Shrimp & Orzo Salad

Ingredients

3/4 lb shrimp, shelled and deviened

3 tablespoons EVOO, plus 1/3 cup more

1 garlic clove, minced, plus one more

S&P to taste

1 lb tri color orzo pasta

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

1/2 red onion, finely diced

1 pint cherry tomatoes, sliced on a bias

1/4 cup fresh basil, chiffonade

3 oz crumbled feta cheese

S&P to taste

Directions

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

Season the shrimp with 3 tablespoons of EVOO, 1 garlic clove, minced and S&P. Place on a sheet in a single layer and cook for 7 minutes. Set aside to cool.

At the same time cook orzo to package directions.

Whisk together 1/3 cup EVOO, red wine vinegar, minced garlic and S&P to taste. Then add the red onion, tomatoes, feta cheese, cooled orzo and shrimp.

Shrimp & Pasta for Two

Ingredients

1/2 lb peeled deveined shrimp

1/2 lb whole wheat angel hair pasta

2 tablespoons EVOO + a little more for the water

1 tablespoon montreal steak seasoning

1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 lemon zested and juiced

1 garlic clove minced

1 tablespoon parsley finely chopped

1 tablespoon fresh grated parmesan + more for garnish

Directions

Bring a pot of water to boil for the pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the strachy water before draining.

While water is heating preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine EVOO, shrimp, steak seasoning and red chili flakes. Put on a baking sheet. Cook for 7 minutes.

While pasta and shrimp is cooking melt the butter in a small pot. Add the garlic, parsley, lemon and parmesan.

Combine all and serve hot.

A Mild Pastalaya

This is a combination jambalaya pasta dish. For the purposes of my house I made it milder than your typical Jambalaya... you can substitute and add some things to make it a more classic Jambalaya. Oh, and no picture to post....I lost my camera card while in Mexico....will replace camera soon... So, I'll just post a picture from Mexico....lol. This picture was taken our first night at Bar Frida for dinner. There were more naked pictures of Frida Kahlo then I found appetizing.

Ingredients

1 lb penne rigate

2 tablespoons EVOO plus more to drizzle

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 lb mild italian sausage, casings removed

4 cloves chopped

1 anaheim pepper, ribbed, seeded & chopped

1 jalapeno pepper, ribbed, seeded & chopped

1 red bell pepper, ribbed, seeded & chopped

3 small celery stalks, chopped

1 white onion, chopped

S&P

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup beer

1 cup chicken stock

1 (14 oz) can whole tomatoes

a dash of hot sauce

2 tablespoons fresh thyme, finely chopped

1/2 lb chicken breast, chopped into small pieces

1/2 lb shrimp, cleaned, tails removed

1/4 cup heavy cream

2 green onions, sliced on an angle

Directions

Cook the pasta by the box directions to al dente. Drain and drizzle with EVOO.

While the water is heating for the pasta, heat a large skillet or wok with the EVOO & butter over medium high heat. Add the sausage (use andouille sausage for classic jambalaya) by squeezing it out...discard the casings. Then ground it up and brown for 5 minutes. Remove with a spider or slotted spoon and set aside. Add the garlic, peppers, celery and onions to the pan with the sausage drippings. Stir and dredge for 6 minutes while adding S&P to taste. Add flour to the veggies and cook for another 2 minutes or less. Slowly stir in the beer until it's tan a creamy for an additional 2 minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomatoes (take a potato masher to them to crush them), thyme and the dash of hot sauce(at this point add 3 tablespoons for the classic jambalaya). Bring to a simmer then add the chicken and shrimp. Cook for 5 minutes and then add the sausage (andouille) for another minute.

Then combine the pasta and jambalaya mixture into the large pot that was originally used to cook the pasta. Stir to combine well. When serving garnish with the green onions.