Garlic and Parsley Stuffed Shrimp

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I moved into a new apartment this weekend.

Daniel.

Me.

1 large sofa

1 [quite massive] kitchen table with 4 chairs

1 queen mattress and boxed spring

Clothing

Clothing

Clothing

Kitchen stuff

Kitchen stuff

Even more kitchen stuff

No really, why is there so much kitchen stuff?

Okay but come on with the clothes. Really?

Daniel’s Xbox

My megaphone

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Needless to say, Daniel was scraping my limp body off the sidewalk on Friday morning, afternoon, and night.

I [sorely] missed our first Seattle home.

I clung to that Sub Zero refrigerator.

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I told my marble countertops that no one would ever love ’em so good.

I mouthed I miss you already to all twenty-seven of the functions of my microwave.

I looked at that porcelain sink o’ mine and told her she was as purdy as purdy gets. She blushed.

Daniel didn’t understand why I’d miss it so. Kiddo, we’re moving to another great place! The new apartment has more charm; it’s homey; we’ll make it our own! Hey! There’s a backyard!

But b-bu- but- oh nevermind.

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The only one who seemed to understand my plight was my dear friend, Edna. She’s 8 years old, also a chihuahua, and she lives across the hall. We get each other. You know how it goes.

It’s not the bedroom that I’ll fret over. Not the bathroom, the closets, or the windows doubly as tall as me.

No, it’s the kitchen.

I’ll miss her dearly.

But I’m getting cozy with my new one. Figuring out the right sway from stove to sink to supper table. It’s going to take a week or two to find my groove. It’s going to take a week or two, but I’ll make her mine. I’ll stock her silly with microplanes and garlic presses and no less than 6 (uh huh, six) tubs of marshmallow Fluff.

I bet you’re *interested to know what the first meal I made in my new place was?

*Make believe.

Roasted stuffed shrimp.

It just felt right. Summery and special. Seattle was positively radiant on Friday and Saturday. 75 degrees, not a cloud over head.

The sun talked me into beaching and kayaking and *margaritas.

*You know how she can be.

I love everything about this dish. The way the olive oil brushed shrimp tend to drip the heady flavor of garlic and parsley and lemon onto my plate. The way shrimp crisps and sort of snaps between my teeth before revealing a juicy, tender middle. The richness of a well seasoned bread stuffing. The way a hot, crisp-skinned tater picks up all of that salty flavor. And how sour cream melts into the all the pierced fork holes in that fluffy potato middle. How chives brighten and refresh the palate between bites.

Just trust me here.

This meal made my fifth move in the past four years bearable. It also made Daniel forgive me for telling him I hated all of his belongings.

I [almost] regret saying it.

Click here for the recipe.

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36 thoughts on “Garlic and Parsley Stuffed Shrimp

  1. Halley

    Congratulations! It sounds like a tricky change but I’m sure this new kitchen will try so hard to please, you’ll have it rolling on its back in no time…. This is reminding me of Beauty and The Beast.

    Also backyard = win.

    Reply
  2. Johnny

    Those shrimp would take the stress out of anything! They look ab..so..lut..ly deelicious!! I think that you and Daniel would make any place you’re in HOME. After all it’s not the place but who’s in it! :) Have a great week getting to know your new home!

    Reply
  3. Kristi

    Garlic and parsley stuffed shrimp.. oh my. That sounds good.
    I hate moving, but I love going through all my things and getting rid of stuff that I no longer use, but has been hiding in a cabinet I don’t feel like cleaning out. I hope you and your new kitchen become very good friends.

    Reply
  4. KaraHadley

    Um…you left that kitchen why? Ha! I’m sure you’ll very quickly come to love your new kitchen. It’s more about why you do with your kitchen than anything else after all.
    And speaking of clothes — I had 5 big trashbags full when I just moved. I lived in a dorm. I don’t know how I fit that many clothes in one tiny room, but m’gosh, I did it.

    Reply
  5. LizAshlee

    Yay for moving forward! :)I am sure you will settle in and find things that you enjoy even more about your new place!

    Have a wonderful Monday!

    Reply
  6. Sarah

    1)YAY!! Mazel tov for finishing moving! Tt is SUCH a terrible experience, but now you can enjoy your new home!!

    2)Garlic and shellfish…if you didn’t JUST move I would DEFINITELY ask you to come be my roomie/personal chef… ;)

    Reply
  7. Barefootcookingirl

    Moving is more stressfull than divorce. Truly.
    “They” – you know – those university types who do all those reports on why cereal goes limp in milk and such….well, that’s what “they” say….and I believe it, after moving myself last year. 5th time in 6 years. You have my major sympaty, sweetie! :)

    Reply
  8. Kate

    The Seattle sun talked me into margaritas on Saturday too. And BBQ…

    Backyards are wonderful. We moved about 2 months ago to a place with a yard and to just lay in the grass sunning yourself like Seattleites do on the first day that starts to feel like summer is wonderful.

    Reply
  9. Leah @ Why Deprive?

    Moving is terrible. Its like painting – it doesnt seem like such a bad idea until you actually start. But Im pretty sure if someone made these shrimp for me afterwards, moving might actually be worth it.

    Reply
  10. Jessie

    Oh gosh do I relate to your post! Last month I moved into my 5th home in a year. No, that’s not a typo, 5 different addresses in 1 year. No wonder I’m exhausted! I plan to stay put for a while.

    I just got comfortable with my kitchen, and I have to say, as annoying as it is to get settled, it’s really fun to start over in a new space. I enjoy finding a new home for my dish towels, the best space for my dishes, etc.

    From the looks of your shrimp, it doesn’t seem like settling in to your new space has put a damper on your cooking ability!

    Reply
  11. JaNelle

    I totally feel you on the kitchen! The husband/man and I are planning a move and the current kitchen leaves so much to be desired. So unlike you, I’m so ready to leave it haha. But I’m judging all new houses on kitchens and bathrooms.

    Reply
  12. Stephanie @cookinfanatic

    Congratulations on the move and I know you’ll get used to that new kitchen in no time (while also making insanely deliciuos gorgeous food all at the same time!) These stuffed shrimp look so good, what a wonderful warm weather meal :)

    Reply
  13. jill

    I found your blog’s picture on pinterest and chose to check out the recipe. Then I found myself reading your article, too, which barely ever happens! You are so funny!! So glad I stopped by :)

    -Jill from pdx

    Reply

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