Shrimp & Scallop Tomato Linguine

 

I have been craving seafood like crazy lately.  Prices have been through the roof and fresh shellfish is not so easy to find in Southern Ontario, so, in this dish, I had to use a bagged combination of frozen bay scallops and shrimp.  If you are lucky enough to have access to fresh, by all means, use it!

 

Ingredients:

1/2 lb linguine

1 lb bag frozen shrimp and scallop mix (or 1/2 lb each of fresh, cleaned)

2 beefsteak tomatoes, cubed (seeds in)

1/2 red onion thinly sliced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 cup white wine

1 tbspn olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1 handful fresh basil, torn

1-2 tbspn grana padono, grated (or to taste) (Parmesan will also work)

 

Method:

Get a large pot of salted water boiling and cook linguine according to box directions.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over med high heat.  Add onions and salt and cook until softened.  Add tomatoes, garlic and pepper, cook for about 3 minutes.  Add wine and reduce by half.  Then add the shellfish and continue cooking over medium heat until they are cooked through.  Roughly 5 minutes.  Add basil and check seasoning, adjust as needed.  

Drain the pasta and stir it into the skillet.  Plate and top with the grated cheese.

 

This is a great dish when you want something fresh and super quick.

Serves 2.

Ready in 15 minutes.

 

 

 

Apple Crisp

This is a dessert that always takes me right back to my childhood.  It was my absolute favorite.  My dad loved apples and we always had them in the house, so at least once a week I would ask my mom to make us some apple crisp.  I was ecstatic when I learned to make it myself around the age of 10.  That’s how easy it is.

I like to add twists to most of my recipes, usually.  Updating or tweaking when the mood strikes me, but in this case I kept it basic and simple.  I do not believe something as sacred as apple crisp should be tampered with.  But, if you see fit, add whatever twists or flavors you like to this.  I wont mind…much.  😛

What you will need:

5 medium baking apples

2 teaspoons cinnamon

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup orange juice

pinch of salt

1 cup flour

1 cup sugar (white or brown)

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup melted butter

pinch of nutmeg

Method:

1.  preheat oven to 350 f
2. Core and slice up the apples.  Peeling them is up to you, I prefer leaving the skins on for added nutrients.  Place them in a bowl with the orange juice.  Generally lemon juice is used to keep the apples from browning, but I was out of lemons, and this worked great.
3. toss the apples with the cinnamon and flour and a pinch of salt and place in a prepared baking dish.
4. Mix together the flour, sugar, oats, nutmeg and melted butter until a crumble like texture is reached.  Sprinkle evenly over the apples.
5. Bake for 45 minutes until the tops is slightly browned and the apples are bubbling underneath.  Let cool slightly before serving.

This would be great served up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, some whipped cream, or even just a splash of milk.  Its tangy as well as sweet and is the perfect dessert for a cool fall night.  I hope you enjoy 🙂

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Perfect Pulled Pork

Pulled pork is one of my favorite things to eat, but something I have never attempted to make myself.  Until now.  I found some really nice pork butt (my step daughter was giggling uncontrollably when we bought it.) at a local market and decided on a whim to try out this dish at home.  I was surprised at how simple it was to prepare.  It takes some planning, and a little care, but it is so worth it.

As I have seen done on tv, I let my pork sit overnight in a spice rub I made up myself.  Then cooked it slowly in a low oven the next day.  I really did just fall apart when I touched it with a fork.  So flavorful and moist.  I was in Heaven!

I encourage you to try this one out.  So much cheaper than buying it at a restaurant, and so much better, as you can add the flavors you want.  And lots of leftovers!

What you will need:

1 tblspn cumin

1 tblspn coriander

1 tblspn garlic powder

1 tblspn onion powder

1 tblspn instant coffee

1/4 tspn cayenne pepper

1 tspn paprika

1 tblspn thyme

1 tspn cinnamon

1/4 cup brown sugar

salt and pepper

3 lbs pork butt (shoulder)

1 large onion

3 cloves garlic

1 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tblspn tomato paste

1 bay leaf

Instructions:

Blend all of your spices together in a spice grinder to make a nice powder.  Use half the spice blend on the pork the night before.  Rub it all over thoroughly, wrap the meat in cling wrap and set in the fridge for about 12 hours.

Preheat oven to 325 f.

Place the onion cut into quarters (skin on) and the garlic cloves in a deep sided metal baking tray.  Set the pork on top of the veg.  Pour in the apple cider vinegar, and enough water to come up the roast about half way.  Add in the rest of the spice rub mix and the tomato paste.

Cover the pan tightly with tin foil and cook for 4-6 hours (mine took about 5) until the meat is literally falling apart when touched.

Remove the meat, strain the liquid and place it in a medium saucepan over med high heat to reduce, tasting and adjusting as needed.  Then pour the sauce over the meat after you have “pulled” it apart using two forks.

There are many ways you can serve this.  Traditionally it is in a sandwich with some kind of slaw.  I served mine over homemade super sized buttermilk biscuits with some pickled carrots from a previous recipe.  I think the  leftovers are going to be in a sandwich for today’s lunch .  The possibilities are endless!

*Side note:  I generally like to take a photo of the finished product, but in my excitement to  serve it up and eat, I just plain forgot 😦

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