Lemon Pepper Shrimp Scampi

I promised some more seafood recipes, so here you go! I very rarely cook with shrimp, and I really don't know why. They are usually on sale at one of the many stores around my house, so I have no excuse. This recipe is so easy, you could whip it up after work and be eating dinner in no time.


This came from Cooking Light's newest Quick Cooking book by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, two of my favorites.


You don't need much for this one, just some shrimp, orzo or other small pasta, salt, butter, herbs, garlic and lemon. I just made this for me so I got almost half a pound of shrimp.

Get your water boiling for the orzo and then we can get started, there is not much to do.


Peel and devein your shrimp. If you have not done this before, here is a a great site to show you how.


Mince your garlic.


Drop in your orzo.


Melt butter over medium high heat, sprinkle the shrimp with some salt, and drop them in. You don't need to cook these guys long, just a couple of minutes. When they are almost done, get them out of there! Add another tablespoon of butter and stir in the garlic and keep stirring for about 30 seconds.


Get the shrimp back in the pan, and add the lemon juice and a little pepper, keep stirring for about another minute more.


Drain the orzo and stir in a little salt and parsley.


Get it on a plate and top it with the shrimp and the pan juices and you have a wonderful and easy meal. This definitely motivates me to try more shrimp dishes soon.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, back to reality this week!

Roasted Tilapia with Potatoes, Tomatoes and Olives

I really love fish, yet I rarely cook it, so I am dedicating the next few posts to delicious and healthy seafood! This might be a good way to get back on the diet track after Thanksgiving!


This is from a Cooking for One cookbook, so the recipe is for one serving.


You will need some potatoes, cherry or grape tomatoes, olives, white fish of your choice, garlic, lemon, wine, and herbs of your choice.


Preheat your oven or toaster oven to 425. Slice your potatoes and lemons.


Chop up your tomatoes and garlic.


Chop up your olives, be aware there may be pits in them!


Mix the potatoes with olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Pop these guys in the oven for about 10 minutes.


While the potatoes get tender in the oven, juice your lemon and measure your water and wine.


When the potatoes are done, stir in the tomatoes and olives and then layer the lemons on top.


Place the fish on top of the lemons and pour the wine and water mixture over the whole thing. Season the fish with the olive oil, salt and pepper. Put this all back in the oven for 10-15 minutes depending on how thick your fish is and how well you like it cooked.


Once everything is done, just put it on the plate and spoon some of the tasty juices over everything. This is a simple and filling fish recipe that you can change up to include the veggies and fish that you prefer. Stay tuned for more fish recipes coming soon and everyone have a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving!!

German Meatballs

Did you know today is National Pickle Day? I didn't either, but my Food Network calendar alerted me to this great holiday. This recipe actually has pickle relish in the sauce. Sound weird? Well, it was actually very delicious.


The recipe is from an old Cooking for 2 cookbook I picked up at a thrift store.


You will need some lemon, bread crumbs, beef broth, worcestershire sauce, eggs, ground meat, flour, pickle relish, parsley, onion powder and some noodles to serve.


Lets get this German party started! Beat up one egg.


Combine the first 8 ingredients listed in the recipe. Just use your hands, its the easiest way to go.


Form the mixture into meat balls. Mine are on a cute Corelle plate, of course.


Put them in a pan with the beef broth. Layers of flavor, the only way to go!


Cover and simmer these guys for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, get some water boiling for your noodles.


So this looks TOTALLY gross, but you just have to skim off all that nasty fat and you will be good to go. Get the balls out of the pan and start removing fat.


Still looking pretty darn disgusting, but I promise it gets better.


Combine the flour with cold water...


Gradually pour it into the simmering broth...


Add in the worcestershire sauce and the pickle relish and stir stir stir until it thickens. Drain your noodles and get ready to eat!


Get the noodles in a bowl and top with the meatballs, sauce and a little parsley. This was so good, the ultimate comfort food and a great way to celebrate National Pickle Day!

Sausage, Pepper and Onion Hash Hoagies

The following meal was actually shared with my husband and he really liked it. Once again, this is from Rachael Ray. It was in her Everyday with Rachael Ray magazine.




You will need some hoagie rolls, sausage, garlic, pepper, onion and hash brown potatoes.


Cook the hashbrowns per the package directions.


While those cook, chop up your veggies, including the garlic.


Get your sausage in the pan and brown it up.


Looking pretty awesome!


Keep an eye on your taters.


Get the meat out onto some paper towels to drain.


Toss in your veggies and garlic and let them cook for about 5 minutes.


Get everything in the pan together and let it cook for about 5 minutes to get all the flavors mingling.


Serve up the sausage mix on a roll and enjoy! You could even add some of your favorite hot sauce if you want. I made the full amount of hash that the recipe called for and had a great idea for the leftovers...


Pizza! I don't know which my husband and I liked better to be honest. I hope you all have a great week.