Do you want to hear a crazy story? It’s actually an old story, but it relates to the inspiration for this shrimp appetizer recipe.
Shrimp and Avocado Appetizers
A year ago we sold our home. The house we purchased was an estate sale that turned into a short sale. Try that one on for size! The owner had been a divorced man who’d had a heart attack and died – in the house. He hadn’t made mortgage payments for several months before his death. Thus the estate/short sale.
Needless to say, it was a very odd situation. The house was full of his possessions up to a week before we moved in. His family members had never claimed them.
Shrimp Salad Appetizer Mixture
There were several days when misgivings took over, and I regretted our decision to move. It was too late for that! We’d sold our home, and unless we wanted to move twice and rent for awhile, we had to proceed. Besides, we loved the house. I admit it was a bit creepy that someone had died there, but we figured we would get over that once we moved in.
Turns out all things happen for a reason, or if you are a Believer, God has a plan. Once we moved in I discovered that I was already acquainted with one of my neighbors who worked in the offices above me. One day we were cleaning up the yard and Ruth’s husband came over to chat. When I told him where I was employed, he exclaimed “Ruth works for the school district up in HR!”
You might be thinking, “Big deal, lots of people move and find out they know people in their neighborhood.” I’m sure that’s true, however, I live on an acre in a small country neighborhood. I would agree the odds would be much greater if I lived in the city.
All this is to say that Ruth and I are fast becoming good friends, and I do believe I’ve landed where I belong. The other day she wandered over for a glass of wine, these colorful shrimp and avocado appetizers, and some terrific conversation.
I told you this was a crazy story. Enjoy your weekend!
Shrimp and Avocado Boats
Shrimp and Avocado Boats
Serves 4
- 28 ea shrimp , 26 – 30 shrimp per pound, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
- ¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
- 1 large avocado, cut into small cubes
- ¾ cup artichoke hearts, chopped
- ½ cup low fat feta, crumbled
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup low fat plain yogurt
- 1 tsp honey
- 4 cups endive leaves, cleaned and dried
1. Heat oil over medium heat in a large non-stick skillet. Sprinkle shrimp with lemon pepper seasoning and cook for 3 – 4 minutes until just cooked through. Do not over cook, or your shrimp will be tough. It should just start to curl and no longer be opaque.
2. Chop shrimp in small pieces and chill in the refrigerator while you combine ingredients for the rest of the salad.
3. Combine lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, mustard, yogurt, honey and 1/4 feta cheese in a blender until smooth.
4. In a large bowl combine onion, avocado, artichoke hearts, shrimp, remaining feta and dressing. Chill for 15 – 30 minutes to combine flavors and chill.
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 248, Weight Watchers PointsPlus 6
Total Fat: 14.64g
Cholesterol: 70mg
Sodium: 517mg
Total Carbs: 17.15g
Dietary Fiber: 8.78g
Sugars: 6.28g
Protein: 12.71g
Please see disclaimer for further details. Nutrition information is compiled with MacGourmet. If you find discrepancies, please let me know. It’s important to me that I provide you with accurate information.
Yep, a bit of a crazy story, but isn’t it nice to make such a good new friend? It’s nice to have someone to close to share a spontaneous glass of wine with, add in some some of that shrimp and avocado (a match made in heaven!!) and you have a wonderful evening. Congrats on the new house!
Kim – Liv Life recently posted..Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes with Chunky Blueberry Sauce
Thank you! We are really enjoying it here.
I am a huge fan of all kinds of salads! This looks so good with all the precious ingredients!
Angie’s Recipes recently posted..Orange and Fennel Salad
Ruth seemed to enjoy it, that’s for sure. Of course, a good glass of wine and great conversation didn’t hurt either.
It’s such a small world. I love how you can pop around to neighbours and have a glass of wine
How cool is that? Oh, and of course for these delicious boats, too. They look SO tasty. Pity I didn’t live nearby since would love to drop in on you next time like that! Have a great weekend.
Jill Colonna recently posted..Salted Caramel Sauce Caramel au beurre salé
It’s really cool. We didn’t have that fun in our old neighborhood. I wish you lived closer, I’d love to have a cooking buddy!
mmm..no comment, just love this recipe!
Sandra recently posted..Warm and Cheesy Gnocchi Salad
Great post! It’s so nice to get a friend to pop over for some good conversation and great food!
That’s an interesting play on flavors. I do love both, shrimp and avocado, so I wouldn’t have a problem with fusing them together.
It really is, I’m really enjoying it!
while reading the story i thought you’re going to say that after moving in, you discovered the house is haunted – brrr, that would be creepy
A little bit of everything recently posted..Olive oil Rosemary Bread
I had my suspicions that it would be. Thank God that wasn’t the case!
Yes, everything happens for a reason! It sounds a tad bit creepy knowing that somebody died! That was one reason I did not want to get a heirloom chair from my mother-in-law because some great-great-uncle died on it while sleeping…
But new, growing frienship is worth everything!
Ilke recently posted..Food Knows No Boundaries!
It was creepy at first. Then I found out the guy wasn’t such a nice guy and that’s why his family didn’t go out of their way to collect his things. Even stranger! Oh well, we’re happy here now and the house has good vibes.
Everything always happens for a reason! Here’s to wonderful new neighbors and great appetizers.
Cheers!
What a nice story…and so fun you can share your marvelous food with a new friend. I’d coming running over, too, if I knew you were serving this!!! YUM!
Liz recently posted..Short Ribs in Red Wine and Port
It is surely nice to be able to walk across the street and visit!
delicious looks wonderful combination
Everything does happen for a reason and you’re where you should be at this time. My kids would love this combo. I’d probably make a batch with chicken in it for me. Oh, and I’ll take a glass of wine with that also. Great story and recipe.
I’m sure you are right. There were so many little incidences that remind me this is where I belong. Chicken would be good too. I’ll have to try that.
LOL !!! indeed crazy . But i can understand your story if not any one else. I moved to US after my wedding and I don’t have any friend out here . It’s only few months now, but in between I met lot of people, but none to click with ..you know what i mean. So you are lucky .. enjoy!
Kankana recently posted..Mushroom Noodle
You’ll click with someone soon. I know it. You have me as a blog friend for sure!!
Kristi, what a fabulous appetizer, healthy and tasty…..very nice:)
I really like the combination of shrimp and avocado. I would make this recipe again.
That is an interesting story!! Funny how things work sometimes!!
These sound delish! I love the idea of using the endive boats!!
I liked them for the calorie saving benefits, but I found the shrimp salad really stood out when it wasn’t competing a cracker.
Oh that sounds so good! It looks so tasty, I wish I could reach right into the photo and grab some. I have been in an avocado mood lately.
Kristen recently posted..Welchs Juice Coupon Giveaway and Health History
We just came back from Cabo. I ate enough avocado for an army. Delicious!
That looks really yummy! And yes, I believe things happen for a reason and that God has the best plan for us
. So glad that you made a great friend!
Sharon @ Fun and Life recently posted..Peachy Pink At Wagamama
So true!
I like this dish, cause I like most of those ingredients. And I haven’t tried them together
)
Medeja recently posted..Cacao Semolina Porridge- Kakavinė manų košė
The ingredients worked well together. Simple too. You could easily use those pre-cooked salad shrimp and save some time. I just had the bigger shrimp in the freezer already.
I love using endive as a scooper! I wish I were your neighbor so you could make me wonderful hors d’eouvres!
Katie@Cozydelicious recently posted..Golden Onion Dip
Endive is a bit pricy, but not really compared to some of the higher end crackers I would have used, and much healthier.
Great story. I have a salad recipe that uses endive as the little “boat”. It’s a pretty and kinda fancy way to serve up an appetizer if you ask me. I love this combination for your salad. Another bookmarked.
Lea Ann recently posted..Bob’s Spiced Rubbed Salmon with Cilantro-Lime Butter
I agree. It makes for an easy presentation, doesn’t it.
You are so lucky to have a friend so close by you and be able to meet and share views! These shrimps sound like the perfect appetizer for me!
Katerina recently posted..Yogurt Chicken
We made a meal of them!
This looks really yummy. I love the textures of shrimp and avocado!
The avocado added a nice creamy texture.
That is definitely some story, nice that you found eachother and can share such lovely treats as these
We are having a good time getting to know one another.