter.  And the bisques are lovely as well, especially the Lobster!  Luckily for everyone, they also have more locations on island, including in Kapolei, town, and now in the Pearlridge Mall in Aiea.  If only they'd move to Alabama!

Cinnamon's

Picture courtesy of A Place for My Taste

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Open from 7AM to 2PM daily

Breakfast is a big deal on Oahu.  There is lots of competition, especially in little Kailua town here on the windward side.  For whatever reason, Cinnamon's was the first breakfast place I ever tried...and I'll admit it, the last!  I just couldn't get enough of their yummy options like crab cake eggs Benedict (my absolute favorite!) and red velvet pancakes.  Cinnamon's has been a hit with every family member and friend we've taken there as well, so at this point, if it ain't broke, why fix it??  Like the other breakfast places over here, they get VERY busy VERY quickly, so come early (around opening at 7AM) or be prepared for hour-plus long wait times.  It's worth it though!

Teddy's Bigger Burgers

Photo courtesy of Teddy's Bigger Burgers

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Open from 10AM to 9PM daily

Teddy's is actually a pretty popular "chain" on Oahu (and other places), so it has quite a few locations spread around the island including in Aiea, Waikiki, University, Ewa Beach, here in Kailua, Kaneohe, and many others!  My favorite order is a regular teri burger with a side of delicious garlic fries.  I love it since I can never resist a good teri burger.  They also have other items for sale like salads, chicken, fish, and fantastic milkshakes.  You'll most likely find something for everyone's tastes here!

Haleiwa Joe's

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Open from 4:30PM to 9PM Monday-Thursday; 4:30PM to 10PM Friday-Saturday; 10AM to 2PM (brunch) and 4:30PM to 9PM Sunday

Haleiwa Joe's is a delightful little restaurant nestled in the jungle of Kaneohe with a gorgeous view overlooking the beautiful Haiku Gardens.  This restaurant may be affiliated with the Haleiwa Joe's actually located in Haleiwa on the North Shore, but it is decidedly much better when it comes to quality.  Mr. L and I were hesitant to try this place for a long time simply because we had a less-than-positive experience at the North Shore location, but I can assure you that this restaurant fares much better!  I really enjoyed their Sunday brunch option.  You get a full buffet with salad, breakfast items, and even dessert for around $25 a person from 10AM to 2PM.  Very delicious!

FAVORITE SPOTS

Lanikai Beach

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Oh, dreamy, dreamy Lanikai Beach.  Sunrises from here are truly magical, as are days spent lounging in the sand, snorkeling in the breathtaking water, and overall basking in this little slice of paradise.  Lanikai is definitely one of the favorites of everyone I'm able to bring out here and it's pretty obvious why.  The parking situation can be pretty difficult to deal with, but once you get your toes into the sand and wave at the kayakers heading out to the Mokulua Islands, it becomes completely worth it!  

Byodo-In Temple

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The Byodo-In Temple has some of the most gorgeous scenery on island, both with the temple itself and in the background!  It is incredibly picturesque here and was a favorite stop of mine when I wanted to impress any of our guests that came to visit us.  The Byodo-in Temple is actually a smaller-scale replica of a U.N. World Heritage Site temple in Uji, Japan and was established to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii.  I highly recommend giving the temple a visit, seeing the 9-foot golden Buddha, and strolling the beautifully manicured grounds.

Lanikai Pillboxes Hike

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The Lanikai Pillboxes Hike is one of my all-time favorite hikes on Oahu.  You get stunning windward coast views for minimal effort, so it's a great hike to do if you're short on time or just want maximum payout for your exertion.  You can see all the way from Chinaman's Hat to Makapu'u Lighthouse and everything in between.  On a good, clear day, the view will completely knock your socks off!  Like for Lanikai Beach, parking can be really difficult to come by, but it's manageable, especially if you don't mind walking.  The first part of the hike is also very steep, so this might not be the best hike for people with knee problems.  Otherwise it's a must do!

La'ie Point

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La'ie Point is a little gem of a location tucked away in La'ie.  It's partly the North Shore and partly the windward side, so I just made an executive decision and included it over here ;)  This is a great location to really get a feel for the power of the ocean since watching the waves pound against the jagged, rough cliffs is pretty mesmerizing.  Cliff jumping is also a popular activity here, but I've personally never done it -- I like my feet on solid ground!

Bellows Beach

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Bellows is hands down one of the most beautiful beaches over here on the windward side, and that's saying a lot because there is some stiff competition!  The sand is incredibly soft, the water is such a gorgeous electrifying blue, and the scenery is outstanding.  Bellows is separated into two sections -- the military side and the public side.  If you're able to get on the military side, I definitely recommend doing so since I prefer it over the public side.  Mr. L and I loved this beach so much that we even had some gorgeous sunrise pictures made here with my parents courtesy of Haole Girl Photography.  Let's just say if I could live on a beach, it would be right here.  :)

Ka'iwi Scenic Shoreline

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Mr. L and I always loved visiting the Ka'iwi Shoreline with our dog Lila.  She would have a blast playing with the other dogs at the "dog beach" area and swimming in the tide pool area with us.  It's also a great place for finding little creatures on the rocks and getting in some nice coastal exploration.  If you find yourself on the hike to Makapu'u Lighthouse, make a detour after a take a little swim in the water to cool off.  It's totally worth it!  

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Other posts in my Oahu Favorites mini-series:

My North Shore Oahu Favorites

My Honolulu and South Oahu Favorites

My Central and Leeward Oahu Favorites

Steamed Crab Legs with Old Bay Seasoning Mix

Mr. L and I have a long history with crab legs.  He introduced them to me probably close to a decade ago and we've both shared a love for them ever since.  He even proposed to me over a plate at one of our favorite restaurants back home!  You could definitely say we can be pretty picky when it comes to how we like them.

That's why I was thrilled to find the seasoning mix listed in this recipe (I did change the cooking method from boiling to steamed however).  Normally, we just steam the crab legs in either plain water or with a crab boil bag, but we found that we actually loved the flavor combination of this seasoning mix, especially since Old Bay was the main ingredient.  This will be our go-to crab leg recipe from now on whenever we decide to make them at home!

Adapted from Enjoy Your Cooking

Ingredients [2 servings]

• 2 lbs snow crab legs, frozen
• 3-4 cups of water
• 3 tbsp Old Bay seasoning
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 3-4 bay leaves
• 10-15 whole black peppercorns

Directions

Place your crab legs in a colander and rinse off the excess ice.  Fill your pot with 3-4 cups of water or up to the steamer insert -- whichever works for you.  (This is similar to the pot I always use when steaming crab legs.)

In a small bowl, mix together the Old Bay, garlic powder, bay leaves, and peppercorns and add them to the water in your pot.

Bring to a rolling boil and then add the crab legs.  Cook for about 8-10 minutes or until the legs are completely heated through.  Make sure to rotate the clusters every few minutes or so to ensure even heating.

When finished, remove your crab legs from the pot and serve immediately with some melted butter.

Do you enjoy a juicy cluster of crab legs?

Seven for Sunday

1.  This past week was INSANE, but we accomplished everything we needed to!

2.  You were so great during everything.  You really pushed through your pain and did what you needed to do and I'm so proud of you for it.

3.  Isn't it so nice to be home??

4.  But at the same time, I know we both miss a lot of things about Hawaii.  It's a bittersweet time.

5.  We got to see our puppies!!!

6.  Thank you for everything it took to get us to this point.  You're amazing!

7.  Even though we still have a lot to do ahead of us, I'm hoping we get a little while to just breathe and relax.  We need it!

ily <3

Retirement Day

Mr. L, 

Today is your retirement day!  I am going to be honest -- it's so strange saying something like that.  We're both so young!!  You just turned 29!  Our lives are just getting started!  But that is the hand we have been dealt, so c'est la vie.

It's the truth, you know.  Our lives are just getting started.  We both still have so much to see, do, and experience together.  The Navy was an incredible chapter of your life that you got to share with me.  Yes, a lot of it was bad (I'm lookin' at you, deployments!), but so much of it was good.  I loved sharing that sense of adventure and excitement with you, especially around order pickin' time.  Getting to explore new places was a huge gift the Navy gave to both of us and it's something I'll be forever grateful for.

Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond our control, that chapter has been forced to come to an end.  I'm very sad about it, and I think you know that, but like I told you in the car yesterday, the best way for us to move forward with all of these changes is to think positively.  Moping will get us nowhere but feeling sorry for ourselves.  We have to change our outlook and focus on all of the wonderful things retirement will bring you.

For the first time in your adult life, literally the first time, you get to make choices for yourself without a tether.  Yes, that tether may in fact have been a lifeline for a long time, but I promise you, that is no longer the case.  You can and will thrive as a civilian!  The Navy has given you so much experience and knowledge in your field, which was another incredible gift, but now it is time for you to put your talents and brains to use elsewhere.  When you find your next job, they are going to be so lucky to have a person like you working for them.  You shine in so many situations and you will be proving your worth over and over and over again to them tenfold.  As long as you continue to carry your well-deserved confidence and "swagger" along from your Navy days, you will outshine everyone around you!

No matter what circumstances we go through, we will always be going through them together.  You're not alone in all of this.  I'll be whatever you need -- your rock, your confidant, your friend, your strength, your comfort (although I suspect a Therapy Schnauzer might offer better comfort sometimes).  I love you with all of my heart and I cannot wait to see all the wonderful things you achieve throughout your life!!!

Happy retirement day, Chawwie!!

Five for Friday

1.  One more week!!

2.  This next week is probably going to kill us haha.  But we're making great progress!

3.  I'm so glad you passed Capstone!  I was really worried about it, especially the budget part.  But we did it!

4.  Get ready for Kauai!  Woohoo!

5.  I can't wait for you to see the canyon!  I think you're going to love it.

ily <3

Getting to Know Hawaii: My North Shore Oahu Favorites

Since Mr. L and I have been living on Oahu for three years now and are officially leaving very soon, I figured it's probably high time to share with you some of our favorite spots on island.  For now, we'll keep it to one of the most beautiful parts of Oahu -- the North Shore.

It actually took us a couple of months or so after we moved here to even make our way up to the North Shore, but after we did, we pretty much fell in love.  It is fantastic for getting away from the hustle and bustle of town and makes us "country folk" feel a tiny bit more at home, but at the same time there is still PLENTY to do, see, and eat!  So in no particular order, here is my list of favorite eats and favorite sights on the North Shore!

FAVORITE EATS

Dat Cajun Guy

Location
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Open from 10AM to 4PM, closed Sunday and Wednesday

Dat Cajun Guy is probably our favorite food truck on island.  They always have delicious food and wonderfully polite service.  Mr. L's favorite dish is the gumbalaya -- a bowl of jumbalaya with a scoop of gumbo in the middle! -- and my favorite is the fried shrimp po' boy.  We also can't get enough of the fried pickles and the sweet tea -- yum!  Prices are pretty average for Oahu and they do accept credit cards :)

Macky's Shrimp Truck

Location
Website
Open from 9AM to 6:30PM daily

Macky's is my go-to shrimp truck when I'm on the North Shore.  I've tried a lot of other ones and to me, they just do not compare.  Mr. L and I both prefer the garlic butter shrimp (number 1, about $13) -- we can't help that we can't get enough of that sauce!  Keep in mind that they are cash only like many places around these parts.

VJ's North Shore Dogs and Burgers

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Open from 11AM to 6PM Sunday-Friday; 11AM to 7PM Saturday

VJ's is another great food stand located in the same area where Dat Cajun Guy likes to park.  They're known for their 100% organic, non-GMO, grass fed beef and other meats.  The bacon-wrapped hot dog is killer and you cannot go wrong with one of their many burger choices on a toasted taro bun -- even the Bambi burger!  (I know, I felt a little bad for trying it but it was delicious!)  They are definitely a bit pricier than the other food trucks in the area, but they do take credit cards at least!

Matsumoto's

Location
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Open from 9AM to 6PM daily

If you want shaved ice and you're on the North Shore, this is hands-down where you need to go.  We started out in a love affair with rival Aoki's, but once they were forced to shut down due to construction of a shopping mall (boo!) we migrated to Matsumoto's and honestly have been perfectly happy.  Mr. L goes the one-flavor, plain route with a green apple shave ice and I prefer to make rainbow colors with a scoop of delicious vanilla ice cream in the bottom (usually some combination of grape, pineapple, strawberry, banana, honeydew, or lilikoi, depending on how I'm feeling!).  Make sure to get a holder or your shave ice will be dripping all over the place!  Credit cards are accepted as well.

Kahuku Grill 

Location
Website
Open from 11AM to 9PM Monday-Saturday

This is where we stop for lunch during my DIY Oahu Driving Tour if we packed a few snacks and our stomachs can hold out long enough!  It's farther down the North Shore than the other places I have listed, but it is completely worth visiting.  Kahuku Grill is located at the old Kahuku sugar mill and has ono burgers, shrimp, and fish.  Their teri burger is my favorite on island and their fish plate is to die for.  It's probably some of the best fish I've had here period.  If we find a reason to be in the area, you can bet that we will be stopping at Kahuku Grill for a plate!  And thankfully they do take credit cards.  :)

FAVORITE SPOTS

Ka'ena Point Trail

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I can never get enough of this hike.  I've done it from both the North Shore side and the west side many times and I think it just stunning either way.  I even got the opportunity to go four-wheeling up on the North Shore side and it was a lot of fun!  It just seems like there's so much to check out every time I visit, like secret beaches, tide pools, and, of course, the albatross sanctuary located at the northwestern tip of the island where monk seals also like to hang out.  I will always highly recommend checking out Ka'ena Point to anyone who visits Oahu!

Waimea Bay

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Waimea Bay is a picture perfect slice of heaven on the North Shore.  It took me a while to finally get here thanks to crazy crowds, but it was SO worth it when I finally did.  This is what I always thought of when I thought of a beach in Hawaii.  During the summer, the water is as smooth as glass and very, very inviting.  You can jump from the big rock to the left, snorkel near the far rocks on the right, or simply soak the day away in that wonderful Hawaiian sunshine.  In the winter, the waves are huge as is the surfing competition that's held here as long as the waves are big enough.  The only downside is that you have to get here early (7-9AM, depending on if it's a holiday or not) or risk not being able to park anywhere close by.

Shark's Cove

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Shark's Cove is a beautiful rocky, reefy area on the North Shore that is absolutely perfect for snorkeling, diving, and frolicking in the summertime.  There are two sections -- a deeper area for diving and snorkeling to the left and a shallower, rockier area to the right that's great for kids (and adults too!) since the rock wall helps keep the wave action to a minimum.  During the winter though, the waves will definitely crash beyond this rock wall, and the water in the deeper section becomes a bit too rough for snorkeling.  There aren't really any big, sandy areas here, so it's not much of a "laying out" beach.  And reef shoes are an absolute MUST -- trust me!


Pu'u O Mahaku Heiau State Park

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This heiau (Hawaiian temple) is the largest on Oahu and is a sight to behold.  I enjoy it so much that it eventually made its way onto my DIY Driving Tour after getting a post of its own.  The views are stunning along the trails that go around the stone walls and the heiau itself is very humbling.  This particular temple is estimated to have been built sometime in the 1600s and was used to communicate with another heiau on the island of Kauai with signal fires among other things.  Since this is a sacred site for Hawaiians, please be respectful and do not enter the heiau or touch any of the rocks.


Papa'iloa Beach

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This beach was a recent find, but is honestly such a gem and just so happens to be the beach in my title picture :)  Mr. L and I randomly decided to go check it out after seeing it on Yelp and we fell in love.  There was only one other person the first time we went, and when we went back on a weekend, there were probably only a dozen or so people scattered around.  We loved the relative seclusion!  And it just so happens that it's a GREAT place to watch for honu since there's tons of algae around the shoreline.  We hope to be making it back here a couple more times before we finally say aloha to Oahu!

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Other posts in my Oahu Favorites mini-series:
My Windward Oahu Favorites
My Honolulu and South Oahu Favorites
My Central and Leeward Oahu Favorites