Shrimp Scampi with Linguine

Here is a classic.  Shrimp scampi and noodles.  I love the fresh parsley in this dish it gives great color and fresh flavor.  Never underestimate fresh parsley!  Most of these ingredients you may already have in your pantry and this meal cooks in about 15 minutes.  Perfect for a weeknight meal.

Ingredients:
Vegetable oil
kosher salt
1 1/2 lbs linguine
6 TBS (3/4 stick) unsalted butter
5 TBS good olive oil
3 TBS minced garlic (9 cloves)
2 lbs large shrimp (about 30 shrimp), peeled and deveined
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
grated zest 1 lemon
1/2 freshly squeezed lemon juice (3-4 lemons)
1/2 lemon thinly slices in half-rounds
1/4 tsp hot red pepper flakes


Cook the linguine in a large pot of salted water for 7-10 minutes until al dente.
In a large skillet add the olive oil and butter over medium low heat.

Add the garlic and continuously stir for about 1 minute.

Add the shrimp 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper and saute for about 5 minutes until the shrimp have just turned pink.

Remove the pan from the heat and add the lemon zest, lemon juice, parsley, lemon slices and red pepper flakes.

Toss everything together.
Serve the shrimp mixture over the linguine noodles.

Roasted Asparagus

Oven roasted asparagus.  I like the skinny asparagus because the tips get nice and crispy when they are roasted in the oven.  Add a little squeeze of lemon after taking them out of the oven for an extra little kick of flavor. 

Ingredients:
1 bunch fresh asparagus
Olive oil
kosher salt
freshly ground pepper
lemon (optional)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Wash the asparagus and cut off the ends about 3 inches from the bottom. 

The ends are tough and chewy so we definitely want to cut them off.  Spread the asparagus out on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.  Sprinkle with about 1-2 tsp of kosher salt and 1 tsp of freshly ground pepper. 

Roast in oven for 10-15 minutes and tips are a little crispy.  Squeeze a little lemon juice over the asparagus if you desire. 

Shredded Brussel Sprouts

Growing up we didn't really eat brussel sprouts.  I think it was when I was on my own I started steaming them and then dousing them with butter.  They were pretty good.  Then I figured out cutting them in half and roasting them with olive oil salt and pepper was better.  I just found this recipe in the New Southern Living cookbook.  Shredded brussel sprouts.  Will said "these are brussel sprouts?!"  Yep they're pretty good. 

2 lb brussel sprouts
2 TBSP butter
2 TBSP olive oil
2 garlic cloves minced
1/2 small red onion minced
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/4 cup plus 2 TBSP red wine vinegar
1 1/2 TBSP light brown sugar
squeeze of fresh lemon juice, about a teaspoon

Rinse the brussel sprouts, remove any old leaves and thinly slice the brussel sprouts.  A mandolin slicer works great if you have one.
Heat butter and olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium high heat.  Add the brussel sprouts, onion and garlic.  Saute for about 8-10 minutes until the sprouts are tender.  Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving bowl.  Add the vinegar and brown sugar to the skillet and simmer for 30 seconds.  Pour over brussel sprouts.

Squeeze a little lemon juice over them and toss together. 

Lemon Roasted Cauliflower

I'm always looking for new ways to make the same ol' veggies.  Here is a tasty twist for cauliflower! 

1/3 cup finely chopped shallots
1/4 cup butter melted
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 TBSP lemon zest
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 large cauliflower florets cut off of core

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Stir together first 8 ingredients in a large bowl.   Stir in the cauliflower.  Place cauliflower pieces on foil lined baking sheet and roast for 1 hour or until tender.  That's it!