Friday, November 20, 2009

When You Are In A Hurry

If you are like me, after a gym work-out, or a horizontal work-out, you need something quick and easy to put in your mouth (pause)....like stat. Atleast that’s how I felt this week, when I got home from work. I have a cute little tasty surprise. It’s like a lil mini gourmet pizza. You can uses Naan or flat pita bread. This week I used garlic rosemary Naan found in the bread section of Safeway.

 
You can pretty much top it with anything, and this is seriously better than any two minute session you’ll ever experience really tasty. Here’s what I used:

  •  Naan or a flat Pita Bread
  • Bruchetta topping or a sun dried tomato topping
  • Cheese (your favorite, I used an Asiago blend)
  • Spinach
  • Portobello Mushrooms
  • Olives
  • Onions
  • Salt & pepper to taste (optional)

 
Top your mini pizza anyway you like, cook in oven on 400 for 8 to 10 minutes.




 

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Cause I need To Eat Like STAT!


Have you ever found yourself needing something quick and tasty, but not greasy, and preferably not from a fast food joint? So you find that I don’t eat much meat (pause) and that’s because I love seafood (no pun intended at all). I have a quick recipe for a basic scallop that you can use for almost any dish. Put it in pasta, rice, on top of spinach or pair with a veggie or starch. it only takes about 6 minutes and it’s really tasty. I do this dish when I need something quick and to the point.

What You Need:

  • Fresh or frozen bay scallops
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Olive Oil
  • Red Pepper flakes (optional, it’s also good without)

In a hot skillet with about a teaspoon of olive oil, carefully add rinsed, thawed scallops. Sprinkle salt, pepper & spices and cook for about 5 minutes. Be sure to stir & flip scallops as they cook, to be sure that they are done.

Pair with a green salad & a white wine. I like Piesporter. Well I like just about any wine.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Sexy Tasty Dinner For Two


So I'm not a self proclaimed foodie or anything, but I do know how to boil water. Maybe add a little salt and wah-la! There you have it, a semi-gourmet meal!!! I must admit, I do enjoy cooking, when time permits, so here's an easy one, that anyone can do! I call it, good & tasty! Or Plantain, Shrimp, Spinach Party. Whatever. Enjoy.



What you need:



  • 3 C. Fresh baby spinach
  • 1 Ripe plantain
  • 6oz Uncooked shrimp
  • 1 jalapeno
  • 3 Roma tomatoes diced
  • 2 Garlic cloves chopped
  • 1/4 Red onion chopped
  • 1 can of fire diced tomatoes
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • olive oil
  • 2-3 skillets

So you can make this sexy little gem, with or without sauce. The sauce I make, can be used for a lot of other dishes. To make the sauce, take your chopped onion, garlic, jalapeno and saute in a little olive oil. Add your fresh chopped tomatoes and salt and pepper. Let it cook for a few minutes on medium heat. Add the can of tomatoes. Stir & season to taste. For a spicier sauce, add red pepper flakes. Let simmer while you prepare the other parts of the meal.


Pour about a tablespoon or two of olive oil in a skillet. Let it get pretty hot. Carefully add sliced plantain to the skillet. Fry for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Take the plantain out, and place on paper towel lined plates. You can set them in a warmer.

In a skillet, saute 3 cups of fresh baby spinach. You can optionally saute with onions & garlic. It will take about 4 to 5 minutes. Use a little bit of olive oil and a little bit of water, about a tablespoon. Saute on high until it cooks down.

While your Spinach is cooking, quickly saute lightly salted shrimp. Side note: I usually purchase frozen raw, easy peel shrimp. For extra flavor, I may toss in garlic powder, or squeeze a bit of lemon juice over it. If you are using raw shrimp, it taste so much better & only takes a few minutes to cook. Make sure the shrimp tail is pink, and the shrimp is like white & pink. You shouldn't see any colors of black or brown, unless you burned them!!! And well in that case, maybe you should just go sit in the corner.

After your shrimp is done, you are now ready to plate the shrimp, spinach & plantain!!!

Top with the sauce and enjoy! Oh, don't forget the drink. Everyone knows I'm a vodka head, but this will taste great with white wine. I prefer Riesling. Actually, I was probably drinking and cooking at the same time, so let me know how yours turns out!!!