Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Shrimp Fra Diavolo


Ingredients:
  • 1 pound large shrimps, peeled and deveined
  • 1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, sliced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
Directions:
  1. In a medium bowl, combine shrimps, salt, and red pepper flakes.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Add shrimps and saute for 2 minutes, remove from heat immediately and set aside. Saute the onions in the same skillet until translucent which is about 5 minutes then add the tomatoes, wine, garlic, and oregano. Simmer until the sauce thickens which is about 10 minutes.
  3. Return the shrimps to the sauce mixture and cook for about a minute for the flavors to meld together. Transfer to a beautiful serving dish and sprinkle with fresh basil leaves. 

Monday, February 27, 2012

Spicy Mango Salsa


Ingredients:
  • 2 cups diced fresh mango
  • 2 cups fresh peaches, pitted and chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced tomato
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil or cilantro
  • 2 & chile peppers, diced
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
Directions:
  1. In a large bowl, mix everything together. 
  2. Add the chilies and lime juice to taste. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. 

Friday, February 24, 2012

Fresh Asparagus and Lump Crab Salad


Ingredients:
  • 2 small bunches of fresh asparagus
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 3 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1 tablespoon minced shallots
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon chopped chervil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped tarragon
  • 1 pound fresh lump crabmeat or store-brought ready to eat lump crabmeat is fine too
Directions:
  1. Trim off about 2 inches from the bottom of the asparagus. Boil a large pot of salted water. Add the asparagus and cook for 3 minutes then remove and place in a bowl of ice water for 2 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, shallots, garlic, chervil, and tarragon. Season with salt and pepper. Add the crabmeat and mix well. Season with salt again if needed.
  3. Arrange the asparagus on a platter and spoon crabmeat mixture over the center of the asparagus. Serve this beautiful and unique salad!

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Onion Soup with Fontina


Ingredients:
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 large Vidalia onions, sliced
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 4 cups beef broth
  • 4 slices ciabatta bread, cubed
  • 4 ounces fontina cheese, sliced
Directions:
  1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat then add the onions and season with salt and pepper. Cook until onions are tender which is about 10 minutes. Add the fresh thyme leaves and broth. Simmer until onions are soft which is about 15 minutes.
  2. Divide the soup into 2-4 ovenproof ramekins. Divide the cubed bread among the ramekins. Top each with slices of fontina cheese. Place under the broiler about 5 minutes or until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Serve immediately.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Alsace and Bordeaux Bread Pudding


Ingredients:
  • 1 loaf French bread or 12 bread slices
  • 5 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups half-n-half
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 stick of butter
  • 4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup raisins
Directions:
  1. Slice bread and arrange slices in a buttered flat baking dish in 2 rows and 2 layers.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half-n-half, milk, sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth. Pour mixture over bread slices, make sure all are covered with the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  3. Preheat oven to 350º. Sprinkle raisins over the top and bake for 45 minutes or until puffed and golden. Serve hot.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Ultimate Oatmeal Raisin Cookies


Ingredient:
  • 2 sticks of butter, melted
  • 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 cups oatmeal
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375º.
  2. Mix butter, sugar, and eggs together. In another bowl, combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and oatmeal. Cream both mixtures together. Add the raisins and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
  3. Drop dough by round teaspoonfuls or mini ice cream scoop on to baking sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Let cool and serve!

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Golden Rum Cake


Ingredients:
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
  • 1 package yellow cake mix
  • 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 cup butter
  • 1 1/2 cup dark rum
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1 cup sugar
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 325º. Grease a Bundt cake pan then sprinkle walnuts evenly over the bottom.
  2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, and sugar. Mix in the eggs, milk, butter, and rum. Mix batter until smooth.
  3. Pour batter into the cake pan. Bake for 1 hour or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean.

Monday, February 13, 2012

Fettuccine con Prosciutto


Ingredients:
  • 1 package egg fettuccine
  • 1/3 pound prosciutto di parma
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup half-n-half
  • 1 cup grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
  • Sea salt and black pepper
Directions:
  1. Cook pasta til al dente in a large pot of boiling salted water. Drain and set aside. Slice prosciutto ham into thin strips then set aside.
  2. In a large skillet, melt the butter and add half-n-half cream. Add the cheese and cook for 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat and immediately add in pasta and prosciutto. Toss until the sauce evenly coats the pasta. Serve the masterpiece!