Featured Friday, Volume 1.6

Unbelievable. It's been well over a month since I wrote a Featured Friday post, and in the time between then and now, I turned thirty, hiked the Grand Canyon, and have been out for more free meals than I probably should have. This post is long overdue and I'm looking forward to sharing some of the articles I've been reading in my limited spare time.

A Healthier Version of an Old-Time Favorite

I think panko-crusted shrimp is one of the easiest and most elegant appetizers that you can make for your guests. You can season the breadcrumbs any way you'd like and pair the shrimp with any number of different dipping sauces, from spicy to sweet. But a lot of people are averse to pan-frying, which is the method I use, or are looking for ways to satisfy their craving for fried food without investing in a deep-fryer. Thankfully, over at High/Low Food/Drink, there's a recipe for Oven-Baked Panko and Coconut Shrimp that you can make and enjoy without feeling guilty afterwards once you've realized that you've eaten a pound of jumbo shrimp by yourself!

Brie for Breakfast? Why Not?

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. When it comes to breakfast choices, I'm not normally a French toast person. I like my eggs and my home fries and the various sorts of breads that come on the side. But I've almost always found French toast and pancakes to be too much for me in the morning -- or early afternoon, if we're talking about brunch -- and I let the French toast ordering fall into the hands of my boyfriend. But the Stuffed French Toast with Brie and Berries from Maria at Two Peas and Their Pod might just be enough to change my mind about French toast forever!

If Only I Weren't Allergic to Cranberries...

One of my earliest -- and continued -- food blogger influences has been Jaden from Steamy Kitchen. She inspired my Honey Soy Flank Steak (hell, I named the recipe after her!), and if it were possible to gain weight just by reading recipes and looking at pictures of food, then her blog would be the sole reason why I ballooned up to 250 pounds. (We're talking hypothetically here. I'm fairly certainly I barely tip the scales over a number with three digits. *sigh*) Jaden posted a recipe for Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Cranberry Pistachio Pesto that caused me to salivate even though I'm allergic to cranberries and would never be able to prepare the recipe or to eat the dish. Someone, please, make her Brussels sprouts and tell me if they're as amazing as they look!

POM Wonderful: The Versatile Juice

Juice isn't just for drinking anymore, especially when it comes to POM Wonderful. Over a year ago, I created my Fiery Pomegranate Sauce with the stuff and, to date, that recipe still gets the most views on Taste As You Go! Jen at My Kitchen Addiction has created a dressing, her Raspberry POM Walnut Vinaigrette, that I must, must, must make and use over my next summer salad. She shows you that it's incredibly simple to make homemade dressing with fresh seasonal ingredients that will taste a thousand times better than the processed bottled dressing that you'll find in your local grocery store.

Have a fantastic Father's Day weekend, everyone!

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