Lemon Garlic Chicken Piccata is one of our favorite chicken dinners. I start this dish by breading the chicken breasts and frying them in olive oil. Next, I make a lemony, garlicky, buttery sauce. We like this chicken dish for several reasons. First of all, …
Smoked Mozzarella-Topped Eggplant Rollatini is one of our favorite winter dinners. I start the rollatini by frying eggplant until it’s crispy. Then, I roll each eggplant slice around fresh ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese. Next, I top these cheesy eggplant bundles with homemade tomato sauce and rich and creamy smoked mozzarella …
Buttery Shrimp and Parmesan Linguini is one of our favorite seafood dinners. I start this dish by cooking linguini pasta. While the linguini boils, I cook shrimp and garlic in lots of butter. Finally, I toss the shrimp and linguini with red pepper flakes and Parmesan cheese. We like this dish for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can cook this entire dish in just twenty minutes. That makes it perfect for busy days. Secondly, I like that I can make this dish ahead of time. I like to make it early in the day and then heat it up in the microwave. And, lastly, we all love the sweet shrimp and the garlicky, buttery linguini.
The Equipment I Used
A Large Pot- Use a large pot to cook the linguini so that it doesn’t stick together.
The Ingredients Needed for Buttery Shrimp and Parmesan Linguini
Salt- Use salt to flavor your pasta cooking water.
Linguini- I used linguini, but you can use any pasta shape that you like.
Butter- Be sure to use unsalted butter. I always use Kerry Gold Irish Butter. In a dish with just a few ingredients, using a good quality butter makes a big difference.
Shrimp- I really like Gulf shrimp. I buy them frozen. If you can find these, you should try them.
Oil- Use extra virgin olive oil. I really like the California Olive Ranch brand.
Garlic- I like to buy the peeled garlic cloves and store them in the freezer.
Parmesan Cheese- Use Italian imported Parmesan cheese.
How I Made my Shrimp Pasta
First, I boiled the linguini. You want it to be ready when the shrimp is ready.
Next, I made the shrimp. Cook them until they’re pink and opaque.
Finally, I tossed the shrimp and linguini with the butter and spices.
If you like shrimp, you need to try this spicy and delicious Buttery Shrimp and Parmesan Linguini.
Buttery Shrimp and Parmesan Linguini
Linguini tossed with shrimp, butter, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and Parmesan cheese.
7tbsp.unsalted butter, softened and cut in seven tablespoon pieces
2tbsp.minced garlic
1poundGulf shrimp, peeled and deveined
5tsp.extra virgin olive oil
½tsp.garlic powder
1tsp.red pepper flakes
⅔cupParmesan cheese
Instructions
Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. When it reaches a boil add 9 teaspoons of the salt and the linguini. Cook the linguini until it is just al dente. The time for this should be on the pasta box.
While the linguini cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat with two tablespoons of butter. Add the garlic and shrimp and cook until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
While the pasta and shrimp cooks: In a large bowl, stir together the butter, oil, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and the last teaspoon of the salt.
Add one tablespoon of the pasta water to the bowl and stir until combined. Drain the pasta well and add it to the bowl along with the shrimp and cheese. Toss everything together until the pasta is completely coated in the butter mixture. Serve right away.
Pumpkin and Pancetta Pasta Carbonara is one of our favorite fall dinners. I start this pasta dish by cooking cubes of fresh sugar pumpkin and sage leaves. Then, I make a rich carbonara sauce. Finally, I toss the sauce with the pumpkin, fettuccini, sage, and …
Three Cheese Eggplant Parmesan is one of our favorite meatless meals. I start this dish by making a homemade tomato sauce. Then, I bread and fry thin slices of eggplant. Finally, I layer the fried eggplant with ricotta and mozzarella. We like this dish for …
Summer Tomato Fettuccini Carbonara is one of our favorite summer dinners. I like this fettuccini for several reasons. First of all, I like that I can make this fettuccini is just thirty minutes. I like to make this fettuccini after a busy day when I don’t have a lot of time to cook dinner. Secondly, I like that I can make this fettuccini ahead of time. Sometimes I like to make the fettuccini early in the day and then heat it up in the microwave. And, lastly, we all love the rich and creamy carbonara sauce and fettuccini.
The Equipment I Used
A Large Pan- Use a large skillet to cook the carbonara sauce and toss the fettuccini in it.
A Large Pot- I use a large pot to boil my pasta.
A Double Boiler- If you don’t have this you can place a heat proof bowl over a pot of simmering water.
The Ingredients Needed for Summer Tomato Fettuccini Carbonara
Fettuccini- I like to use the DeCecco egg fettuccini. But you can use any pasta that you like.
Salt- I use three tablespoons of Diamond kosher salt to salt my pasta water. If you use a different brand, use less salt.
Pancetta- Have the deli counter slice this thinly for you, and then chop it up.
Cheese- You’ll need a half cup of Parmesan cheese for the sauce but use extra cheese to top each serving.
White Wine- Use a dry white wine for this dish.
Garlic- I like to buy the peeled cloves of garlic and store them in my freezer.
How I Made my Fettuccini
First, I boiled the pasta water and cooked the fettuccini.
Next, I cooked the pancetta and garlic.
Then, I heated the eggs and cheese over a double boiler.
Finally, I tossed everything together.
If you like rich Italian food, you need to try this decadent and delicious Summer Tomato Fettuccini Carbonara.
Summer Tomato Fettucine Carbonara
Fettuccini tossed with pancetta, a rich cheese and egg sauce, and cherry tomatoes.
Begin by cooking the Fettuccini: Bring a big pot of water to a boil. Add the salt and cook the pasta until al dente, according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.
While the water comes to a boil, and the pasta cooks, make the Carbonara sauce: In a large skillet on low heat, heat up the oil. Add the pancetta and cook it until it's crisp, add the red pepper flakes and garlic and cook another minute. Pour in the wine and stir to deglaze the pan. Simmer until ¾ of the wine has evaporated. Stir in the cream and bring it to a simmer. Remove the skillet from the heat.
In a double boiler, over simmering water, whisk together the egg yolks and cheese, just until it thickens, for about a minute. Take care to not scramble the eggs.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet along with the egg and cheese mixture. Stir and toss quickly until everything is combined. Stir in the cherry tomatoes. Serve with extra cheese.
Farfalle with Pesto and Tomatoes is one of our favorite summer dinners. I start this dish by making a basil and pine nut pesto. Next, I toss the pesto with farfalle pasta, arugula, tomatoes, olives and feta cheese. Finally, I garnish the dish with fresh …
Garlic Scape Pesto Pizza is one of our favorite summer pizzas. I start this pizza by making my garlic scape pesto. Since garlic scapes are only available in early summer, I can only make this pesto this time of year. Next, I make pizza dough …
Chicken Margherita with Balsamic Glaze is one of my family’s favorite dinners. To start this dish, I bread and fry chicken cutlets. Then, I top the chicken with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. Finally, I drizzle everything with balsamic glaze. I love this dish for several reasons. First of all, this whole dish is quick and easy to make. It takes under an hour from start to finish. Secondly, most of the ingredients are things I already have. And, lastly, we really enjoy the leftovers.
The Equipment Needed
A Meat Pounder- You’ll need this to pound your breasts into two thin cutlets. You could also use a rolling pin.
A Cast Iron Skillet- I like to fry my chicken in this kind of skillet.
A Rack over a Baking Pan- This is the best way to drain your chicken.
The Ingredients Needed for Chicken Margherita with Balsamic Glaze
Chicken- Use boneless skinless chicken breasts.
Breadcrumbs- I like 4C brand breadcrumbs. Buy plain, not seasoned crumbs.
Fresh Herbs- The rosemary, oregano, and thyme add great flavor to the breadcrumbs.
Fresh Mozzarella- You can use any fresh mozzarella that you like. I like to use the balls that are one inch big.
Grape Tomatoes- Buy the firmest, freshest tomatoes you can find.
Basil- I just bought a small basil plant to keep in my kitchen. We’ll see how long it lives for.
Balsamic Glaze- This is such a handy product. It adds great flavor and color to this dish.
How I Made my Chicken
First, I pounded my chicken into cutlets. It can be tricky to slice the chicken and pound it evenly. Just take your time – it doesn’t have to be perfect.
Next, I carefully dredged my chicken and fried it. You want to make sure your chicken is cooked through.
Then, I topped the chicken with the mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and balsamic drizzle.
If you like chicken Parmesan, you should definitely try this yummy Chicken Margherita with Balsamic Glaze.
Chicken Margherita with Balsamic Glaze
Fried Chicken Cutlets topped with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil. All drizzled with a balsamic glaze.
2tbsp. eachminced fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano
1cupgrated Parmesan cheese
1cupvegetable oil
1cupone inch mozzarella balls
1cuphalved cherry tomatoes
2tbsp.bottled balsamic glaze
½cupfresh basil leaves
Instructions
Split each breast in half, so that you have four thin cutlets. Using a meat pounder, pound the cutlets even thinner. Prepare a dredging station with three bowls: fill the first bowl with the flour and half of the salt and all the black pepper. Fill the second bowl with the eggs. Fill the third bowl with the crumbs, the rest of the salt , the red pepper flakes, the minced garlic, the herbs, and the Parmesan.
heat a cast iron skillet with a quarter inch of the vegetable oil on medium heat. The oil is ready when a small piece of chicken sizzles immediately. Dip each piece of chicken in each of the the three bowls, starting with the flour and ending with the breadcrumbs. Fry two cutlets at a time until they're golden brown on each side and cooked through. Drain the chicken on a wire rack over a baking pan.
Serve each cutlet drizzled with the balsamic glaze and topped with some mozzarella balls, some tomatoes, and some basil.
Focaccia Topped with Kalamata Olives and Oregano is a yeast bread that is very easy to make. This is one of the first breads I learned to make, and it comes out great every time. I start the bread by mixing the focaccia dough and …