Q: What do you do with a blue whale?

A: Cheer it up.

Cheer yourself up with this easy and elegant dinner. Shrimp stars in a margarita flavored sauce alongside a simple toss of avocado and arugula. Olé!

Sautéed Margarita Shrimp

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1 lb peeled, deveined uncooked large shrimp (21 to 30 count)
1/2 cup sliced green onion, divided
3 tablespoons tequila
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
1 teaspoon grated lime peel
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
2 limes, cut into wedges
2 Avocados, sliced
Arugula
Extra-virgin olive oil
Black pepper
Rice, to serve (I used yellow rice)

Directions:

1. Melt 2 tablespoons of the butter in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp; cook 4 minutes or until shrimp turn pink, stirring frequently.

2. Add 1/4 cup of the green onions; cook 30 seconds, stirring. Add tequila, lime juice, lime peel and hot pepper sauce; cook and stir about 1 minute or until slightly reduced. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Cook until melted.

3. Remove skillet from heat; stir in remaining 1/4 cup green onions. Sprinkle with salt and garnish with lime wedges.

4. Toss arugula with avocado. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with pepper and serve alongside shrimp.

Serves 4

Recipe from CookingClub.com

I adore this quirky and totally lovely song by The Pool Whales….and there is some hanging out in the kitchen.

“You were standing at the closet, staring at the hamper.
Our dirty clothes will mingle forever after.
Come over here, sit next to me, like they sing about in songs.
I’m still enamored with the way your soft hand touches my arm hair.

Hold me close. Don’t let me go.
Honey, I just want to hang out with you.
Hold me close. Don’t let me go.
Honey, I just want to hang out with you.

You were hanging out in the kitchen, labeling the spices.
I was doing some dishes for a sense of accomplishment.
Come over here look into my eyes like they often portray on film.
I’m still enthralled with the way it all can still give both of us a thrill.

Hold me close. Don’t let me go.
Honey, I just want to hang out with you.
Hold me close. Don’t let me go.
Honey, I just want to hang out with you.”

Sadly, The Pool Whales are no longer, but you can buy their music on Bandcamp and link to the band members’ new projects.

Cheers!