shrimp & broccoli rabe

I came across this recipe on nytimes.com. It was a little outside of my comfort zone - being that I've never liked broccoli rabe in the past - but decided to try it anyways. Maybe I'm a glutton for punishment? Well not this time. It was actually pretty great, and super quick and easy. And guess what? I liked the rabe! Is there supposed to be an accent on that: rabé? Whatever, let's get to it.

• Broccoli rabe, tough bottom stems removed. Just get a whole bunch. I thought I had WAY TOO MUCH, but that stuff really wilts down. Just load it on there.
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes (I didn't have this, unless it's the same as red pepper flakes mixed with cayenne pepper, which is what I had and used)
• 3/4 pound large shrimp, peeled 
• 1 large orange (1 teaspoon orange zest, plus the wedges for serving)

shrimp scampi pasta

Continuing the recent streak of pasta dishes - not to mention my second shrimp pasta dish in a few weeks - I bring to you an incredibly quick and easy shrimp scampi recipe. I've never made a "scampi" dish before. Does anyone know what that even means? Let me know in the comments. I Googled it, but it said something about lobster. #GoogleFail. The only scampi I really remember ever having was a chicken scampi dish that my mom used to make back in the day every once in awhile, and I recall really loving it. (Mom, do you still have that recipe?!) Anyways, there's a lot of questions here. Let's get to the meal. Here's what you'll need:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 5 tbsp butter
• 3/4 lb pasta (I used angel hair)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

cilantro shrimp pasta

Sometimes the random, spur of the moment ideas are the best. I was wandering around the market last night, trying to figure out what kind of mood I was in for dinner. I came across some shrimp and I had vague memories of seeing a shrimp and cilantro recipe, so I decided to wing it. It turned out to be one of the best dinners in quite awhile - and it took under 10 minutes to make. Here's what you'll need:

• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Sprinkle of crushed red pepper
• Dash of black pepper and salt
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
• A dozen or so grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 lb. fresh pasta (I used angel hair)
• Grated Parmesan cheese to taste

szechwan shrimp stir-fry

It's been awhile since I'd made a stir-fry (see here and here), but they're so delicious and almost impossible to screw up, I figured why not try another? It's all in the sauce. You'll have to trust me on this one. The ingredients sound a little gross together, and they don't even smell that great when you mix them (I'm really selling this one, huh?), but something happens when you put it all together and it comes out great. You can throw in whatever vegetables you want. I had red and white onions, broccoli and mushrooms laying around. Snow peas and baby corn or carrots would work great as well. Here's what you'll need:

• 8 tablespoons water
• 4 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 3 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup sliced onions
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup chopped broccoli
• 1/2 cup mushrooms
• 12 ounces cooked shrimp, tails removed

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!

shrimp & avocado ceviche

So ceviche. I've heard a lot about. Never tried it...until now. It's good! It's also more of an appetizer, which Dan and I learned the hard way. Still, yummy. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 pound shrimp - peeled, deveined and chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon ketchup
• 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 avocado - peeled, pitted and diced

Place the shrimp and lime juice into a large bowl, and stir to coat. Let stand for about 5 minutes, or until shrimp are opaque (they seriously change color). The lime juice will "cook" them. Mix in the tomatoes, onion, and cilantro until coated with lime juice as well, then cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Remove from the refrigerator, and mix in the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, hot sauce, salt and pepper.

That's it. So friggin' simple. Really delicious though. Went great with Saltines. Also note: this probably made enough for 4-8 people.

Bon chappétit!

shrimp alfredo

So the temperature finally dropped into the absolutely friggid 80s recently (crazy, right?) and it oddly put me in the mood for something heavy and hearty. One of my favorite cold-weather pasta dishes is a super rich alfredo, so I figured why not? Although it was in the "frigid" 80s, I still didn't feel like spending too much time in the kitchen, so instead of making in from scratch, I used a jarred alfredo sauce as a base. I know, sacrilegious! Whatever. It was easy. Here's what you'll need:

• 8 ounces linguine pasta
• 1 tablespoon cup butter
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 pound portobello mushrooms, diced
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 (8 ounces) jar Alfredo sauce (I used Bertolli)
• 1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more to taste
• Salt and pepper to taste

Begin by bringing a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook per package directions, until al dente.

Meanwhile, melt the butter together with the olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Stir in the onion, and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Next, stir in the garlic, red pepper and mushroom and cook over medium-high heat until soft, about another 2 minutes.

Stir in the shrimp, and cook until firm and pink, then pour in the alfredo sauce and Romano cheese and bring to a simmer stirring constantly until thickened, about 2 more minutes. Season with cayenne, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir drained pasta into the sauce, and serve. Simple and delicious, even with jarred sauce.

Bon chappétit!

shrimp, mango & avocado salad

If you follow the blog, you've probably noticed I try to keep things from getting stuck in a rut. In my previous, pre-blog life, dinners pretty much alternated between pastas and meat and potato dishes. But as they say, variety is the spice of life (and the interest of the food blog), so in the spirit of that I'm constantly trying to find things I haven't made before. Last night's dish was a bit further than I typically go - it's the first Asian salad I've had. First time I've used sweet chili sauce. First time I've included mango in a homemade dish. Lots of firsts which, thankfully, paid off. This salad took under 5 minutes to put together and was a welcome change of pace. Really great for summer as well. Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 cup Asian sweet chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
• 12 large shrimp
• 1 large head of Boston lettuce, washed and leaves separated
• 1 large mango, peeled, pitted, cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices
• 1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, cut into 1/3-inch-thick slices
• Salt and pepper to taste

A note before we begin. You have a number of options with the shrimp. You can buy it already cooked/steamed and jump right into the assembly. Or if you get it uncooked, simply sauté in butter and garlic for just a few minutes. I took the lazier route (it's hot in my kitchen!)

Now, get ready for a complex set of instructions. Whisk first 3 ingredients in small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add in the shrimp and toss to coat. Divide lettuce among plates. Alternate mango, avocado, and shrimp atop lettuce on each plate. Drizzle vinaigrette over.

I love when my intro is longer than the actual recipe. Seriously though, try not to have an aneurism over the complex recipe you've just read. Just sit back and enjoy the deliciousness.

Bon chappétit!

shrimp pasta w/ tomato & basil

Today marks another first for the blog - a shrimp dish! I first tried this one several months back, only to totally lose the recipe. I finally found it and decided to break it out again last night. This is probably one of the easier, more simple recipes I make. Howeve, don't let that fool you - the flavors are definitely strong. It's an easy dish to impress. Here's what you'll need:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup white wine (I used a sauvignon blanc)
• 1/2 pound of the pasta of your choosing (I went with angel hair)
• A bunch of tomatoes, chopped (I know, my measurements are crazy exact)
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• 8 ounces crumbled feta cheese (I went with a French feta, but any will do)

Begin by sautéing the garlic in oil, until it begins to open and turn golden. Next, add the shrimp and sauté until the shrimp begins to turn pink. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.* Then, add the tomatoes sliced-side down (see picture), basil and white wine. Simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the tomatoes break down.

While that's going on, begin to boil your water. Cook the pasta per the box directions.

When you have about 2-3 minutes left, add the shrimp back to the pan and sauté with the tomatoes and basil. Drain your pasta and add with the tomato and shrimp sauce. Finish by topping with a healthy sprinkling of feta and you're done. Really simple, really delicious.

Bon chappétit!

*Note: This is to be done if you're cooking raw shrimp. You can also be steamed shrimp and skip this step.