shrimp & pancetta over polenta

Last night I was in the mood for something different. I've been in the chicken/beef rut lately. I was pondering shrimp, then pork, then I came across this recipe that combine both, so I figured why not? Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 cup instant polenta
• 1/4 pound pancetta, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 1 (14-ounces) can diced tomatoes in juice
• 1 pound cleaned large shrimp
• Parsley for garnish

Cook the polenta according to the package instructions in a medium saucepan until thickened and creamy, about 5-8 minutes. Remove from heat and season with salt, then cover and set aside.

Cook the pancetta, garlic and red pepper flakes in 2 tablespoon oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat, stirring until the garlic is pale golden and the pancetta begins to crisp a bit, 5 minutes or so. Add the tomatoes with their juice and simmer until the liquid is reduced, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until they're just cooked through, about 3 minutes.

Spoon polenta into bowls and top with shrimp mixture. Drizzle with remaining tablespoon oil, season with pepper and sprinkle with parsley. Done and done.

Bon chappétit!

chicken w/roasted grapes and shallots

Roasted grapes? You might think that equals raisins. I did. However, that was not the case. The case was that they baked with a chicken breast and some shallots to create a great tasting dish. Here's what you'll need:

• Chicken breast
• 2 shallots, peeled and halved
• A handful of seedless grapes, halved (I used a mixed of red and green)
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon thyme, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic
• Salt and pepper

The recipe I based this on said to just straight-up bake the chicken. However, baking chicken always scares me. It always seems to take way longer than the recipe calls for, and even then, the chicken isn't quite done. Because of this, I decided to sauté the chicken for just five minutes or so with half the oil, the garlic, salt and pepper.

While that's going, cut up the grapes and shallots and chopped the thyme. Combine all three into a small both and mix with the remaining teaspoon of olive oil.

When the chicken is browned, place it in a piece of tinfoil in a glass baking dish and surrounded it with the grape mixture. Loosely cover and bake at 400 degree for about 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.

Super easy to prepare, and the flavors really complimented each other. I don't even normally like grapes that much, but I wish I'd put even more in because they were just that good. Give it a try.

Bon chappétit!

steak w/pomegranate glaze

I'm back! Truth be told, I never left. I've still been cooking, but I haven't been trying anything new or adventurous the past few weeks - just sticking to old standbys that have already been posted. Tonight though - lo! - I was back on the foodie horse, trying out some new ingredients that haven't been featured on the blog before. As usual, it was delicious (otherwise I wouldn't post it here). Here's what you'll need:

• 1 top sirloin steak
• Peppercorn mélange, coarsely ground
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1/2 cup pomegranate juice
• 2 teaspoons (packed) golden brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar, divided
• 2 cups arugula
• Salt

Begin sprinkling each side of the steak with the chopped rosemary, salt and pepper. Give each side a pat to really make them stick. Heat 1/2 teaspoon olive oil over medium-high heat in a non-stick skillet. Add the steak and cook for about 5 minutes on each side, flipping only once for medium to medium-well doneness. When finished, place the steak on a cutting board and let it sit for about 5 minutes.

While that's going, toss the arugula with the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar. Set aside.

Once the steak is done, add the pomegranate juice, remaining teaspoon of balsamic and brown sugar to the skillet to deglaze. Lightly boil for about 5 minutes or so. You want this to reduce down to a thick glaze.

Slice the steak, pile on to the arugula salad and drizzle the pomegranate glaze on top. A delicioso meal in under 20 minutes.

Bon chappétit!