Thursday, August 7, 2014

Shrimp Scampi from Ina Garten



Shrimp Scampi is a definite treat in this house with shrimp being my favorite food!

Doesn't that look delicious?  Beautiful presentation . . .




Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten
2008, Barefoot Contessa Back to Basics, All Rights Reserved

SHOW: Barefoot Contessa
EPISODE: Italian Every Time



Ingredients


    • 2 pounds (12 to 15 per pound) shrimp in the shell
    • 3 tablespoons good olive oil
    • 2 tablespoons dry white wine
    • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
    • 1/4 cup minced shallots
    • 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
    • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
    • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
    • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
    • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 1 extra-large egg yolk
    • 2/3 cup panko (Japanese dried bread flakes)
    • Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Peel, devein, and butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tails on. Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl and toss gently with the olive oil, wine, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Allow to sit at room temperature while you make the butter and garlic mixture.

In a small bowl, mash the softened butter with the garlic, shallots, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolk, panko, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until combined.

Starting from the outer edge of a 14-inch oval gratin dish, arrange the shrimp in a single layer cut side down with the tails curling up and towards the center of the dish. 

Pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the shrimp. 

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until hot and bubbly. If you like the top browned, place under a broiler for 1 minute. 

Serve with lemon wedges.



Easy Corn Fritters



Corn is one of my favorite foods, so naturally corn fritters are something I love. You will find many variations of the recipe on this blog!

This recipe comes from Mr. Food, whose recipes never let me down.

I can make a meal from a plate of these little jewels :)







Ingredients


    • 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
    • 2 teaspoons baking powder
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 eggs, beaten
    • 1/4 cup salsa
    • 1 (14-3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
    • 1 cup fresh or frozen corn (thawed if frozen)
    • 1/4 cup vegetable oil, or more as needed

Directions

In a large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add eggs and salsa; mix well. Stir in both corns.

In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil . Drop batter into hot skillet 1 tablespoonful at a time and cook 4 to 5 minutes, or until golden, turning fritters halfway through cooking. Remove to a covered platter.

Add another tablespoon oil to skillet. When hot, repeat with remaining batter, adding more oil as needed, until all batter is used.





Photo and recipe source 


Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers



A delicious twist to traditional stuffed peppers!







Ingredients


    • 1 lb lean ground beef
    • 1/4 cup chopped onion
    • 1 (1 1/4 ounce) package taco seasoning mix
    • 1 egg, beaten
    • 2 cups cooked rice
    • 4 -6 bell peppers
    • 1 (19 ounce) can diced tomatoes
    • 1 (15 -16 ounce) jar salsa
    • shredded cheddar cheese
    • sour cream



Directions

Combine beef, onion, seasoning mix and egg in a large bowl.

Add rice and mix well.

Cut peppers in half lengthwise; remove seeds and membrane.

Spread tomatoes on the bottom of an ovenproof 12 X 9 inch baking dish. The liquid from the tomatoes will reduce during cooking so if (like me) you like lots of sauce, add about a cup of water. This also helps make the peppers softer.

Place peppers, cut side up, on top of the tomatoes.

Spoon beef mixture into peppers, mounding as necessary.

Top each pepper with salsa.

Bake in preheated 375°F oven for 40-45 minutes or until beef is cooked thoroughly and peppers are soft.

Cover each pepper with cheese and return to oven, under the broiler, until the cheese melts- less than a minute, so watch carefully!

Serve with sour cream and additional salsa.



Nutritional Facts for Southwestern Stuffed Peppers

Serving Size: 1 (398 g)
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
% Daily Value
Calories 435.7
 
Calories from Fat 120
27%
Total Fat 13.3 g
20%
Saturated Fat 5.1 g
25%
Cholesterol 120.2 mg
40%
Sodium 1455.9 mg
60%
Total Carbohydrate 50.0 g
16%
Dietary Fiber 7.4 g
29%
Sugars 11.7 g
47%
Protein 30.4 g
60%

Monday, August 4, 2014

Red Lobster Copycat Shrimp Pasta



Shrimp pasta is my favorite meal ever.  I must have a gazillion recipes posted for different variations.  Well, here is another one that is a copycat version of Red Lobster's Shrimp Pasta.

Although I make this dish often at home, I always order it when we go out for dinner.  What can I say?  I love shrimp pasta with a passion!

Photo and recipe source





Ingredients

    • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
    • garlic cloves (I added more!)
    • lb shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
    • 2/3 cup clam juice (or chicken broth)
    • 1/3 cup white wine
    • cup heavy cream
    • 1/2 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated
    • 1/4 teaspoon dried basil, crushed
    • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crushed
    • ounces pasta, cooked and drained

Directions

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic; reduce heat to low. Simmer until garlic is tender.

Add shrimp and cook over medium-low heat until opaque. Remove, reserve liquid in pan.

Add clam juice (or chicken broth) and bring to a boil.

Add wine; cook over medium high heat for three (3) minutes, stirring constantly.

Reduce heat to low; add cream, stirring constantly.

Add cheese, stirring until smooth. Cook until thickened.

Add shrimp back in to sauce. Heat thoroughly.

Add remaining ingredients except pasta.

Put pasta in a large bowl and pour sauce over pasta; toss gently to coat.

Serve with additional grated parmesan cheese.




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