From the kitchen of cara{Cav} comes these wonderful recipes, my thanks to her as I head back to Australia to take care of a family emergency. I am sure I will try them soon .

Baked Shrimp, New Orleans Style

* 2 pounds of large shrimp unpealed and with heads on
* 1/2 pound {2 sticks} of margarine, melted
* 4 cloves of garlic, chopped
* 2 tablespoons of paprika
* 2 teaspoons of coarse ground black pepper
* 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne
* 1/2 teaspoon of salt
* 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 450
2. Put the shrimp in a large baking pan anad spred evenly
3. Combine the remaining ingredients in a smal saucepan and mix well
4. Pour mixture over the shrimp and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring a few times durng the cooking time.
5. Serve with lots of hot french bread to "sop up" the butter and juices.

Emerald Egg Salad

* 1 meduim head of Iceberg lettuce, washed and broken into small bits
* 1 bunch of chopped green onions
* 1{10-ounce package of frozen green peas, cooked and drained
* 1 pound of bacon, fried crisp, drained and crumbled
* 1 cup of mayonnaise
* 1 cup of sour cream
* 1 envelope of ranch style dry salad dressing mix

1. In a large bowl, form one layer of each item, beginning with the lettuce, then the green onions, then the peas, bacon and four of the sliced eggs.
2. Make the dressing by combining the maronnaise, sour cream and dressing mix. Mix well until creamy and smooth
. 3. Pour dressing over the salad layers.
4. Top with the remaining eggs
5. cover and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving

Floating Island

*2 cups plus 2 tablesppons of sugar
*4 heaping tablesppons of flour
* 6 cups of scalded milk
* 6 egg yolks, beaten
* 1 teaspoon of vanillia extract
* 3 drops of almond extract
* 6 egg whites
* grated nutmeg

1. In a large dutch oven, mix together tow cups of the sugar, the flour, scalded milk and egg yolks over meduim heat. Stir slowly and constantly with a wodden sppon until the misture thickens slightly.{It should b thick enough to coat the spoon}
2. When the mixture has thickened, add the vanilla and almond extract, then stir and remove from heat.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the egg whites until firm, but not stiff. Then slowly add two tablespoons of sugar and beat until stiff.
4 Gently and slowly add the warm milk and egg mixture into the bowl wit the egg whites. {The egg whites will float to the surface like floating islands.}
5 sprinkle with nutmeg before serving.
makes 12 servings

I hope to be back online shortly, and that you all do your utmost to see my FreeCompanion is never down in spirits.

Thank you

Opal