Shrimp Scampi

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound large (16-20 count) shrimp, shelled* and de-veined, tail-on for presentation if you want
• Salt
• 3-4 garlic cloves, slivered, or 1 Tbsp minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2-3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice

METHOD:

1 Heat a sauté pan on high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the olive oil and butter. Once the butter melts, foams up and subsides, add the garlic and red pepper flakes. Sauté for a minute, or until you see the edges of some of the garlic just beginning to brown.

2 As soon as the garlic begins to brown, add the shrimp to the pan. Then add the white wine and stir to combine and coat the shrimp with the butter, oil, and wine. Spread the shrimp out in an even layer in the pan. Increase the heat to the highest setting and let the wine boil vigorously for 2-3 minutes.

3 Turn the shrimp over, or toss them so the cooked sides are mostly facing up, and boil the wine for another minute. Remove from the heat, add the parsley and toss to combine. Add the lemon juice and black pepper.

Serve alone, with crusty bread, over pasta, or over rice

Steak Diane

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup beef broth*

4 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

2 teaspoons tomato paste

4 (6-ounce) center cut beef tenderloin steaks or another cut of your choice

Salt

2 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup finely minced shallots

4 Tbsp cognac or brandy

1/3 cup heavy cream

Freshly ground black pepper

1-2 Tbsp chives, finely chopped

METHOD:

1 Whisk together broth, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and tomato paste; set aside.

2 Sprinkle salt on both sides of the steak and set aside at room temperature for 15-30 minutes.

3 Put butter in a skillet set over medium-high heat. Let this heat for 1-2 minutes. Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel. Turn the heat to high and sear the meat for 1-4 minutes, depending on how thick the steak is. (You may need to cook the meat in batches.) Turn and sear on the other side. Use the finger test to check the doneness of the meat. When the steaks are done, move to a cutting board and tent with foil.

4 While the meat is resting, sauté the shallots 2 minutes on medium-high heat, stirring once or twice. Add the cognac to deglaze the pan. Increase the heat and cook until the cognac is almost evaporated. Stir in the broth mixture and bring to a boil. Cook until thickened, about 2-3 minutes. Stir in the cream and cook for two more minutes.

5 If you want, thinly slice the steak to serve. Otherwise, serve individual steaks. Drizzle warm Diane sauce over the steak and garnish with freshly ground black pepper and chives.

Carrot Cake

Ingredients:

• 6 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup raisins
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup crushed pineapple, drained
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, combine grated carrots and brown sugar. Set aside for 60 minutes, then stir in raisins.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 10 inch cake pans.
3. In a large bowl, beat eggs until light. Gradually beat in the white sugar, oil and vanilla. Stir in the pineapple. Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon, stir into the wet mixture until absorbed. Finally stir in the carrot mixture and the walnuts. Pour evenly into the prepared pans.
4. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until cake tests done with a toothpick. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. When completely cooled, frost with cream cheese frosting.

Baked Teriyaki Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup cider vinegar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 12 skinless chicken thighs

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the cornstarch, cold water, sugar, soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, ginger and ground black pepper. Let simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles.
2. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
3. Place chicken pieces in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Brush chicken with the sauce. Turn pieces over, and brush again.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Turn pieces over, and bake for another 30 minutes, until no longer pink and juices run clear. Brush with sauce every 10 minutes during cooking.

Classic Waffles

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups warm milk
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt, baking powder and sugar; set aside. Preheat waffle iron to desired temperature.
2. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs. Stir in the milk, butter and vanilla. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture; beat until blended.
3. Ladle the batter into a preheated waffle iron. Cook the waffles until golden and crisp. Serve immediately.

Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo

Ingredients:

• 1 pound fettuccini pasta
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 pound cooked shrimp - peeled and deveined
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 6 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• salt to taste

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
2. In a large skillet, saute shrimp and garlic in the butter for about one minute. Pour in half and half; stir. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese in one tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly. After all Parmesan is added, mix in parsley and salt. Stir frequently making sure it does not boil. Sauce will take a while to thicken.
3. When sauce has thickened, combine with cooked pasta noodles; serve hot.

Garlic Chicken Stir Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 2 onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup sliced cabbage
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 cups sugar snap peas
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Directions:

1. Heat peanut oil in a wok or large skillet. When oil begins to smoke, quickly stir in 2 cloves minced garlic, ginger root, green onions and salt. Stir fry until onion becomes translucent, about 2 minutes. Add chicken and stir until opaque, about 3 minutes. Add remaining 4 cloves minced garlic and stir. Add sweet onions, cabbage, bell pepper, peas and 1/2 cup of the broth/water and cover.
2. In a small bowl, mix the remaining 1/2 cup broth/water, soy sauce, sugar and cornstarch. Add sauce mixture to wok/skillet and stir until chicken and vegetables are coated with the thickened sauce. Serve immediately, over hot rice if desired

Grilled Rib Eyes with Mushrooms

INGREDIENTS:

1. 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
3. 2 large shallots, thinly sliced
4. 2 pounds mixed mushrooms, such as cremini, oyster and shiitake, stemmed and thinly sliced
5. 2 to 3 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
6. Pinch of cayenne pepper
7. 2 tablespoons chopped tarragon
8. 2 tablespoons snipped chives
9. 4 rib eye steaks, cut about 3/4 inch thick (about 10 ounces each)
10. Salt and freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter in the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the shallots and mixed mushrooms and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms are browned and their liquid is evaporated, about 8 minutes. Add the fish sauce and cayenne and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the tarragon and chives, cover and keep warm.
2. Preheat a grill pan. Brush the steaks with olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Grill over moderately high heat for 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare meat. Transfer the steaks to plates. Top with the mushrooms and serve.