Creole Shrimp & Sweet Potato Grits

Well, my food photography studio is finally back up and running after a short hiatus following our move...I'm so excited to get the blog posts flowing again.  I've even got a window in the studio that has gorgeous natural light, so I'm looking forward to experimenting with that.

This delicious seafood dinner graced our table last night.  Shrimp & Grits has long been a favorite of ours, but I love recipes that put a new twist on stand-by favorites.  The sweet potato grits are what originally caught my attention.  

I used an apple-smoked gouda cheese in the grits, which paired with the mashed sweet potatoes perfectly.  It gave the grits a wonderfully cheesy, smoky flavor, and the sweet potatoes infused the grits with super food nutrients.

This is an easy dish to prepare and left us plenty of time to enjoy our new fire pit after dinner.  My sweet hubby built a fire pit for me recently, and we love spending time around it roasting marshmallows and making smores.  It doesn't get any better than that on a chilly fall evening!

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Creole Shrimp & Sweet Potato Grits
Adapted from:  Southern Living

Ingredients:
2 cups milk
1 cup uncooked regular grits
1 tablespoon Creole seasoning
2 pounds large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon canola oil
3/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon lemon zest
1 cup cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
1 cup (4 oz.) shredded smoked Gouda cheese
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepperGarnish: fresh cilantro sprigs

Directions:
Bring milk and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat; gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, 10 minutes or until thickened.

Meanwhile, sprinkle Creole seasoning over shrimp. Sauté garlic in hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 30 seconds. Add shrimp, and sauté 3 minutes or until shrimp are almost pink. Add green onions and next 2 ingredients, and sauté 3 minutes.

Stir potatoes and next 4 ingredients into grits. Serve shrimp mixture over sweet potato grits.

Creamy Orzo with Bay Scallops, Asparagus & Parmesan

I'm currently working on a fun project, that I'm so excited about...I'm photographing a cookbook all about fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, and I can't wait to see the finished book.  It's going to be filled with awesome recipes and everything you need to know about all the different species of fish found in the Gulf.  And I don't know about you, but it's pretty hard to beat a plate full of fresh, yummy seafood!

This recipe is a family favorite around our house and is easy, delicious and incredibly comforting.  Fresh, sauteed bay scallops are the star of this dish, which will make an appearance in the upcoming book.  

 The creamy orzo pairs perfectly with the satisfying crunch of the asparagus, and the addition of grated Parmesan cheese rounds it out wonderfully.  In fact, this recipe is a new version of THIS DISH that you might remember from an earlier post.  That recipe has become such a big hit with you guys, that I decided to add a little bit of a new spin to it.

I hope you like it.  :)

Bon Appetit, my friends!  

Creamy Orzo with Bay Scallops, Asparagus and Parmesan

By Celeste Ward

Ingredients:

1 lb. bay scallops

1/2 cup yellow onion, diced

1 lb. orzo pasta

1 cup asparagus, cut into 1 inch pieces

5 Tbsp butter or margarine, divided

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped, plus more for garnish

1/2 tsp salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions:

Rinse scallops and pat dry.  Set to the side.

Melt 1 tbsp of the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 4 - 5 minutes.  Remove the onions to a plate and set aside. 

Next, add 2 tbsp of the butter to the skillet and melt over medium heat.  Add the prepared scallops and sauté for 4 - 5 minutes.  Place scallops on a heated platter and cover with foil.

Fill a large sauce pan of water with 4 - 6 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Add the orzo and stir.

After the orzo has been boiling for 5 minutes, add the asparagus to the same pot and continue to cook for 5 additional minutes.  Once the orzo and asparagus are cooked and tender, drain well and pour into a large mixing bowl.

Quickly add the parmesan cheese and the final 2 tbsp of butter to the orzo and asparagus mixture. Stir thoroughly, allowing both the cheese and butter to melt. Slowly add the cream, while stirring.  Next, add the sautéed onions, scallops and fresh parsley.  Mix well.  Season with salt and pepper.  Garnish with additional parsley.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Roasted Greek Shrimp with Orzo

Some of my best memories growing up revolved around vacations spent along the Gulf of Mexico.  Those vacations were filled with fun in the sun, time spent with family, and delicious meals made unforgettable by the amazingly fresh seafood right out of the Gulf near my home state of Alabama.

To this day, I still love a big plate of fresh shrimp, grouper, snapper, flounder or yes...even raw oysters (with hot sauce and a saltine cracker, of course!). 

The wonderful thing about seafood is that it cooks quickly, plus it's really healthy (as long as it's not fried).  That's always a combination worth smiling about!

This dish for Roasted Greek Shrimp with Orzo has become one of my recent favorites.  It's packed with vibrant flavors that will have your tastebuds singing.  I love Greek ingredients almost as much as fresh seafood, so I'm particularly proud to say this is an original recipe.  

And you know what?  It's SO Easy!

For this dish, fresh Alabama Gulf Shrimp are simply mixed with olives, artichoke hearts, grape tomatoes and fresh parsley.  After a quick drizzle of olive oil and some seasonings, it makes a quick trip to the oven and is roasted for about 10-12 minutes.  A sprinkling of crumbled, feta cheese finishes things off, and the delicious mixture is served atop a bed of warm orzo pasta.  

So, now that you're hopefully craving a big plate of delicious seafood, why not hop on over and check out the Alabama Gulf Seafood website.  It's filled with pretty much anything and everything you ever wanted to know about Gulf seafood, including great recipes.

Bon Appetit, my friends!

Roasted Greek Shrimp with Orzo
by Celeste Ward

Ingredients:
1 lb Alabama Gulf Shrimp, peeled, deveined, with tails on
1  2.25 oz. can sliced olives, drained
6 oz. quartered & marinated artichoke hearts, drained
5 oz. grape tomatoes, halved
1 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced, plus more for garnish
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1/2 - 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup cooked orzo pasta (directions below)

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 

Place the shrimp in a large mixing bowl.  Next, add the olives, grape tomatoes, and fresh parsley.  Squeeze all excess liquid out of the artichoke hearts and add those to the bowl with the other ingredients.  Drizzle the mixture with the extra virgin olive oil and season with the garlic salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Stir well to thoroughly combine the ingredients.

Spread the mixture into a single layer on a baking sheet lined with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper. 

Roast in the pre-heated oven for approximately 10 - 12 minutes, or until the shrimp is cooked through.

Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve over the warm orzo.  Garnish with fresh parsley.

For the Orzo:
Ingredients:
1 cup orzo pasta
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp. lemon zest
Salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:
While the Greek shrimp mixture is roasting, cook orzo according to package directions.

Drain the cooked orzo and drizzle with the extra virgin olive oil.  Add the lemon zest and season with salt and pepper.  Stir together and keep warm until ready to serve.

Fish Tacos with Pan-Seared Mahi-Mahi

I recently saw a gorgeous photo of fish tacos that literally made my mouth water.   Ever since, I've been craving them like something fierce!  For the life of me, I can't remember where I saw that photo....I think it might have been a restaurant advertisement.  I keep thinking I'll see the photo again, but not so far.

Plus, the May issue of Food Network Magazine ran a special section on tacos, with 50 Taco Recipes.  Well, after seeing that original photo and seeing all the delicious taco options in FN mag, I've been on somewhat of a taco kick.  Do you ever get on food kicks?  

Well, fish tacos were at the very tip-top of my taco list, so I came up with the recipe below.  I have to say that they came out quite scrumptious...Gorgeous to look at with an incredibly fresh and citrusy flavor.  The creamy guacamole, paired with the fresh lime and cilantro in the pico de gallo results in a stellar combination.

Brad and I even made a special trip to our local fish market to pick out the perfect mahi-mahi filets.   You don't necessarily have to use mahi-mahi.  If you have another favorite, that's a-okay.  You'll just want to use a thick cut of a fish that's not too flaky. 

These have earned a spot on my top-rated recipes...You'll really LOVE these!

Bon Appetit, my friends!!

Fish Tacos with Pan-Seared Mahi-Mahi

Ingredients:

Fresh guacamole (recipe below)

Fresh Pico de Gallo (recipe below)

1 small head red cabbage, shredded

2 tbsp vegetable oil

3 tbsp fresh lime juice

2 lbs. mahi mahi, cut crosswise into 1-inch strips

1 tbsp butter 

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Salt & pepper, to taste

Ten 7-inch tortillas, warmed

Directions:

Prepare the fresh guacamole and pico de gallo according to the recipes below.  Put both into the fridge until ready to use.

In a large bowl, toss the cabbage with the 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and 2 tablespoons of the lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.  Set to the side.

Add the butter and olive oil to a medium skillet and melt over medium heat.  Season the strips of mahi mahi with salt and pepper, and add them to the skillet.  Cook for approximately 8-10 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through, turning once.  Drizzle the fish with the remaining 1 tbsp of lime juice.  Once cooked, remove from the heat and put to the side.  

To assemble the tacos:

Spread about 1 tbsp of the guacamole on one half of a warmed tortilla.  Top with several strips of mahi-mahi, along with a large spoonful of the cabbage slaw.  Finish it off with a large spoonful of pico de gallo.

Serve with lime wedges.

Enjoy!

Fresh Guacamole

Ingredients:

2 Hass avocados, halved, pitted and peeled

Juice of 1 lime

2 tbsp. minced red onion

2 tbsp. chopped cilantro

1 tomato, diced

Salt & pepper, to taste

Extra Cilantro, for garnish

Directions:

In a medium bowl, mash the avocados with a fork.  Add the lime juice, red onion, cilantro and tomato.  Stir well.  Season with salt & pepper, to taste.

Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the guacamole until ready to use.  (This will help prevent it from changing color).  Garnish with a fresh sprig of cilantro.

Enjoy!

Pico de Gallo

Ingredients:

1 large tomato, diced into small pieces

1/2 red onion, diced

1/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Fresh lime juice, to taste

Directions:

Mix all ingredients. Stir well and chill in the fridge. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips!

 

 

 

 

Shrimp with Parmigiano Reggiano Grits & Tomatoes - Virginia Willis

One can never, ever go wrong when combining the creamy goodness of southern grits with plump and juicy shrimp.  Seriously...It just might be one of the greatest food combinations there is.  I've blogged about Shrimp & Grits before HERE.  Brad is crazy about the dish, so I'm always on the look-out for new versions to try.  When I came across this recipe by the lovely and talented Virginia Willis, I immediately put it on my "To-Make" list.

I had the pleasure of meeting and spending some time with Virginia at Food Blog South in January of this year.  What an amazing lady!  Her recipe for Shrimp & Grits is quite superb and is a decidedly dressed up version of the classic dish.  She kicks things up a notch with fresh herbs, whole tomatoes and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.   She's also lightened the dish with the help of low fat milk and olive oil instead of cream and butter.

Perfection on a plate.

And guess what - Virginia prepared this dish in a demo at the Paris Cookbook Fair earlier this year.  That's right - Shrimp & Grits in Paris.  Yes, Please!!!

Want the recipe?  You can find it HERE over on Virginia's blog.

Or, better yet...Buy the cookbook!
Bon Appétit, Y’all: Recipes and Stories from Three Generations of Southern Cooking by Virginia Willis


Bon Appetit, my friends! 

Lemony Salmon with Cherry Tomato Couscous

Some dishes just beg to be eaten.  This is one of those meals.

Upon first glance, the bright red cherry tomatoes, vibrant green cilantro, and pan seared salmon fillets nestled on top invite you in for a visual treat.  After you get past the pretty colors popping off the plate, the citrusy aromas from the lemon find their way to your nose.

Sounds pretty great, right?

Well, this dish is a treat both to look at and eat.  After all, the old adage rings true - We do indeed eat first with our eyes.

The flavor combinations here are splendid - whole wheat couscous, paprika, fresh ginger, red onion, lemon, cherry tomato, and cilantro are excellent partners for salmon, as it turns out.  This dish is bright and refreshing, while satisfying at the same time.

It's a healthy meal that will leave you with a full tummy and a happy smile.  :)

Bon Appetit!

Lemony Salmon with Cherry Tomato Couscous

Source:  foodnetwork.com

Adapted from:  Nigella Kitchen:  Recipes from the Heart of the Home, by Nigella Lawson

Ingredients:

• Heaping 1 cup couscous (I used whole wheat couscous)
• 3 teaspoons kosher salt or 1 1/2 teaspoons table salt
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh gingerroot
• 1 cup freshly boiled water
• 1/2 small red onion, finely chopped (about 1/4 cup)
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 tablespoon garlic flavored oil, plus 1 teaspoon
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
• 4 salmon fillets
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Directions:

Put the couscous into a heatproof bowl, with 2 teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon table salt), 1/4 teaspoon of the paprika, and all the grated ginger. Give everything a bit of a mix before adding the hot boiled water. Cover the bowl, either with plastic wrap or a plate, and set aside. 

Into another bowl, put the finely chopped onion.


In a wide, shallow dish, big enough to take the salmon fillets later, zest the lemon into the dish.


Squeeze the lemon juice into the bowl with the onions.


Add the remaining salt and the paprika to the bowl with the lemon zest and stir in 1 tablespoon garlic flavored oil.


Halve the cherry or grape tomatoes and put them into yet another bowl. Stir in the remaining teaspoon of garlic flavored oil and set aside.


Heat a large frying pan for the salmon fillets. While the pan is getting hot, add the fillets to the dish with the lemon zest and coat both sides with the mixture.


Put the fillets in the hot pan and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, depending on thickness. The fillets should be juicy and have a vivid coral color in the middle, so do check as you cook.


Meanwhile, uncover and fluff the couscous, which should have absorbed all the water. Add the tomatoes with lemony onion mixture and stir with a fork.


Add nearly all of the cilantro to the couscous, and stir it through, then taste for seasoning, adding more salt if needed.


Spoon some couscous onto each plate and arrange a salmon fillet alongside. Sprinkle with a little more cilantro as you hand out each plate.

Lime-Honey Glazed Salmon with Warm Black Bean & Corn Salad

Today, I bring you a beautiful dish that tastes just as pretty as it looks.  It makes a beautiful presentation and takes minimal time to put together.  Sounds pretty awesome, right?

It's been a rainy, cloudy and generally dreary day here in Birmingham.  There's some ugly, severe weather headed our way late tonight...Let's hope it doesn't get too bad!  So, just how do you brighten up a rainy day?  This cheerful dish is the perfect place to start.

Watch out...The colors of this recipe pop right off the plate and almost slap you in the face!  The lime juice really adds a great citrusy note, and the honey balances that by adding the perfect amount of sweetness to the glaze.

Mmm!

Salmon is such a wonderfully healthy ingredient that I love to use as often as possible.  I'm always on the lookout for new salmon dishes, and this recipe from Rachael Ray is definitely one that I'll refer back to in the future.  It's a keeper!

Bon Appetit, my friends!

The warm black bean and corn salad cooking in the skillet...Yum!

  

Lime-Honey Glazed Salmon with Warm Black Bean & Corn Salad

Source:  365:  No Repeats by Rachael Ray

Ingredients: 

4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 medium Red Onion, chopped

2 large Garlic Cloves, chopped

1/2 to 1 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes 

1 tsp. Ground Cumin 

Salt and freshly ground Black Pepper

Juice of 2 limes

3 Tbsp. Honey 

1 tsp. Chili Powder 

4  6oz. Salmon Fillets 

1 Red Bell Pepper, cored, seeded, and chopped

1  10oz Box Frozen Corn kernels, defrosted 

1/2 cup Chicken Stock

1  15oz. can Black Beans, rinsed and drained

2 to 3 Tbsp. Fresh Cilantro, chopped

6 cups Baby Spinach

Directions:

Preheat a medium skillet over medium heat with 2 tablespoons of the EVOO (twice around the pan).  Add the onions, garlic, red pepper flakes, cumin, salt and pepper.  Cook, stirring occasionally , for 3 minutes.

While the onions are cooking, preheat a medium non-stick skillet over medium-high heat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of EVOO.  In a shallow dish, combine the juice of 1 lime, honey, chili powder, salt and pepper.  Add the salmon fillets to the lime-honey mixture and toss to coat thoroughly.  Add the seasoned salmon to the hot skillet and cook until just cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side.

To the cooked onions, add the bell peppers and corn kernels and cook for 1 minute.  Add the chicken stock and continue to cook for another 2 minutes.  Add the black beans and cook until the beans are just heated through.  Remove the skillet from the heat and add the juice of the second lime, the cilantro, and spinach.  Toss to wilt the spinach and then taste and adjust the seasoning.  Serve the lime-and-honey-glazed salmon on top of the warm black bean and corn salad.

Salmon in Lemon Brodetto with Pea Puree

Wait!!  Stop right there!  Don't let the "pea puree" in the title scare you away...haha.

I know, I know...When we hear the two little words "pea puree," thoughts of irresistible deliciousness aren't usually the first things that come to mind.  However, maybe it's time to give peas a chance.

This dish from Giada de Laurentiis will put all those unsavory thoughts that pea puree sometimes conjures up to rest.  After all, this isn't just any old pea puree...It's flavored with fresh mint, garlic and grated Parmesan.  Plus, when paired with the Lemon Brodetto and seared salmon, you've got one pretty amazing dinner on your table.  

Every time I serve this dish, my husband insists that it looks (and tastes) like something you'd order in a 5-star restaurant.  It makes such a beautiful presentation, and you know what??  It's so EASY to make, too.

The Lemon Brodetto has such a great flavor, and the pea puree sort of melts into the brodetto as you eat it.  Simply delicious!

Bon Appetit!

Salmon in Lemon Brodetto with Pea Puree
Source:  Everyday Italian;  Giada de Laurentiis

Ingredients:

Lemon Brodetto:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 shallot, diced
• 2 lemons, juiced
• 1 lemon, zested
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves

Pea Puree:

• 2 cups frozen peas, thawed (about 10 ounces)
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 
  

Salmon:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 (4 to 6-ounce) pieces salmon
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Directions

To make the Lemon Brodetto, warm the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and saute until tender, about 7 minutes. Add the lemon juice, zest, and broth. Bring to a simmer, and keep warm, covered, over low heat. 

To make the Pea Puree, combine the peas, mint, garlic, salt, and pepper in a food processor and puree. With the machine running, add the olive oil in a steady drizzle. Transfer the pea puree to a small bowl and stir in the Parmesan. Set aside. 

To make the Salmon, warm the olive oil in a large, heavy skillet over high heat. Season the salmon pieces with salt and pepper. Sear the salmon until a golden crust forms, about 4 to 5 minutes on the first side. Flip the fish and continue cooking until medium-rare, about 2 minutes more depending on the thickness of the fish. 

To assemble the dish, add the tablespoon chopped mint to the Lemon Brodetto and divide between 4 shallow dishes. Place a large spoonful of Pea Puree into the center of each bowl. Place a salmon piece atop each mound of Pea Puree. Serve immediately.

Shrimp & Grits + Helen, GA!

***A few weeks ago, Brad and I got the chance to get away for a quick weekend trip to Helen, GA.  We kept hearing about this unique little town modeled after an Alpine village, and we were curious about what the German town had to offer.  I was especially curious about how much it would remind me of our actual trip to Germany.

I have to say that I wasn't disappointed.  We had a fabulous time meandering around the village, eating German food, hiking the local trails, and even got dressed up in traditional German clothing!


Fortunately, we had the pleasure of dining at the Nacoochee Grill while we were there.  It was honestly one of the best restaurant meals that I've had in a very long time.  It offered the very best in fine gourmet dining, but at a surprisingly affordable price.  For an appetizer, we began our meal with perfectly prepared eggrolls filled with marinated steak.  They came arranged in a pretty row on a white platter....I wish I had taken photos!  For my entree, I had the marinated, grilled shrimp with mango salsa, which was heaven on a plate!  Brad ordered the Shrimp & Grits, which turned out to be simply incredible!  

The Shrimp & Grits were made using White-Speckled Stone Ground White Grits, which were made nearby at the Nora Mill Granary.   I was able to get my hands on a bag of these fine grits at a store in town (you can buy them on their website!), along with a bag of their "Grandma's Biscuit & Pancake Mix."  These two purchases were among my favorite souvenirs!  

Wow...These grits are truly something special.  Now, some of you may be thinking, "What in the heck are GRITS?!?"  My fellow Southerners know just what I'm talking about.  ;-)  Here's a LINK for those of you that haven't heard of this famous Southern delicacy!  

As soon as I had the chance, I made Shrimp & Grits once we got back home.  This recipe from Paula Deen was so good, that I've made it twice already!  


Bon Appetit!

Shrimp and Grits Recipe
Source:  Paula Deen

Ingredients

• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined, left whole if small and roughly chopped if medium or large
• 6 slices bacon, chopped into tiny pieces
• 4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup thinly sliced green onions, white and green parts
• 1 large garlic clove, minced

Directions

1. To make the shrimp and grits recipe, bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the grits and salt and pepper to taste. Stir well with a whisk. Reduce the heat to the lowest possible setting and cook the grits until all the water is absorbed, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and cheese. Keep covered until ready to serve. 

2. Rinse the shrimp and pat dry. Fry the bacon in a large skillet until browned and crisp, then drain on a paper towel. Add the shrimp to the bacon grease in the skillet and saute over medium heat just until they turn pink, about 3 minutes. Do not overcook! Immediately add the lemon juice, parsley, green onions, and garlic. Remove the skillet from the heat. 

3. Pour the grits into a serving bowl. Pour the shrimp mixture over the grits. Garnish with the bacon bits. 

Note: If you are serving this as an appetizer, spoon 1/4 cup grits onto a bread or salad plate. Top with 1/4 cup of the shrimp mixture. Garnish with a sprinkling of crisp bacon bits and serve immediately.

Roasted Salmon with Lentils

***Lately, Brad and I have been on a little bit of a health kick.  I've always tried to cook pretty healthy, and we've both been even more mindful of what we're eating.  Last week, Brad requested that I work salmon into the weekly repertoire.  I came across this recipe in Martha Stewart's Everyday Food: Great Food Fast cookbook, and it looked and sounded so delicious - Roasted salmon on a bed of lentils, which is drizzled with a glorious mustard vinaigrette of fresh parsley, dijon mustard, minced garlic, red wine vinegar and olive oil.

DELISH!

The mustard vinaigrette adds such an awesome flavor to the entire meal.  Half of the vinaigrette is mixed in with the lentils, and the other half is drizzled over the salmon once it's been plated.


Lentils are a member of the legume family.  They are wonderful because they are packed with tons of protein and iron, plus they sort of reinvent themselves with every new dish you make.  You can flavor them in so many different ways!  In addition, salmon is packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, along with essential vitamins and minerals.


Bon Appetit!!***

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup lentils
• 1/2 small onion chopped
• 1 large celery stalk chopped
• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic minced
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 4 skinless salmon fillets (6 ounces each)
• Nonstick cooking spray

Directions:

1. Heat broiler. Combine lentils and 2 1/2 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Add onion and celery; cover, and continue cooking until lentils and vegetables are just tender, 15 to 25 minutes more. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Transfer lentils and vegetables to a medium bowl.
   
2. In a bowl, whisk 2 tablespoons reserved cooking liquid with vinegar, oil, mustard, garlic, and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Toss half the dressing with the lentil mixture.
   
3. Meanwhile, season salmon with salt and pepper. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Arrange salmon on sheet; broil until opaque throughout, 8 to 10 minutes. Spoon lentils onto plates; top with salmon, flaking it into large pieces, if desired. Drizzle with remaining dressing.
   

Roasted Shrimp with Feta

***Shrimp have always been one of my favorite kinds of seafood.  Growing up, I can remember always ordering fried popcorn shrimp when we went out to eat.  Those mini little pieces of yumminess were always so much fun to eat as a kid.  While my taste in shrimp dishes have become a little more refined over the years, it's hard to deny that an occasional fried shrimp isn't still delicious.

Now, if you've visited my blog before, you may know that I also love greek-inspired food.  This dish from Ina Garten is a clear choice...The roasted shrimp in this dish are perfectly accented by the feta and tomatoes.  It's a fairly easy dish that is a great remedy when you need a dish to impress your dinner guests.  They'll think you spent a lot more time in the kitchen than you actually did.  ;-)

Ina's presentation of this dish also gives it that extra special "something." Arranging the shrimp upright in a circle around the saute pan makes it so pretty.

Bon Appetit!!***

ROASTED SHRIMP WITH FETA
Source:  How Easy is That? by Ina Garten
Serves 4

Ingredients:
Good olive oil

1 1/2 cups diced fennel (1 bulb)
1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
2 teaspoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon Pernod
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 pounds (16 to 18) shrimp, peeled and deveined with the tails left on
3 ounces feta cheese, preferably Greek or French, coarsely crumbled
1 cup fresh bread crumbs (see note)
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 lemons

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in 10- or 12-inch heavy ovenproof skillet over medium-low heat. Add the fennel and garlic and sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, until tender. Add the wine and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits clinging to the bottom of the skillet, and cook until the liquid is reduced by half, 2 to 3 minutes.

3. Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, Pernod, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the skillet. Simmer over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Arrange the shrimp artfully in one layer over the tomato mixture in the skillet. Scatter feta evenly over the shrimp. In a small bowl, combine the bread crumbs, parsley, and lemon zest with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle evenly over the shrimp.

5. Bake the shrimp for about 15 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through and the bread crumbs are golden brown. Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon over the shrimp. Serve hot with wedges of lemon.

NOTE: To make 1 cup of fresh bread crumbs, remove the crusts from 3 to 4 slices white bread and place in a food processor fitted with the steel blade and process until the bread is in crumbs.

Assemble the shrimp right in a 10- to 12-inch stainless-steel sauté pan, and then put the pan in the oven for 15 minutes before serving.

I recommend Greek or French feta if you can find it. Usually I prefer feta cubed rather than crumbled, but here I crumble it in large pieces. Pernod is one of my secret ingredients. Whenever I cook with fennel, Pernod gives the dish just the right licorice jolt that I love. You don't know the Pernod is there, you just know that the fennel tastes wonderful.