Fettuchine with Tomato Cream Sauce

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INGREDIENTS
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
3 large cloves garlic, minced
2 cups chopped fresh tomatoes (or canned, drained of juice)
1 tablespoon dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup dry red or white wine
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 cup sliced mushrooms (optional)
1 cup small shrimp (optional)
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DIRECTIONS
Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over high heat. Add the garlic and stir. Add the tomatoes, basil, salt and pepper and turn to high heat. Sauté until the tomatoes break down. Add the wine and reduce slightly. Finally, add the cream and parsley. Cook another 2 minutes or so, until desired consistency. Gently crush the tomatoes with the back of a spoon to release additional juices.

Shrimp in Cream Sauce with Sun-Dried tomatoes

INGREDIENTS:
About 25 small shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tbsp curry powder
Butter or Olive Oil
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes
4 cups fresh spinach, or 1 package frozen

DIRECTIONS:
1. Prepare white or brown rice according to directions, and fluff in whatever spices you'd like when it's done.

2. Meanwhile, toss shrimp with 1/2 tbsp of the curry and some salt and pepper, then saute the shrimp in butter or olive oil for about 1 minute. Add in the cream, the remaining 1/2 tbsp curry, and the sun-dried tomatoes and simmer for a few minutes more.

3. When shrimp is done, remove from heat and cover to keep warm. Add spinach to a skillet with olive oil and saute for about 3 minutes until heated through.

4. Serve shrimp and sauce over rice with spinach on the side.

Chorizo and Mussels

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp sweet smoked paprika
1/2 lb chorizo, chopped
2 carrots, peeled ad chopped
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth
24 mussels, scrubbed
2 tbsp chopped parsley
Crusty bread, for mopping

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat one tbsp olive oild in a large cast iron pot or skillet. Cook the chorizo, stirring, about 5 minutes. Add the carrots, onion and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 7 minutes. Stir in the wine and simmer for 2 minutes.
2. Stir in the chicken broth and scatter the mussels around the skillet. Cover the pan and cook until the mussels open, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the lid, sprinkle the parslety on top and serve immediately with bread.

Crab Salad Cups

INGREDIENTS
1 pound shelled cooked crab
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup minced red onion
1 teaspoon sugar
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
16 medium butter lettuce leaves (about 2 heads)
1 avocado, cut into 16 thin slices
2 teaspoons prepared cocktail sauce
1 lemon, sliced into small wedges

DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium bowl, stir together crab, mayonnaise, parsley, onion, and sugar until well combined. Add salt and pepper to taste, then chill until ready to serve.
2. Arrange lettuce on a large platter. Place about 2 tbsp. crab mixture onto center of each leaf. Top each with a slice of avocado, about 1/8 tsp. cocktail sauce, a lemon wedge, and salt and pepper to taste.

Make ahead: Prepare through step 1 and chill, covered, up to 1 day. Serves 8.

Shrimp with Tomatoes and Olives

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INGREDIENTS
1 box couscous or orzo
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
28-ounce can diced toms, drained
1 roasted red pepper, chopped
3/4 cup green olives
1/2 cup dry white wine
Kosher salt and pepper
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

DIRECTIONS
Cook the couscous according to the package directions.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 minutes.

Add the tomatoes, roasted pepper, olives, wine, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 4 to 6 minutes.

Add the shrimp, cover, and cook until the shrimp are cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Serve with the couscous.

Grilled Tilapia with Mango Coconut Rice

::Mango Coconut Rice::

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups long-grain rice
1 (14-ounce) can unsweetened coconut milk
2/3 cup water
1 teaspoon salt
1 large ripe mango, peeled and cubedIn a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the rice and stir to coat with the oil. Add the coconut milk, water, and salt; bring to a boil. Stir in the mango. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer about 20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.

Remove the rice from the heat and fluff with a fork. Place a clean, dry dish towel over the pan, cover with the lid, and let steam for 5 minutes before serving.


::Zesty Grilled Tilapia::

INGREDIENTS
6 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets
6 tablespoons olive oil, plus additional for brushing
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon hot sauce, to taste
1 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Mango Coconut Rice, recipe followsPlace the fish in a large nonmetal dish. Whisk together the 6 tablespoons oil, the orange zest, orange juice, ginger, hot sauce, salt, and pepper, to taste; pour over the fish. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 30 to 60 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare grill. Brush the fish with additional oil. Grill until fish just flakes when tested with a fork, about 5 minutes per side for each inch of thickness.

Spicy Mussels and Chorizo

INGREDIENTS
3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large shallot, minced
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon crushed red-pepper flakes
2 cups dry white wine
3 cups canned crushed tomatoes with juice
4 ounces dried, hot chorizo, cut on the diagonal into 1/4-inch slices
1 teaspoon coarse salt teaspoon coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
2 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

DIRECTIONS
1. Heat oil in a large, heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add shallot; cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and red-pepper flakes; cook, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Add wine; bring to a boil. Add tomatoes and chorizo. Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.

2. Add mussels. Cover, and continue to cook, shaking pot occasionally.

Salmon Potato Cakes

INGREDIENTS
14 oz. fresh skinless salmon fillets
2 cups refrigerated sour cream and chive flavored mashed potatoes
1/2 cup seasoned fine dry bread crumbs
3 Tbsp. snipped fresh dill
Nonstick cooking spray
1 5-oz. pkg. mixed salad greens
1/2 cup bottled Honey-Dijon salad dressing

DIRECTIONS
1. Rinse and dry salmon. Place in 2-quart square microwave-safe baking dish; cover with vented plastic. Microcook on high (100% power) for 2-1/2 to 3-1/2 minutes or until salmon flakes easily with a fork. Break in pieces. In bowl combine salmon, potatoes, bread crumbs, and dill. Form salmon mixture in eight 3-1/2-inch cakes. Lightly coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Cook cakes over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until heated through and browned. Place salad greens on plates. Top with salmon-potato cakes; serve with salad dressing. Makes 4 servings.

Pesto Shrimp Mac & Cheese

INGREDIENTS
1 lb. fresh or frozen medium shrimp in shells
8 oz. dried elbow macaroni (2 cups)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup half-and-half
1-1/4 cups shredded fontina cheese (5 oz.)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbsp. pine nuts, toasted
1-1/2 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, chopped
Fresh basil leaves

DIRECTIONS
1. Thaw shrimp, if frozen. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Peel and devein shrimp, removing tails. Rinse shrimp; pat dry with paper towels. Chop shrimp and set aside.

2. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain and keep warm.

3. In large bowl stir together eggs, butter, half-and-half, 1 cup of the fontina cheese, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, garlic, pine nuts, chopped basil, and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Stir in shrimp and macaroni. Transfer to buttered 2-quart casserole. Top with remaining cheeses.

4. Bake, uncovered, 40 to 45 minutes or until heated through and shrimp pieces are opaque. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Top with fresh basil leaves. Makes 6 servings.

Mediterranean Tuna-Noodle Casserol

INGREDIENTS
1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for baking dishes
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pound wide egg noodles
2 red bell peppers (ribs and seeds removed), thinly sliced lengthwise
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
5 cups whole milk
4 cans (6 ounces each) tuna in olive oil, drained
1 can (14 ounces) artichoke hearts, drained and thickly sliced
5 scallions, thinly sliced
1/2 cup finely grated Parmesan

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly oil two 8-inch square (or other shallow 2-quart) baking dishes. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook noodles until 2 minutes short of al dente, according to package instructions; drain, and return to pot.

2. Meanwhile, in a 5-quart Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium. Add bell peppers; season with salt and pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Gradually add milk, stirring until smooth. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture comes to a simmer.

3. Remove from heat; add mixture to noodles in pot, along with tuna, artichoke hearts, and scallions. Season with salt and pepper, and toss. Divide between prepared baking dishes, and sprinkle with Parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbling, about 20 minutes.


To Freeze: Prepare through step 3; cool to room temperature. Cover tightly with aluminum foil, and freeze up to three months.


To Bake from Frozen: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Bake, covered with foil, until center is warm, about 2 hours. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes more.


To Bake from Thawed: Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and bake, covered with foil, until center is warm, about 30 minutes. Uncover, and bake until top is browned, about 20 minutes more.

Southern Shrimp

Southern Shrimp

4T olive oil
1/2 c Italian dressing
1 T minced garlic
1 t Tabasco sauce
1/3 c Worcestershire sauce
4 bay leaves
1 T paprika
1 t dried oregano
1 T dried rosemary
1 t dried thyme
1 lemon
2 pounds large shrimp, unpeeled

In a large heavy skillet, place the olive oil, Italian dressing, garlic, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves, and spices and cook over medium heat until the sauce begins to boil. Cut the lemon into quarters, squeeze the juice into the sauce and then place the quarters of the lemon in the sauce. Add the shrimp and cook about 5 - 7 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink. Serve in bowls with the sauce. Be sure to include plenty of French bread!

Asian Grilled Salmon

1 side fresh salmon, boned but skin on (about 3 pounds)

For the marinade:
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
3 tablespoons good soy sauce
6 tablespoons good olive oil
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Light charcoal briquettes in a grill and brush the grilling rack with oil to keep the salmon from sticking.

While the grill is heating, lay the salmon skin side down on a cutting board and cut it crosswise into 4 equal pieces. Whisk together the mustard, soy sauce, olive oil, and garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle half of the marinade onto the salmon and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.

Place the salmon skin side down on the hot grill; discard the marinade the fish was sitting in. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes, depending on the thickness of the fish. Turn carefully with a wide spatula and grill for another 4 to 5 minutes. The salmon will be slightly raw in the center, but don't worry; it will keep cooking as it sits.

Transfer the fish to a flat plate, skin side down, and spoon the reserved marinade on top. Allow the fish to rest for 10 minutes. Remove the skin and serve warm, at room temperature, or chilled.