What's for Dinner? Cilantro Lime Shrimp and Sausage

Weekly meal planning is how I stay sane and keep everyone fed during the work week.  We don't always do the best job meal planning from week to week but when we do - dinner is super easy because we're not trying to figure out what we're going to make while the girl is telling us she's hungry!  And our dinners are at least 4 star worthy!

So last night Cilantro Lime Shrimp and Sausage was on the menu!  This is a modified Weight Watchers recipe - that has more meat in it to satisfy John!  And you don't hear me or the girl complaining...as for the boy - he doesn't have any teeth - yet, so he just gets mama's milk.

So here's what you need:
2 limes
cumin
ground giner
crushed garlic
olive oil
cilantro
1Lb precooked shrimp
1Lb sausage of your choice


Step 1: cook sausage in the oven at 350.  This cuts down prep time and helps get dinner on the table much quicker.  I threw the sausage in when I got home from work, then I went and picked up the kids from daycare.  By the time we got home, got everyone in the house and unpacked the kids bags - the sausage was done so I just turned off the oven and left the sausage there until I needed it.

Step 2: squeeze the juice of 1 lime into a bowl

Step 3: Garlic!

Add as much or as little garlic as you desire!  I love garlic as does every one else in this house so I put in a generous dollop of the crush garlic from Trader Joes. (I'm a fan of easy prep!)

 

 Step 4:  zest the second lime then juice it!

Step 5: Add cumin, powdered ginger (you can use real ginger if you have it - it seems I never do when we make this!), salt, and olive oil. 

Here's what all that looks like when you mix it in with the lime juice, lime zest and the garlic!

Step 6: Time to chop up and add the cilantro.  This is one of my favorite herbs.  Its right up there with sage, mint and rosemary! We even grow it in our garden!

Step 7: Its time for the Shrimp to bathe in this lovely and tasty marinade!  I used cooked shrimp so it wouldn't become ceviche - that's not what we're going for here!

Stir in the shrimp, and then pop it in the refrigerator until you're ready to toss it together with the sausage in a saute pan.

Step 8: pull the sausage out of the oven and transfer to a cutting board so you can cut it up into little disks - makes it easier for little fingers to sneak nibbles while mom's back is turned!

As I was warming up the saute pan to toss the sausage and the shrimp together the girl snatched several bites!

Step 9: Combine the shrimp (marinade too!) and the sausage into as saute pan to heat up.

First minute in the pan

After about 10mins!

Close up! Yum!

Step 10: Serve!  Last night I served this over pasta.  I think rice would actually complement this better though. So, next time I'll sever it over rice and see how it is!  We had sauted green beans as our vegetable - which you can never go wrong with.

Usually I make enough so I have enough for lunch the next day.  Saves money, as I won't be buying lunch and ensures a healthy lunch!