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Short Ribs with Boursin Potatoes

Short Ribs with Boursin Potatoes

Short Ribs with Boursin Potatoes are one of our very favorite winter dishes. Because, on a cold snowy day, what could be better than a rich and hearty short rib? And, served with a red wine gravy and Boursin mashed potatoes, this is just the …

Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp

Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp

Jambalaya with Andouille, Chicken, and Shrimp is one of our favorite winter dinners. Filled with tender chicken, spicy sausage, and plump shrimp this one dish meal is full of flavor. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can …

Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon

Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon

Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon is one of our favorite seafood dinners. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this entire dish in less than an hour. To serve even more time, start with precooked lobster meat. Secondly, I like that this dish can be made ahead of time and reheated. You can cook this dish early in the day, and then reheat portions in the microwave. And, lastly, I love the rich and creamy sauce that’s filled with lobster, tomatoes, bacon, and spinach.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Large Pot with a Lid- You’ll need this for steaming your lobster.
  • Lobster Crackers- Use this to get your lobsters out of the shell.
  • A Large Skillet- You’ll need this to make the pasta sauce.

The Ingredients Needed for Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon

  • Lobster- You’ll need two one pound live lobsters.
  • Bowties- I used bowtie pasta, but you can use any shape that you like.
  • Kosher Salt- Use three tablespoons of this to salt your pasta water.
  • Cream- Be sure to use heavy cream, not light cream for this recipe.
  • Lemon Juice- Use freshly squeezed lemon juice. This adds a really great flavor to the sauce.
  • Chicken Stock- I always use homemade chicken stock. My recipe is below.
  • Bacon- I used Niman Ranch applewood smoked bacon.

How I Made my Lobster and Pasta

  • First, I cooked my lobster. Be careful not to overcook your lobster.
  • Next, I made the cream sauce. Be sure to simmer your cream until it’s nice and thick.
  • Then, I cooked the bacon until it was nice and crispy.
  • Finally, I stirred in the rest of the ingredients, just until the vegetables warmed through.

If you’re a lobster lover, you need to try this creamy and delicious Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon.

Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon
Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon
Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon

Lobster and Bowties with Spinach and Bacon

Bowtie pasta in a creamy sauce with spinach, bacon, and cherry tomatoes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 2 one pound lobsters
  • 4 slices bacon
  • 12 ounces bowtie pasta
  • 3 tbsp. kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 cup onion, minced
  • 1 tbsp. garlic, minced
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ¾ cup chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and black pepper
  • 1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 3 cups baby spinach leaves
  • 2 cups halved cherry tomatoes

Instructions
 

  • Begin by cooking the lobsters: Bring two inches of water to a boil over high heat in a very large pot. Add the lobsters and hold down the lid to kill them quickly. Steam them for twelve minutes.
  • While the lobsters steam, cook the bacon. Heat a skillet on low heat and cook the bacon until brown and crispy. Drain, crumble, and set aside.
  • Remove the lobster meat from the shells and chop it all in one- inch pieces. Set aside.
  • Bring a large pot of water to boil for the pasta. Add the salt and the pasta and cook until al dente.
  • In a large skillet, melt the butter. Cook the onion and garlic until they're soft, for about five minutes. Stir in the cream and chicken stock and simmer for six minutes, or until the cream thickens. Stir in the lobster, spinach, tomatoes, bacon, cheese, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
Keyword seafood
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Chicken Stock

Chicken Stock

Homemade chicken stock
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 4½ lbs. chicken breasts and wings with skin and bones
  • 10 cups water
  • 2 peeled onions
  • 2 peeled carrots
  • 3 peeled parsley roots
  • 1 tbsp. kosher salt
  • 4 stalks celery
  • 1 peeled parsnip
  • 2 tbsp. garlic cloves
  • 1 cup fresh parsley and fresh dill

Instructions
 

  • Put the chicken and the salt in a large, tall pot and cover with ten cups of cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, skimming any scum that forms.
  • Add all the vegetables and herbs and simmer for two and a half hours. Pour the soup through a strainer to remove everything but the broth.
Keyword chicken soup, chicken stock, stock
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Gingerbread Rolls with Creamy Frosting

Gingerbread Rolls with Creamy Frosting

Gingerbread Rolls with Creamy Frosting are one of our favorite winter breads. I love these rolls for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make the dough in my bread machine. That makes this a super easy recipe to prepare. Secondly, I …

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Peppermint Chocolate Chip Biscotti are one of our favorite Christmas cookies. I love these cookies for several reasons. First of all, I love that I can make these cookies in less than an hour. Secondly, I like that these cookies use baking supplies that I …

Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza

Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza

Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza is one of our favorite cold weather dinners. We love this pizza for several reasons. First of all, I really like that I can make the pizza dough up to two days in advance. Pizza dough just gets better after sitting in the fridge for a day or two. Secondly, I like that this pizza is super easy to reheat. You can reheat it in the air fryer or in the oven. And, lastly, we all love how delicious this pizza is. The creamy Alfredo and smoky bacon add incredible flavor. This is not your ordinary every day pizza.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Bread Machine- I love making doughs in my bread machine. If you don’t have a bread machine, check out my recipe for hand kneaded pizza dough.
  • A Food Scale- For perfect pizza, be sure to weigh your flour.
  • Pizza Peels- I like to roll out each ball of dough on to a pizza peel.
  • Pizza Stones- Use pizza stones for best results. Or, you can bake your pizza on a baking sheet.

The Ingredients Needed for Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza

  • Flour- Use all purpose flour.
  • Yeast- Be sure to use active dry yeast, not quick yeast.
  • Heavy Cream- Use heavy cream, not light cream.
  • Milk- Be sure to use whole milk.
  • Parmesan Cheese- Use Parmigiano Reggiano parmesan.
  • Cream Cheese-This helps thicken the Alfredo up.
  • Chicken – Use boneless, skinless chicken breast.
  • Bacon- I really like Niman Ranch apple wood smoked bacon.
  • Mozzarella Cheese- I used fresh mozzarella cheese. Be sure to use full fat mozzarella cheese.

How I Made my Pizza

  • First, I made my dough.
  • Next, while the dough rose, I made the Alfredo sauce. It’s important to simmer the cream until it thickens.
  • Then, I baked the chicken, mushrooms, and bacon.
  • Finally, I topped the pizza and baked it off.

If you like Alfredo sauce, you need to try this cheesy and delicious Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza.

Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza
Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza
Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza

Chicken and Bacon Alfredo Pizza

Homemade pizza dough made in the bread machine, topped with a creamy alfredo sauce, chicken, bacon, chopped tomatoes, and mushrooms.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 8
Calories 425 kcal

Equipment

  • Bread Machine

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese
  • 5 ounces cream cheese, very softened
  • 10 ounces boneless chicken breast, sliced in one inch strips
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
  • 4 slices bacon
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 tsp. each dried oregano and garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and pepper
  • 1 plum tomato, minced
  • 2 cups fresh mozzarella cheese, shredded

For the Bread Machine Pizza Dough:

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 cups all purpose flour (360g)
  • 1 tsp. honey
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp active dry yeast

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the pizza dough: Add all the ingredients to your bread machine, in the order suggested by the manufacturer. Select the dough cycle and press start.
  • While the dough is being made in the bread machine, make the Alfredo sauce: In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic and cook about ten minutes or until the onion is soft. Add the cream and milk and cook on medium heat until the mixture thickens, about ten minutes. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and cream cheese.
  • As the Alfredo cooks, bake the chicken, mushrooms, and bacon: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, toss together the chicken, mushrooms, oil, lemon juice, oregano, garlic powder, kosher salt, and pepper. Place it all on a rimmed baking sheet along with the bacon. Bake for 15 minutes. When it's done, chop the chicken and bacon into half or quarter inch pieces.
  • When the dough cycle is done, dump the dough on a floured board, and cut it in half. Roll each half into two 12 inch circles, on parchment covered baking peels. Brush the doughs with olive oil, and cover them with plastic wrap. Let them rise for 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
  • Top the dough with first the Alfredo sauce, and then sprinkle on the tomato, chicken, mushrooms, and bacon.
  • Using the pizza peels, slide the parchment and dough onto the pizza stones. Bake for 15 minutes. Then, add the cheese and bake for five more minutes.

Nutrition

Calories: 425kcal
Keyword Chicken
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Easy Meatball and Mozzarella Skillet

Easy Meatball and Mozzarella Skillet

Easy Meatball and Mozzarella Skillet is one of our favorite cold weather appetizers. We love this appetizer for several reasons. First of all, we love eating these warm meatballs topped with cheese on cold nights. Sometimes we eat this as an appetizer with crusty bread. …

Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions

Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions

Potato Pierogi with Caramelized Onions are one of our favorite cold weather appetizers. I love these pierogi for several reasons. First of all, I like that this dough is so easy to roll out. And, it doesn’t require a pasta machine. Secondly, I like that …

Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo

Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo

Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo is one of our favorite shrimp dinners. I like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this whole dish in less than thirty minutes. That’s actually less time than it takes me to pick up take out. Secondly, I like that this dish uses food items I always have in the house. Because, I always keep frozen Gulf shrimp in my freezer. And, lastly, we all love the creamy pasta and spicy shrimp. This dish is a real family pleaser.

The Equipment I Used

  • A Large Pot- You’ll need a large pot to boil your pasta.
  • A Cast Iron Skillet- I like to sear my shrimp in a cast iron skillet. But, you can use any large skillet or a grill pan to cook your shrimp.

The Ingredients Needed for Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo

  • Kosher Salt- I like to use Diamond kosher salt for salting my pasta water.
  • Butter- Use unsalted butter to make the Alfredo sauce and to cook the shrimp.
  • Onion- Adding onion to the Alfredo sauce adds so much flavor.
  • Garlic- I like to buy the peeled cloves and store them in my freezer.
  • Fettuccini- I like to use fettuccini for this dish, but you can use any pasta shape you like.
  • Heavy Cream- Be sure to use heavy cream, not light cream.
  • Milk- Use whole milk, not low fat or skim.
  • Shrimp- I like to use Gulf shrimp. I buy the frozen bags of it and store them in my freezer.
  • Spices- Dried spices give the shrimp so much flavor.
  • Thyme and Basil- Fresh basil and thyme adds so much freshness.
  • Peas- Use frozen baby peas for this dish. You can just add them frozen and let them cook in the sauce.
  • Parmesan- This is an essential ingredient that adds so much flavor.

How I Made my Shrimp and Pasta

  • First, I boiled the fettuccini.
  • Next, I made the Alfredo sauce. It’s important to simmer the sauce until it thickens.
  • Then, I cooked my shrimp. Shrimp turn pink when they’re done.
  • Finally, I stirred the shrimp and pasta into the sauce and served it up.

If you like shrimp, you need to try this spicy creamy Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo.

Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo
Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo
Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo

Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo

Creamy fettuccini topped with spicy blackened shrimp.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces fettuccini
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • ½ cup onion, chopped
  • 2 tbsp. minced garlic
  • ½ cup each heavy cream and whole milk
  • 1 pound large Gulf shrimp
  • 2 tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp. each garlic powder, oregano, and paprika
  • 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
  • ¼ tsp. each kosher salt and cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, shredded
  • ¼ cup basil leaves

Instructions
 

  • Begin by making the fettuccini: Bring a large pot of water with six quarts of water to a boil. When it reaches a boil, add nine teaspoons of kosher salt and the fettuccini. Cook the fettuccini until it's just al dente. The time for this should be on the pasta box.
  • While the pasta cooks, make the Alfredo sauce: In a large skillet melt the butter. Add the onion and garlic and cook on low heat until the onion softens, about ten minutes. Add the cream and milk and cook on medium heat, until the mixture thickens about ten minutes.
  • As the sauce thicken, make the shrimp: In a bowl, mix together the shrimp, softened butter, and herbs and spices. Heat a cast iron pan on medium heat and cook the shrimp on both sides until they're pink and cooked through.
  • Into the Alfredo sauce, stir in the peas, Parmesan, fettuccini and the shrimp. Serve topped with extra Parmesan and the basil leaves.
Keyword seafood
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Miso Salmon Rice Bowls

Miso Salmon Rice Bowls

Miso Salmon Rice Bowls are one of our favorite salmon dinners. I like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like how light and healthy this dish is . Secondly, I like that I can make this entire meal in less than an …