Shrimp Ceviche

 

I found this to be a deliciously different way to serve shrimp.  Do you find that you are always making the same recipes and eating food the served the same way?  When you go out to eat do you always order the same dish or change it up a bit and try something new?  I’m all about trying new recipes – it’s always good to change things up instead of remaining status quo.  And what could be the worst thing to happen?  You don’t like it …oh well at least you tried!  ENJOY!

Cranberry Shrimp Ceviche Cups

Ingredients:

1 ½ teaspoons salt, divided

16 ounces  Medium Raw Shrimp, thawed

1 cup  Dried Cranberries

½ red onion, roughly chopped

½ cup fresh parsley

½ jalapeño, roughly chopped

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

¼ cup fresh lime juice

¼ teaspoon  Crushed Red Pepper or Ground Black Pepper

1 teaspoon  Oregano
Garnish:

13 ounces  Restaurant Style Tortilla Chips

2 limes, cut into wedges

Fresh cranberries (optional)

Directions:

1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Season with 1 teaspoon salt. Add shrimp and cook for 3 minutes. Immediately plunge cooked shrimp into an ice water bath. Peel shrimp and place in a flat dish.
2. In a food processor, combine cranberries, red onion, parsley and jalapeño. Pulse until finely chopped. Add cranberry mixture to shrimp.
3. Add lemon juice, lime juice, remaining ½ teaspoon salt, crushed red pepper and oregano. Stir to combine ingredients thoroughly. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
4. To assemble: Spoon ceviche (about 4-5 shrimp each) into small clear cups or glasses. Garnish with tortilla chips, lime wedges and fresh cranberries.

 

 

Pesto Grilled Shrimp Kabob & Pesto alla Genovese

 

Are you looking something super quick, super easy and super delicious?  Look no more!  Whip up some home-made pesto or if you are like me and have pesto in the freezer it is even quicker!  I ran out of pesto over the winter and determined not to be in that predicament ever again I planted a lot of basil in the garden this year and have made a gallon bag full of pesto already this summer.  I freeze it into ice-cube trays and then put it into freezer bags.  I will not ever, ever buy pesto in a jar ….. bleh!

Load up the skewers with shrimp and veggies and brush pesto over the shrimp.  I added red pepper and green onion.  On a preheated grill these will not take much more than 5 minutes – you do not want to over-cook shrimp … cook just until they turn pink and are no longer opaque.

ENJOY!

 

Pesto alla Genovese

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups fresh basil leaves (packed)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 tablespoons pine nuts or walnuts, toasted
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

In the bowl of a food processor, combine the basil, salt, and pepper and process for a few seconds until the basil is chopped. Add the cheese, pine nuts, and garlic and, while the processor is running, add the oil in a thin, steady stream until a mostly smooth sauce is formed. Transfer pesto to a bowl and set aside. (Note: Pesto may be made 1 day in advance and kept, refrigerated, in an airtight container, until ready to use. If making in advance, be sure to cover the top of the pesto with a thin layer of olive oil to prevent the pesto from darkening. Pesto may also be frozen in the same manner in small quantities for use at a later date.)

Pesto Recipe – Source:  foodnetwork

Spicy Cashew Shrimp Stir-Fry

 

This is a fantastic recipe and a great way to use your garden fresh snap or snow peas!  My garden snap and snow peas are doing awesome this year.  I am quite simply amazed at the height they have grown to … about 4 – 5 feet  tall! Even if you don’t have a garden, go ahead and try this stir fry.  Enjoy!

Ingredients (serves 4)

• Shrimp
• 4 Tablespoons soy sauce, divided
• black pepper
• 2/3 cup fat-free, reduced sodium chicken broth
• 2 Tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons Thai chili garlic sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tablespoons sesame oil, divided
• 2 large carrots, sliced thinly on the bias
• 2 cups broccoli florets
• 1 1/2 cups snap peas (or snow peas)
• 1/2 onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup sliced water chestnuts
• 1/2 cup chopped canned baby corn
• 1/2 cup bamboo shoots
• 3/4 cup cashews
• 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice, cooked according to package directions

Instructions

• Toss together shrimp, 1 Tablespoon soy sauce, plus a couple grinds of black pepper in a bowl then set aside. In a separate bowl, combine remaining soy sauce, broth, brown sugar, Thai chili garlic sauce, and garlic. Microwave for 20 seconds in the microwave, then stir and set aside.
• Heat 1 Tablespoon oil in a lark wok or skillet over high heat. Add shrimp and cook until no longer pink on the outside, about 2-3 minutes. Add carrot, broccoli, snow peas, onion, bamboo shoots and remaining oil if needed, then stir fry for 5-6 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Add water chestnuts and baby corn, then stir to combine.
• Add the sauce and cashews to the wok, then let sauce bubble for 2 minutes. Serve over cooked white rice.

Source:  Iowagirleats.com

Shrimp Stir Fry with Snow Peas in Coconut Curry Sauce

I just planted snow peas in my garden last weekend.  When they are up and ready to be picked they will be perfect for this easy, delicious recipe.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS

Shrimp Stir Fry:

• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (I used frozen and thawed them beforehand)
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 can Water Chestnuts
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 bell pepper, cored, seeded, and sliced (any type will do)
• 8 ounces snow peas, strings removed
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger (scared of fresh ginger? don’t be…it can be peeled and frozen easily to be used at anytime)

Coconut-Curry Sauce:

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1-2 teaspoons red curry paste (I used 2 teaspoons for a doubled recipe – this paste can be found in most grocery stores in the Asian foods aisle near the Thai ingredients)
• 1 teaspoon light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch

DIRECTIONS

1. For the sauce, combine the sauce ingredients in a medium bowl (I doubled the sauce because we love extra sauce in our family). Set aside. Toss the shrimp with soy sauce. Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally and breaking up any clumps, until curled and lightly browned, about 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer the shrimp to a clean bowl.
2. Add 1 more tablespoon of oil to the pan and return to medium heat until shimmering. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in snow peas and bean sprouts and cook for one more minute.
3. Clear the center of the pan and add remaining 1 teaspoon oil, garlic and ginger. Cook, mashing garlic mixture into the pan with the back of a spatula, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in cooked shrimp. Whisk sauce to recombine and add to pan, bringing to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve immediately.

Source:  Mel’skitchencafe.com

Fresh Pasta With Shrimp in Creamy Tomato Sauce

It has been a little while since I made fresh pasta and I found myself craving it.  I also had oven-roasted tomatoes left in the freezer from last year’s crop of tomatoes and thought this would  be a perfect way to use them.  This recipe turned out awesome, one of my new favorites.  I’ll be making this again, especially when my tomatoes ripen on the vine this summer!  (I can hardly wait!!)  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined
• 1 cup oven roasted tomatoes*
• 1/2 cup sliced pitted Kalamata olives or other brine-cured black olives
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
• 1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice, drained
• 1/2-1 Cup Heavy Cream
• 1/4 Cup reserved pasta water
• 1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 Pound fresh Fettuccine

*Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes – Ina Garten

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté until pink, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to medium bowl. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to same pot. Add oven roasted tomatoes, olives, garlic, lemon peel, and crushed red pepper. Sauté about 4 minutes. Add canned tomatoes and some of the juice and simmer until sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Mix in cream, Parmesan Cheese, and reserved pasta water.  Mix in basil. Return shrimp and any juices to sauce; stir to heat through, about 1 minute.

Meanwhile, cook pasta in pot of boiling salted water until tender, but still firm to bite. Drain. Add pasta to sauce. Toss over medium heat until sauce coats pasta. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl; top with additional cheese if desired.

Adapted from:  Epicurious.com

Brandied Shrimp With Home-made Pasta

It’s a rainy, dreary morning here in Ohio and a perfect day to make some home-made pasta.  It’s days like this that I don’t mind being inside.  Here is another pasta recipe to try.  I made this the other week and we both liked it!  Enjoy your week-end and make some pasta!

Ingredients

• 1 lb. home-made fettuccine
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 6 green onions, thinly sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 2 large tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1/2 cup butter (I found the addition of added fat is not necessary)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute shrimp until pink. Stir in green onions, garlic and brandy. Carefully ignite brandy with a match, or the gas flame. Cook for 2 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, and cook 2 minutes. Stir in wine and butter, and season with basil, salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan. Toss with pasta until evenly coated.

Source:  All recipes.com

Avocado Shrimp Salad with Fresh Mint and Lime Vinaigrette

I loved, loved, loved this salad!  It’s perfect for a week night meal or any time for that matter!  I have an abundance of mint growing in the garden and I’m always on the lookout for great recipes incorporating mint … this one fits the bill!  It also includes the wonderful tastes of lime, avocado and shrimp … mmmmm have some tonight!

Ingredients:

2 ripe avocadoes – pitted, peeled, and sliced (not too small)
2 tablespoons, fresh lime juice (or substitute lemon juice)
1 pound, large shrimp – peeled, deveined and gently cooked
1 red bell pepper – stemmed, seeded and cut into 1/8-inch dice
1-1/2 cups, ripe grape tomatoes*– cut in half (seeds discarded)
4 scallions (including 3 inches of the green part) – thinly sliced on diagonal
Lime vinaigrette

 
3 tablespoons, coarsely chopped (or torn) fresh mint leaves

Arugula

Preparation:

Place the avocadoes in a large bowl and toss them with the lime (or lemon) juice (do this immediately to prevent discoloration of the avocadoes).

Saute shrimp briefly in 1 tablespoon olive oil with 1 clove sliced garlic until pink.

Add the shrimp, bell pepper, tomatoes and scallions; gently fold together with the Arugula. Toss gently with the vinaigrette, then, just before serving, toss with the fresh chopped mint leaves. Enjoy!

Lime Vinaigrette
Makes 1 1/3 cups

1/4 cup, fresh lime juice
2 teaspoons sugar

1 tablespoon, Dijon mustard
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon, minced shallots
finely grated zest (the green part of the peel) of 1 lime
3 tablespoons, snipped (chopped or cut with scissors) fresh chives

Zest the lime first and reserve the zest (it’s easier to do when the lime is whole and not yet squeezed.) In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, mustard, salt and pepper. Slowly drizzle in the oil, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in the shallots and lime zest. May be made up to this point and held for several hours; whisk again to blend before using. Add the chives 15 minutes before use.

Source:  Adapted from – Melindalee.com

Asian Pasta Salad With Shrimp, Red Pepper and Honey Roasted Peanuts

I am certainly enjoying our summer weather and taking advantage of it and spending as much time as possible outside!  Often times we will eat out on the patio as long as it’s not raining.  It’s so peaceful and relaxing listening to the birds singing and the water flowing from our fountain.  Summer is GOOD!

I love pasta salads and I love Asian flavors so I knew this would be a winner.  This is quite possibly one of my new favorite pasta salads!  I discovered this recipe at thegalleygourmet.net.  Check out her blog – she has some fantastic recipes!

Asian Pasta Salad with Shrimp, Red Pepper, and Honey Roasted Peanuts

serves 6-8 as a main dish, 12-16 as a side dish

For the Dressing

1 Tablespoon finely minced garlic

1 Tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger

6 Tablespoons reduced sodium soy sauce

1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar

1 Tablespoon granulated sugar

1 Tablespoon sesame oil

1/4 cup canola or safflower oil

For the Pasta Salad

1 pound medium shrimp

1 Tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce

1 Tablespoon dry Sherry

2 Tablespoons kosher salt

1 pound fusilli pasta

1 large red bell pepper, cut into bite size pieces

8 ounces snow peas, trimmed and thinly sliced on the bias

3/4 cup honey roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped and divided

3 green onions, trimmed and thinly sliced

3 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Crushed red pepper to taste

For the Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil.  Using a wire whisk, slowly whisk in oil in a steady stream to make an emulsified dressing.  (Dressing can be made and refrigerated a day in advance.)

For the Pasta Salad

In a small bowl, marinate the shrimp in the soy sauce and sherry while preparing the other ingredients.

Bring 1 gallon of water to a boil in a large stock pot.  In a separate saucepan, heat 1 inch of water.  Arrange shrimp in a steamer basket and set over boiling water in the saucepan, cover, reduce heat to low, and steam without lifting the lid until shrimp are opaque, about 5 minutes.  Remove the basket and set aside to cool.

Add the salt and pasta to the stock pot of boiling water; cook according to manufacturer’s directions.  Thoroughly drain and spread out on a rimmed baking sheet to cool to room temperature.

Transfer shrimp, pasta, pepper, snow peas, 1/2 cup of the peanuts, green onions, and cilantro to a large bowl; do not mix. (Pasta can be covered and refrigerated for up to 2 hours.)  When ready to serve add the dressing, toss to coat, and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.  Add crushed red pepper to taste and garnish with the remaining 1/4 cup peanuts.  Enjoy!

Source: thegalleygourmet

Home-made Yellow and Green Fettuccine with Shrimp, Asparagus and Sun Dried Tomatoes

Looking for another good recipe with home-made pasta, shrimp and asparagus?  I love recipes with minimal ingredients that are easy and quick to pull together.  Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
• 1 pound asparagus, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 1/4 pounds uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
• 1 3/4 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 12 ounces penne pasta (or pasta of choice)
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Heat oil reserved from tomatoes in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add asparagus and sauté until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer asparagus to bowl. Add sun-dried tomatoes, shrimp, 1/4 cup basil, garlic, oregano, and crushed red pepper to same skillet and sauté until shrimp are just opaque in center, about 3 minutes. Transfer shrimp mixture to bowl with asparagus. Add broth, wine, and tomato paste to same skillet. Boil until sauce thickens slightly, stirring occasionally, about 6 minutes.

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain; return pasta to same pot. Add shrimp mixture, sauce, remaining 1/4 cup basil, and cheese to pasta. Toss over medium heat until warmed through and sauce coats pasta. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

Source:  Epicurious

Thinking Outside the Noodle – Part IV – Pesto Fettuccine Noodles – Shrimp Fra Diavolo

This will be my last post before vacation.  Wooooo Whooooo … I’m just a tad bit excited! lol  We’re headed on a jet plane very early Wedesday morning for 11 days of being beach bums!  I am so looking forward the sound of the surf, the sand beneath my toes and the warmth of the sun!  I will of course, be enjoying dinner out every evening with plenty of fresh fish and seafood!  I have written some posts ahead of time so I should be able to post while on vacation.

Thinking Outside the Noodle – Part IV

I cannot even begin to describe just how wonderfully delicious this recipe is; you will just have to try it for yourself and find out!  Once again, a fantastic recipe from Annie.  Thank you Annie!

Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Pesto Fettuccine
Ingredients:
1 lb. large shrimp (31-40 per lb.), peeled and deveined
1 tsp. red pepper flakes, divided
6 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1½ tsp. salt
¼ cup cognac or brandy
12 cloves garlic, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about ¼ cup), divided
½ tsp. sugar
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup medium-dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
¼ cup minced fresh basil
1 lb. Pesto Fettuccine Noodles

Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over high heat until the pan is very hot.  Combine the shrimp, half of the red pepper flakes, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and half of the salt in a medium bowl; toss to blend.  Add the shrimp to the skillet and spread into a single layer.  Let cook without stirring until the bottoms of the shrimp turn a spotty brown, about 30-45 seconds.  Off the heat, flip the shrimp over.  Add the cognac or brandy to the pan.  Let stand briefly to allow the cognac to warm slightly, about 5 seconds, then return the pan to high heat.  Wave a lit match over the skillet until the cognac ignites.  Shake the skillet until the flames subside, then transfer the shrimp to a bowl and set aside.

Cool the skillet for 2 minutes.  Return the skillet to the burner and reduce the heat to low.  Add 3 tablespoons of the oil and 3 tablespoons of the garlic.  Cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is sticky and light golden and begins to foam, about 7-10 minutes.  Mix in the remaining red pepper flakes, the remaining salt, the sugar, tomatoes and wine.  Increase the heat to medium-high and simmer until thickened and fragrant, about 8 minutes.

While the sauce is simmering, add the fettuccine to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions until al dente.  Drain, reserving 3/4 – 1 cup of the pasta water.  Return the pasta to the now empty pot, add about ½ cup of the sauce and 2-3 tablespoons of the pasta water.  Toss well to coat.

Stir the reserved shrimp and accumulated juices, remaining garlic and the basil into the sauce.  Add the reserved pasta water as needed and simmer until the shrimp are heated through, about 1 minute.  Stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.  Divide the pasta among warmed serving bowls and top with the shrimp and sauce.  Serve immediately.

Source:  Adapted from Annie’s Eats