Shrimp Scampi

It was 5 o'clock and I didn't have anything planned for dinner. I knew I needed a recipe that was going to be quick and easy or we were going to be ordering pizza. This was the perfect dish, super quick to make and full of flavour.


Ingredients:
1/2 pound Linguine( I didn't have any so I used spaghetti)
1/2 pound large shrimp, cleaned and peeled
2 tbsp fresh garlic, minced
1 tsp lemon zest
1/2 tsp dried chili flakes
1/4 c fresh lemon juice
1/4 c fresh parsley, chopped
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper
*1/2 c white wine(optional)I didn't need to use this

Cook linguine, reserve a few tablespoons of the starchy pasta water.

Season shrimp with salt and pepper. I large skillet, melt butter and olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and chili flake and saute for 2 minutes. Add shrimp and lemon zest. Cook shrimp until they turn pink. Add lemon juice and parsley. Toss in cooked pasta, adding a tablespoon of the pasta water at a time until you reach desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.

*If you would like a more saucy pasta dish, remove shrimp from skillet once they are cooked. Add in 1/2c white wine and turn heat to medium-high. Reduce liquids for 4-5 minutes.

Source:theculinarychronicles.com

Easiest Focaccia

I served this bread with this. This bread only needs 30 minutes to rise. It's the perfect bread if you don't have a lot time. Next time I will serve it with some balsamic vinegar and olive oil.


1 tsp white sugar
1 pkg active dry yeast
1/3 c warm water
2 c all-purpose flour
2 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
1 tbsp fresh rosemary

In the bowl electric mixer, dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water.Let stand until creamy, about 10 minutes. Add flour to yeast mixture; mix until combined. Mix in additional water, 1 tablespoon at a time until all the flour is absorbed. When the dough has pulled together, switch to the dough hook and knead about 5 minutes.

Lightly oil a large bowl, place the dough in the bowl and turn to coat with oil.
Cover with a damp cloth and let rise in a warm place until double, about 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 475 degrees F

Deflate the dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface; knead briefly. Stretch the dough into a rectangular shape and place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Poke dimples in dough. Brush with oil and sprinkle with salt and fresh rosemary.

Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 20 minutes,depending on desired crispness.

Source:Allrecipes

One Pot Spinach and Mushroom Pasta

These one pot pastas are all the rage lately. So I decided to try it. Actually it was a one pan pasta. It was easy, so easy. And it tasted good too. This is how I did it.

Onion, garlic and mushrooms sauteed for about 3 minutes. Add Chicken stock. I used about 3/4 of a carton. Add noodles. I used spaghettini noodles. Bring to a slow boil. Once the pasta is almost done and the chicken stock is almost all absorbed, add ricotta cheese or cream cheese, cheese, and spinach. Let cheese melt and spinach wilt and its ready to go.

Mozzarella And Cheddar Cheese Rolls

I wasnt even going to post these, but this sandwich I made was so beautiful that I couldn't resist showing you.

So, I made this roll recipe. I used white flour. Just before I was done kneading it I added about 1 cup each of mozza and cheddar cheese. Once they were ready for the oven I topped them with grated cheddar.

And this beauty below is just tomato and cream cheese toasted. De-Lish.

P.S.  I've ended my cell phone contract and getting a home phone.  They can't hook the home phone up until Thursday so you won't be able to get ahold of me.  I may phone you from Shawns phone if it's important.  Love you.

Light Brioche Burger Buns

This is the bun recipe I used for the buns for buffalo chicken sliders. The only thing I did different was make 12 instead of 8 buns. You could even make 14-16 because mine were still on the larger side for a slider bun.

Ingredients:
3 tbsp warm milk
1 c warm water
2 tsp instant yeast
21/2 tbsp sugar
11/2 tsp salt
1 large egg
3 c bread flour
1/3 c all-purpose flour
21/2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened

For topping:
1 large egg beaten with 1 tbsp water, for egg wash
Sesame seeds

Directions:
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the milk, water, yeast, sugar, salt and egg.Mix to combine. Add the flours, and mix until incorporated. Mix in the butter. Switch to the dough hook and knead on low for about 6-8 minutes. The dough will be somewhat tacky. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise until double, 1-2 hours.

Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Shape each into a ball and place on baking sheet, 2-3 inches apart. Cover with lightly oiled plastic wrap and let rise again, 1-2 hours, until puffed and nearly doubled.

Set a large metal pan of water on the lowest rack of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F with a rack in the center. Brush the tops of the buns lightly with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake for about 15 minutes rotating halfway through, until the tops are golden brown. Transfer to a rack to cool.

Source:annies-eats.com

Citrus Shrimp Salad

This salad is so simple and yet so tasty.The dressing has a nice light flavour and really brings all the ingredients together. I served it as a dinner salad with a homemade loaf of french bread. If you don't like shrimp, you could always serve it as a side salad without them. This would be a really great summer salad, with the shrimp done on the grill.
Ingredients:
2 oranges, peeled and cut into segments
1 avocado, cut into cubes
2-3 tsp fresh lime juice
6-8 c romaine lettuce
1/2 c red onion, thinly sliced
3/4 lb shrimp, peeled and deviened
1 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced

For dressing:
6 tbsp plain yogurt
3 tbsp fresh lime juice
11/2 tsp sugar
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt

In a large bowl, toss cubed avocado with lime juice to prevent browning. Add oranges, romaine and onions. Toss gently to combine.

to prepare dressing, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to blend.

In a medium saucepan , heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute 1-2 minutes. Add shrimp and cook stirring often for 2-3 minutes or until they turn pink.
Remove from heat and set aside. Shrimp can be served hot or cold over salad.

Just before serving, toss salad with dressing and top with shrimp.

Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Cookies

I used the peanut butter cookie recipe from "Joy Of Cooking". Except I added 1/2 Cup cream cheese. I think because I used all natural 100% peanut butter these cookies are not too sweet, which is nice.  And maybe the cream cheese calms the sugar down too?  Doesn't matter why really, they are just plain and simple goodness.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup cream cheese
Beat until soft

gradually add 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar

Beat in
1 egg
1 cup peanut butter
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. vanilla
1 1/2 cups flour.

Bake at 375 for 12 minutes