Nov 18, 2020 | Main Course, Recipes, Seafood
Thanksgiving is next week, so in preparation for the holiday I’m going to share my Scampi Fra Diavolo with Spaghetti recipe. What?? Have I gone mad? Pasta for Thanksgiving?
No, I haven’t gone mad and no I’m not suggesting you serve pasta for your Thanksgiving meal, although you absolutely can if you want to! It’s just that with we all know that our kitchens are super busy between now and then (pies, sides dishes, and other things), and that we’ll be eating turkey for days (leftovers!). So in the days leading to the great feast I like to make easy meals and avoid making anything with poultry. And one of the easiest things to prepare is pasta, not only is it filling it can feed a crowd! And what can be farther from roast turkey than a spicy shrimp pasta dish?
So what exactly is Scampi Fra Diavolo? Well that depends on the country you’re in and the language you speak. In America we often think of Scampi as a shrimp dish, in Italy Scampi usually refers to langoustine which is a type of edible lobster that is found in the Mediterranean and the Northeast Atlantic. (Shrimp in Italian is gamberetti). As for the Fra Diavolo it literally means Brother Devil, in culinary terms it’s usually a red tomato based sauce that’s seasoned with spicy peppers and used with pasta and seafood.
So let’s keep it simple and say that Scampi Fra Diavolo is Shrimp in Spicy Tomato Sauce. That works right? Of course you can make this dish with prawns, lobster, or even squid. And you can use any type of pasta you prefer, spaghetti, fettucini, penne, or whatever. But whatever shellfish and pasta you use this dish is delicious!
To make it easier I use my basic homemade Marinara Sauce as the base. I always keep jars of it on hand to use whenever I need it. Click here for my Basic Marinara Sauce recipe, it’s really delicious! If you have a preferred Marinara Sauce recipe you can use that too and in a pinch, I do mean in a big pinch, you can use a store bought pasta sauce.
This dish is really easy to make and can be done in less than a half an hour. Perfect when you’re trying to get dinner at on the table while prepping for a big Thanksgiving meal!
Scampi Fra Diavolo
Ingredients:
1 Lb. Large Shrimp (13-15 count) – Peeled with tail on, de-veined
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
1 Tsp. Garlic Powder
2 Tbs. Crushed Red Pepper (you can adjust this to your taste)
2 Tsp. Salt
1 Tbs. Garlic, minced
2 Cups Marinara Sauce
4 Cups cooked pasta
1 Cup reserved pasta water
1 Tbs. Fresh Parsley, chopped
Directions:
Cook Pasta about 1 minute less than the cooking time on the box or if you’re using fresh pasta cook just before it gets to the Al Dente stage. You want your pasta mostly cooked but firm.
Drain pasta and reserve 1 cup of the water you used to cook it.
As the pasta cooks heat 1 Tbs. Olive Oil in a heavy skillet.
Add Shrimp, garlic powder, and 1 Tbs. Crushed red pepper. Cook until shrimp turns pink.
Remove shrimp from pan and set aside.
Add remaining Olive Oil to skillet and saute fresh minced garlic until it starts to turn brown.
Add remaining crushed red pepper and Marinara Sauce.
Simmer for about 5 Minutes.
Stir in Pasta Water and combine well.
Add back shrimp and stir until shrimp is heated.
Add pasta and toss with shrimp and sauce until heated thru.
Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Served with a green salad and some garlic bread this dish is deliciously filling!
Buon Appetito!
Scampi Fra Diavolo with Spaghetti
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Scampi Fra Diavolo with Spaghetti
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Jun 19, 2020 | Main Course, Recipes, Seafood
In recent years we’ve been constant visitors to Italy. We’ve always loved the country and have been vacationing there at least once a year, but since my daughter and her family have taken up residence in Vicenza, a small town in Northern Italy, we’ve been going more often. And when we do go we spend lots of time sampling the local cuisine in and around town, it’s a different experience when you dine where the locals dine and by pass the touristy restaurants that serve substandard fare at very high prices.
One of our favorite local restaurants in town is called Regina’s. Its a tiny place with seating for less than 20 people. But the service if friendly and the food delicious! My favorite dish is Spaghetti ai Frutti de Mare or Seafood Spaghetti. I know when you think spaghetti you think red sauce and meatballs. That’s good too, but if you’re hungry for Seafood or just want something a bit more sophisticated then this dish is just what you need.
Spaghetti ai Frutti de Mare is a pasta dish made with all types of seafood including clams, squid, shrimp, and muscles. It can have a tomato based sauce like Arrabiata or a white sauce like a pesto or Alfredo.
I personally love a lighter sauce made with white wine, lemon juice, and butter. That’s the recipe I’ll share today. I normally make it with shrimp, clams, mussels, and lobster if I can find some. You can use whatever seafood you prefer. It’s good with pretty much any type of seafood.
Here’s the recipe!
This article contains affiliate links.
Ingredients:
1 Lb. Clams
1 Lb. Mussels
1 Lb. Shrimp – peeled and deveined but leave tail on
2-3 Small Lobster Tails – cut into 1 1/5″ pieces with shell on
1 Tbs. Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Butter
2-3 Cloves Garlic thinly sliced
1 Tsp. Italian Seasoning
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 Cup White Wine
2 Cups Chicken Broth
1/2 Cup Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
1/4 Cup Sundried Tomatoes
1 Lb. Cooked Spaghetti
Shredded Parmesan Cheese
Directions:
In a large pan melt butter in olive oil.
Saute garlic in butter mixture until it starts to cook, be careful not to burn.
Add seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Add wine and chicken stock.
Add clams and mussels. Cook until shells open.
Add lobster pieces and cook until shell starts to turn red and meat starts to turn white.
Add shrimp. Cook until shrimp turns pink and lobster is fully cooked.
Lower heat and stir in lemon juice and sundried tomatoes.
Remove from heat and serve over cooked pasta. Garnish with shredded cheese.
Spaghetti ai Frutti de Mare - Seafood Spaghetti
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Spaghetti ai Frutti de Mare - Seafood Spaghetti
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Jun 5, 2020 | Beef, Main Course, Recipes
Are you mostly at home this summer with a bunch of kids who always seem to be hungry? Are you looking for something different to make for lunch or dinner? Something filling, tasty, and easy to make? Maybe even something you can make ahead and heat up when ready to serve? I think this Italian Beef Drip Sandwich may be just the thing to keep everyone full and happy!
Italian Beef Drip Sandwiches are pretty much like French Dip Sandwiches. Mainly they’re beef sandwiches that you dip in beef broth. Now I love a Roast Beef French Dip Sandwich, specially one with onions and cheese, but sometimes you need a bit of spice and these Italian Beef Drip Sandwiches do just that! They add a bit of spice or more than a bit if you like it hotter, to your meal.
They’re easy to make and can even be made a head of time and stored in the fridge until you need them. I usually keep some on hand in the freezer during the summer, you never know when you need to make yummy sandwiches. You can make the beef in your Crockpot, on your stove, or in your Instant Pot (if making in an instant pot adjust the liquids so you will have dipping broth); the idea is to cook the meat until it’s falling apart and easily shredded.
Once you have the meat filling, and the broth which is from slow cooking the meat, all you need is some nice crusty bread (I prefer hoagie rolls) and provolone cheese. You slap them together, toast until the cheese melts, and serve with hot broth for dipping. I love to serve them with my homemade potato chips! It’s hearty enough to make a filling dinner for the whole family!
Ingredients:
1 Chuck Roast about 3 lbs. or more if you want to freeze some for later
1 Tbl. Salt
1/2 Tbl. Ground Black Pepper
2 Tbl. Italian Seasoning
2 Tbl. Minced Garlic
1/2 Jar of Whole Peperoncini
1/2 Jar of Roasted Red Peppers
1/2 Jar of Pimiento Peppers
2 Tbs. Sliced Jalapeno Peppers – adjust this to taste
1 Box Beef Broth – use more if making in an instant pot
Provolone Cheese Slices
Crusty Bread Rolls
Directions:
Place all ingredients except bread and cheese into your Crockpot, stock pot, or Instant Pot.
If using Crockpot cook on low heat for 8 hours. If using Instant Pot cook on stew setting. If cooking on the stove top simmer it in a covered pot until the meat is falling apart, this should take at least 4-5 hours.
Remove cooked beef from pot and shred using two forks. If using right away then following steps to make sandwich. If storing for later use place in sealed container with peppers and liquid from the pot and refrigerate up to 2 days or freeze.
To make sandwiches cut bread in half and lightly toast in the oven.
Fill with bread with shredded meat and peppers, top with cheese.
Bake in 350 degree oven until cheese melts and the edges of the bread are toasted a bit more.
Serve with a small bowl of the hot broth.
To make later just reheat the meat, peppers, and broth in the microwave oven before putting sandwich together.
Instant Pot Italian Drip Sandwhiches
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Instant Pot Italian Drip Sandwhiches
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May 28, 2020 | Main Course, Poultry, Recipes
Looking for something easy and delicious to make for dinner tonight? How about this one skillet Chicken and Spinach in Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce?
It’s very simple to make using ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. It has meat, veggies, and dairy and when served with a whole wheat pasta your grains are covered too!
I use fresh Basil leaves from my Kitchen Garden and I use chicken thighs because I believe the thighs tend to be juicier, but if you want less fat then use chicken breasts, but pound them into thin pieces so they will cook faster and not get dry. I can whip this up in less than a half hour and my family loves it.
Chicken & Spinach in Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce
Ingredients:
2 Lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
Salt & Pepper
1 Cup Tomato Sauce
1 Tbs. Fresh Garlic, minced
1/2 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
1 Cup Fresh Spinach Leaves
5-6 Fresh Sweet Basil Leaves (try to use Sweet Basil, Thai Basil has a stronger flavor)
Fresh Grated Parmesan Cheese for Topping
Pasta or your preferred starch
Directions:
Pat chicken dry with paper towel and sprinkle both sides with salt & pepper
Heat Olive Oil in a large skillet
When oil is hot add chicken and cook until both sides are seared about 5 minutes per side
Remove chicken to a plate and set aside
In your now empty skillet add tomato sauce, garlic, and cream
Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low to simmer sauce
Stir in Spinach and cook until wilted
Stir in Basil leaves
Return chicken to skillet and raise heat to medium
Cook chicken in the sauce until it is fully cooked, make sure there is no more pink in the thickest part of the thigh
Remove from heat and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese. Serve with a side of pasta or your starch of choice.
I goes great with Poor Man’s Pasta – that’s a simple dish of spaghetti or any type of pasta that’s tossed in butter and garlic. Sprinkled with parmesan it’s very tasty!
Chicken & Spinach in Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce
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Chicken & Spinach in Creamy Tomato Basil Sauce
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