Tag: Garlic

Dinners

Recipe—Shrimp in Creamy Red Pepper Sauce Over Linguine

Diva di Cucina

A couple weeks back I was having my good friend Sarah over for dinner on a work night. Work nights are already crazy so I needed something snazzy but yet quick and easy so I wouldn’t be spending our whole night together in the kitchen. Well one thing that cracks me up about Sarah is that she eats whole bell peppers like an apple. This girl loves her bell peppers! So I knew I wanted a dish that had a nice red pepper flavor. This one was it! The pepper flavor is very mild and goes great with the rich creamy wine sauce and of course shrimp cook super quick. We had a winner! This recipe was a huge hit. I served this pasta dish with a green salad and a fresh baguette for a quick and impressive dinner you’d think came out of a restaurant.

INGREDIENTS
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 1/2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
salt and pepper
1/4 c white wine
1 red bell pepper, chopped
2 tsp chili paste (more if you like things on the spicy side)
1 pt whipping cream
1/4 c fresh bail, chopped

STEPS

  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the garlic and heat through for about 1 minute making sure not to burn it.
  • Add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper.
  • Sauté the shrimp and cook most of the way through, about 3–5 minutes.
  • Transfer the cooked shrimp to a bowl and cover with foil.
  • Pour the wine to the skillet and cook until it reduces by half.
  • Add the bell pepper, chili paste, and cream.
  • Simmer for 5–6 minutes or until the cream begins to thicken.
  • Add the shrimp back into the skillet and simmer in the sauce for another 3 minutes.
  • Stir in the majority of the basil leaving some for garnish.
  • Serve the shrimp and a spoonful of the sauce over cooked linguine and garnish with some of the leftover chopped basil.
Dinners

Recipe—Oven Roasted Tri Tip with Veggies

Diva di Cucina

My family eats our share of beef. We almost always have tri tip in the house because it’s affordable, flavorful, low in fat, and it is the most diverse piece of beef around. You can grille it, smoke it, braise it, or in this case, roast it. Every time I have made this recipe the meat comes out really tender, flavorful, and juicy. This is a perfect all in one meal that will save you time and dishes.

Note: If you have any leftover potatoes and veggies they are spectacular for breakfast! I just throw them in the skillet and fry them up for a few minutes. And if on the rare occasion you have leftover meat, dice that up and put them in a tortilla with scrambled eggs and the potatoes for a killer breakfast burrito.

INGREDIENTS
2 lb tri tip roast
2 tsp dried rosemary
2 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 tsp kosher salt
¼ tsp pepper
2–4 c red potatoes, diced
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 sweet onion, chopped into large pieces
5–7 cloves of garlic (optional)
2 tbsp olive oil

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 425º.
  • In a small bowl combine rosemary, garlic, salt, and pepper.
  • Spread half of the seasoning mixture all over the roast.
  • Place the potatoes, bell peppers, onion, and whole garlic cloves (if you are using them) in a large bowl.
  • Drizzle the vegetables with the olive oil and add in the other half of the seasoning mixture. Toss to coat.
  • Place the roast fat side up in a large baking dish.
  • Arrange the vegetables around the roast.
  • Bake for 35–40 minutes for medium rare.
  • Allow roast to sit for 5–10 minutes and then transfer to a large cutting board. (Allowing your roast to sit helps the juices redistribute.)
  • Slice and serve alongside cooked veggies.
Dinners

Recipe—Crock-Pot Ranch Pork Chops

Diva di Cucina

I don’t care if you are retired, a stay at home mom, a working individual, or even unemployed; everyone needs a quick, cheap, and easy dinner from time to time. When I find myself in this situation I go to my favorite kitchen appliance, my crock-pot. My crock-pot is freaking amazing. I toss in a couple simple ingredients before I go to work, I come home, and dinner is done. You rock my socks crock-pot! These pork chops come out super tender (practically falling apart) and the sauce is creamy and flavorful. If you are wondering what to serve them with I recommend some mashed potatoes or even white rice. Unfortunately the crock-pot isn’t much a multitasker so with this recipe you are on your own when it comes to side dishes.

Note: I make the sauce the night before and just keep it in the fridge. Then I have one less thing to do when I’m rushing around in the morning.

INGREDIENTS
4 thick cut boneless pork chops
fresh ground pepper
10.75 oz can cream of chicken soup
1 oz envelope dry ranch dressing mix
2 tsp garlic, minced
1/2 c water or chicken broth

STEPS

  • Season the pork chops with fresh ground pepper.
  • Place the pork chops in the bottom of a greased crock-pot.
  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the soup, ranch mix, garlic, and water.
  • Pour the sauce mixture over the top of the pork chops.
  • Cook on high for 4–5 hours or low for 6–7.
  • Transfer the pork chops to a serving dish or plate and using a whisk, stir the sauce in the crock-pot.
  • Ladle a small amount of the sauce over each pork chop.
Appetizers

Recipe—Garlic Parmesan Wings

Diva di Cucina

 

Recipe—Garlic Parmesan WingsSo I am totally on a low carb kick right now. I am determined to loose this extra weight in preparation for summer and just to feel better overall. A lot of people ask me, “How can you do low carb? Don’t you miss all the good stuff?” My response is, “Uhhh…NO!” One of the reasons I love low carb is that you still get to eat really good food. Look at these garlic Parmesan wings, NO CARBS! Zero! Zilch! And while they are short on carbs they are most certainly not short on flavor. I actually made these for a party last weekend and they were a hit! When I told my husband what I was making for the party he told me he probably wouldn’t eat any. Well, guess who was standing over the kitchen sink chowing down on these wings? He just could not resist them. They smelled so incredibly good! And tasted just as scrumptious. I highly recommend these wings even if you aren’t watching your carbohydrates. They were super easy to make and a real crowd pleaser. By the end of the night several people had asked for the recipe. That my friends, is a very good sign.

INGREDIENTS
2 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp dried rosemary, chopped
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp dried cumin
3 lbs chicken wings & drumsticks
4 tbsp olive oil (I used some roasted garlic flavored that I had on hand. Delish!)
2 tbsp dried basil
2 tbsp garlic, minced
1/2 c Parmesan cheese, finely grated

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 425º.
  • In a small bowl combine oregano, rosemary, salt, and cumin. Stir to combine.
  • Place the wings in a large bowl and sprinkle with the seasoning mixture. Toss to coat.
  • Place all the wings in a single layer in a baking dish.
  • Bake for 23–27 minutes or until the wings just start to turn a golden brown.
  • Place the cooked wings in a large mixing bowl.
  • Drizzle the wings with olive oil and toss to coat.
  • Season the wings with the basil, garlic, and Parmesan and again toss to coat, making sure they all have an even coating of all the flavorful goodness.
Side Dishes

Recipe—Roasted Garlic and Cauliflower Mash

Diva di Cucina

As I’ve mentioned in some of my previous posts I am always looking for delicious low-carb recipes. One of my weaknesses is steak and potatoes. I will eat potatoes in any form. Mashed, au gratin, baked, you name it! One of the closest substitutions that I have found for potatoes when watching my carbs is cauliflower.  Last year I posted a recipe for loaded baked cauliflower. It is now by far my most popular recipe on my blog. (If you haven’t tried it, do. It is fantastic!) This is another wonderful cauliflower recipe I have been loving when I need something to replace those starchy potatoes. The mild roasted garlic flavor is not overpowering at all, and the Romano cheese is just right.  These flavors really are fantastic complements to the roasted cauliflower. Cauliflower is in season right now so it is incredibly affordable and a great addition to your dinner menu.

Note: This recipe can be made up to a day ahead of time and placed in an oven safe baking dish in the fridge until ready to eat. To reheat it, bake in the oven at 350º for 20–25 minutes or until hot all the way through. 

INGREDIENTS
1 head of cauliflower, washed and broken up into florets
4–6 cloves garlic, peeled
4 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper
4 tbsp butter
1/3 c heavy cream
1/3 c Romano cheese
2 green onions, chopped

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • Lay out two large sheets of aluminum foil on top of each other.
  • Place the cauliflower florets and garlic cloves in the middle of the foil.
  • Drizzle with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Bake for 55–60 minutes or until the cauliflower is fork tender.
  • Place the roasted cauliflower and garlic in a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the butter and cream.
  • Using an electric mixer or a hand held masher, mash the cauliflower until desired consistency. (Add more cream if needed.)
  • Stir in the Romano cheese and season with additional salt and pepper if desired.
  • Serve the mashed cauliflower and garnish with chopped green onions.
Dinners

Recipe—Shrimp Gratin

Diva di Cucina

This recipe actually originated as a seafood gratin recipe, however I’m not a huge fan of lots of mystery fish thrown together so I adapted the recipe to suit my taste, and shrimp are my taste. This sauce ends up being creamy and rich and goes great with the shrimp and seasoned panko topping. This really is decadent enough to be served for a special occasion but also quick and easy enough for any night of the week. If you are scrambling to figure out what to do for Valentine’s Day dinner give this fabulous recipe a shot. Your sweetie won’t be disappointed, especially since you won’t have to spend the whole night in the kitchen. Throw together some greens for a salad and a French baguette to soak up the sauce and you have a romantic dinner in less than 40 minutes.

Note: This recipe is perfect for entertaining because all the prep and assembly (minus the panko topping) can be done well in advance to save time when your guests are over. Just make the recipe earlier in the day, put it in the baking dish or ramekins, cover with plastic wrap, and store in the fridge until ready to bake. Remove the dish(es) from the fridge a few minutes before placing in the oven, sprinkle with the panko topping and bake for 20 or so minutes.

INGREDIENTS
1 c clam juice
1 c heavy cream
1/2 c white wine
3 tbsp tomato sauce
2–2 1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 tbsp butter, divided
2 large leeks (whites and greens), washed and thinly sliced
1 c carrots, shredded
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3 tbsp flour
1/2 c panko
1/3 c Parmesan cheese, grated
2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp garlic, minced

STEPS

  • Combine the clam juice, cream, wine, and tomato sauce in a large pot and bring to a boil over medium high heat.
  • Simmer until the sauce is reduced by almost half, about 12–14 minutes.
  • While the sauce is simmering, in a medium sauté pan melt 5 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat.
  • Add the leeks and carrots and cook for 5 minutes or until tender.
  • Season the veggies with salt and pepper and stir in the flour and heat for 1 minute.
  • Place the shrimp into the pot of sauce and cook for 2–3 minutes.
  • Add the cooked veggies to the pot with the sauce and shrimp and stir to combine. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 375º.
  • In a small bowl combine the panko, Parmesan, parsley, and garlic. Melt the remaining tablespoon of butter and drizzle it over the crumbs. Toss with a fork to combine.
  • Transfer the saucy shrimp to one large baking dish or 4 individual ramekins.
  • Sprinkle the panko mixture evenly over the top of the shrimp.
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is lightly browned and the sauce is bubbly.
Dinners, Soups

Recipe—Spicy Shrimp Noodle Bowl

Diva di Cucina

This is one of those dishes that you look at and think, “It must have taken forever!” Wrong! This dish was on our table in less than 20 minutes from the time I started, and it was so simple. Those are some of the many reasons I love it! I first tried this recipe because I happened to have some bok choy on hand from my produce delivery and some shrimp in the freezer. It was just meant to be! This recipe is packed with wonderful Asian flavors but none of the ingredients are exotic or hard to find. I’m not typically a huge fan of ginger but in this recipe it is what takes it from ordinary to extraordinary so don’t leave it out. This noodle bowl ended up being really filling. My son is a big fan of pot stickers so I fried up a couple of those while this was coming to a boil. They were a great addition to the meal.

Note: For a vegetarian option substitute some tofu for shrimp. 

INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp olive oil
1/2–1 tsp crushed red peppers (depends how spicy ou like your meals)
2 tsp garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1 c shitake mushrooms, sliced
4 baby bok choy chopped
salt and pepper
4 c chicken broth
1.42 oz pack Swanson’s seafood concentrate or 1 c seafood stock
1 1/2 lb medium shrimp, deveined and peeled
6 oz pack chow mein noodles
4 green onions cut into three pieces, then cut lengthwise into thin “sticks”

STEPS

  • In a large soup pot heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add the crushed red peppers, garlic, ginger, mushrooms, and bok choy.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Add the chicken broth and seafood concentrate.
  • Put the lid on the pot and bring to a boil.
  • Add the shrimp and the noodles and cook for 3–5 minutes or until the chow mein is tender and shrimp cooked through.
  • Add in most of the green onions reserving some for garnish.
  • Cook for another 2 minutes, turn off stove and allow pot to sit for another 2–3 minutes.
  • Ladle into bowls and garnish with remaining green onions.

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray.

Side Dishes

Recipe—Garlic Roasted Mushrooms

Diva di Cucina

How many times have you had mushrooms on hand and you just sautéed and served them up as a lackluster side dish? Never again! Okay, I’m sure we will do it again, but after having these flavor packed oven-roasted mushrooms my eyes have been opened to a whole new super easy way to prepare the fabulous fungi. I won’t deny, I have simply sautéed mushrooms an abundance of times myself but mushrooms deserve so much more than that! These roasted mushrooms are so simple and the flavors come together very nicely. This dish really has an elegant flare to it, perfect for a romantic dinner night. I served it with sliced tri tip and some crusty bread to sop up all those yummy juices. Can’t let wine go to waste after all!

Note: Chop any large mushrooms in half so that they all cook evenly.

INGREDIENTS
1 lb mushrooms (cremini or white)
2 tbsp capers
2 tsp garlic, minced
2 tsp olive oil
1/4 c white wine
salt and pepper
3 tbsp butter, sliced into pieces
2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 c flat leaf parsley, chopped

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 450º F.
  • In a small baking dish toss together the mushrooms, capers, garlic, olive oil, wine, salt, and pepper.
  • Top with sliced butter.
  • Roast stirring occasionally until the mushrooms are tender, about 15–20 minutes.
  • Remove mushrooms from oven and stir in the lemon juice.
  • Top with parsley and serve immediately.
Dinners

Recipe—Garlic Shrimp and White Beans

Diva di Cucina

A couple of weeks back I had the opportunity to be a guest blogger over at Rantings of an Amateur Chef. I shared this simple recipe for Garlic Shrimp and White Beans. In case you missed it here it is. 

I absolutely love it when I can find a recipe that is not only fabulous but also incredibly quick and easy. Being a working mom those are mandatory criteria for a recipe to make it into our weeknight dinner rotation. This recipe for garlic shrimp and white beans is very simple and yet super flavorful and it only uses one pot making clean up a breeze. Score! I just put the pan right on the kitchen table and let everyone serve it up family style. This rustic recipe goes great with some crusty bread to sop up all the rich tomato sauce and a green salad to balance out the meal. Yum!

Note: If you don’t have a large ovenproof skillet just complete the first 9 steps in a regular skillet and transfer the bean and tomato mixture to an oven safe baking dish and then top with shrimp and finish off under the broiler.

INGREDIENTS
6 tbsp olive oil, divided
4 tsp garlic, minced and divided
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper (more if you like is spicy)
1 bay leaf
15 oz can petite-diced tomatoes, drained
salt and pepper
2 tbsp tomato paste
2-15 oz cans white cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1 c chicken broth
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tsp paprika
2–3 tbsp flat leaf parsley, chopped

STEPS

  • Preheat broiler.
  • Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add 2 teaspoons of the garlic, chili powder, crushed red pepper, and bay leaf.
  • Cook stirring constantly for 1–2 minutes making sure not to burn the garlic.
  • Add the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper.
  • Using the backside of the spoon smash up any large chunks of tomatoes and cook until broken down, about 5 minutes.
  • Add the tomato paste and cook stirring constantly until the tomato mixture is a deep red and begins to caramelize, about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in the beans and broth and bring to a steady simmer.
  • Cook down until the liquid has reduced and thickened.
  • In a large bowl combine the shrimp, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, remaining 2 teaspoons of garlic, paprika, and salt and pepper tossing to coat.
  • Lay the shrimp over the beans making sure they do not overlap.
  • Place the entire oven safe skillet in the oven under the broiler.
  • Broil until the shrimp are cooked through, about 4–5 minutes.
  • Carefully remove skillet from broiler.
  • Drizzle with dish with the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil and garnish with the chopped parsley.
  • Enjoy!
Side Dishes

Recipe—Savory Herb Bread Pudding

Diva di Cucina

A couple months back my family and I went to Disneyland for a few days. During our stay at the Hilton we ended up ordering room service for dinner because we were just too pooped from all the fun to actually go out. One of those nights I ordered roasted chicken, which came with a savory bread pudding. The bread pudding was phenomenal! So phenomenal, that I ordered the same dish a second time during our visit. Yes, it was that good! The bread pudding was flavor packed and went perfectly with the chicken. This last weekend I tried to replicate the recipe to go with my roasted turkey because I didn’t want to do the same old stuffing I had just had a couple of weeks prior at Thanksgiving. I think it turned out fantastic! One thing I love about this recipe is that it is super easy, can be made in advance, and goes with any type of meat! This Christmas I will be making this bread pudding along with my prime rib. Whether you are cooking a ham, turkey, or a fine cut of beef at Christmas this will be the perfect side dish that will have everyone talking. It is a perfect substitute for those plain dinner rolls or even mashed potatoes.

Note: The bread pudding can be assembled up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Remove baking dish from fridge at least one hour before baking and bring to room temperature. If you have a smaller group of people this recipe is easy to halve. Just use an 8″ x 8″ baking dish.

INGREDIENTS
2 large sourdough rounds, cut into 1” cubes
1/2 c fresh parsley, chopped
1/4 c fresh sage, chopped
2 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
salt and pepper
6 tbsp butter
2 tbsp garlic, minced
1/3 c chives, chopped
8 eggs
2 c chicken broth
2 c heavy cream

STEPS

  • Preheat oven to 325º.
  • In a large bowl combine the bread, parsley, sage, thyme, salt and pepper.
  • In a small skillet melt the butter over medium-high heat and add the garlic cooking until tender. Do not burn the garlic!
  • Add the chives to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes.
  • Drizzle the melted butter over the bread and toss to coat.
  • In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the eggs, broth, and heavy cream.
  • Pour the liquid mixture over the bread and stir until evenly coated.
  • Transfer the bread mixture to a greased 9” x 13” baking dish.
  • Gently press the soaked bread into the pan.
  • Bake for 50–60 minutes or until center is set.
  • Tent dish with foil until ready to serve.
  • Slice into squares and enjoy!