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Giordano’s is where our “native friends” sent us!
Which is fine because our 2 year old is fast asleep….
Thanks for visiting me on my week off of kitchen duty! Don’t worry…I will be heating up the pans as soon as I get home! Love to you, |
Archives for March 2011
Comfy in Chitown (Giordano’s)
"Ministry Monday" Chocolate Chip Cookies for Jesus
Ingrid is a Christian wife and mother of 3 boys. God has placed her and her family in an inner-city home in Minnesota. She seeks to love and serve her neighbors and is outward in her faith by showing them Jesus’s work in action. In January 2011 she traveled to Ethiopia to meet more brothers and sisters in Christ (look at the amazing photos she took during her trip at www.12knotheel.blogspot.com). To see more of Ingrid’s ministry, visit reachinghiskids.blogspot.com!
“Noone can do everything, but everyone can do something…”
~author unknown
Ladies…can you think of a special “grown-up” in your childhood memories that made life more comforting simply by the food they served you? For me, it was my Grandma’s spaghetti, Mom’s apple pie, and Aunt Patti’s Chicken Cordon Bleu! Ingrid is that “special someone” in her neighborhood. Something so small like baking and giving chocolate chip cookies can mean so much to a child (and an adult) I am certain these children will always remember her kindness.
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| Then I sent a text to Chuck. I have known this young man since he was 6. He is now 18 and 6’5″! He LOVES my cookies. For 9 years he lived 3 houses away. Whenever I baked cookies I would turn on the exhaust fan and before too long I would hear a knock at the door and Chuck would be standing there with a BIG grin, “You baking cookies?!” |
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| Here’s a helpful hint: If you buy the 72 oz. bag from Costco or Sam’s Club you definitely save money! |
Please join me prayer over Ingrid, her family, and the families God wants her to touch!
Feasting in Fellowship Friday and Friday’s "Featured Recipe"
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Come visit Courtney and me over at www.womenlivingwell.org where we share the simple yet classic recipe of egg salad. Dress it up on a croissant or serve it casually on fresh bread…either way it tastes great, is quick, easy, and thrifty!
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Simply copy and paste this button to your post. Then, include the link below that takes us directly to your recipe! Thank you for sharing…I love seeing what you have cooking!
The "Beef" on Beef
Love and juicy burgers to you!
Janelle
Meal Ministry Mondays- Suzanne’s Chicken Soup
Suzanne writes….
When I became a Christian over 25 years ago I was drawn right away to the church of food ministry. You see, when I had a newborn and a three year old over 24 years ago, my then husband left and I became a single mom. It was a devastating time for me and although I was lucky to have the support of family, things drastically changed in my life, as I knew it. When I had to return to work, getting sick was not an option, my children getting sick was dreaded, but sick we all got here and there. One time I had a terrible flu, the kind of flu where your bones ache so bad it takes all you’ve got to get out of bed. At the time I was newly saved and I didn’t have a church family, but somehow this lovely older Christian woman, Roberta, got wind of my situation. This sweet lady rang my bell and I almost didn’t answer it, but my older daughter thought it may be her Nana so got pretty loud and excited. Whoever was at the door knew I was home now. When I opened the door, looking like death I am sure, Roberta stood there with a huge picnic basket and a warm smile. Her eyes were the kindest I had ever seen. I was totally shocked, but invited her in and she emptied the wicker basket on my kitchen table. Out came 3 mason jars full of her homemade chicken soup, a loaf of fresh wheat bread, minted teas and honey, little butter cookies and a bundle of daffodils from her garden. Also inside, wrapped in pretty tissue, a devotional and lavender scented candle. I was so astonished at this lady’s generosity I didn’t know what to say. Tears, hot and salty streamed down my face, she hugged me and told me how special I was to Jesus. To say I felt absolutely cherished is an understatement. Roberta prayed with me, warmed up the soup and sat with my little girls while I ate. I have never forgotten her kind face, her gracious and loving spirit.
I have a special spot in my heart for the single mom and the elderly. My friends and church family know I love ministering to these two groups through food. The gift of a meal to a sick mama or ailing elderly lady or gent can mean the world to them. Most times I bring the same type of food basket that Roberta brought to me. There really is nothing more healing or nourishing than a homemade chicken soup, fresh bread and tea and honey. I still include a devotional and either a candle or flowers. Most sick or new mamas and elderly get an evening meal delivered, but not lunch. So my little “blessing baskets” are a luncheon treat. I do include plenty of soup if there are children . I pack the soup in large mason jars so they don’t have to return any plastic containers. Bread and cookies I will wrap in parchment. I am always in search of baskets and linens and find many vintage napkins and such in the thrift store quite cheap. I don’t spend a lot of money yet dress the basket up a bit with a few personal touches such as an embroidered napkin from the thrift store, a candle picked up at the dollar store. Devotionals I find marked down at the local Christian book shop or Barnes & Noble.
I have also taught my girls to minister to friends who are sick through these blessing baskets. We’ll pack their little friend the same food items, but include a CD of Bible stories or perhaps a Veggie Tales movie. Walmart has these very inexpensively. We’ve put a coloring book and crayons and puzzles into the baskets as well, again the dollar store has these.
My family also enjoys the meals I make. Many years ago I was at a home school conference and Susan Bradrick spoke on women ministering outside the home. Her words stuck to me like glue. She told us if we’re preparing a family a delicious ham dinner and our family is getting PB&J, there’s a problem. In ministering to others ,we cannot neglect our first ministry which is to our husband’s and children.
I would like to end with saying how refreshing it is to see young women like Janelle ministering in this way to those the Lord puts in her path. The blessing of a meal is a balm to the soul of someone sick or hurting. A home cooked meal has the power to make a soul feel cherished and completely loved. Many of those we will bring a meal to may feel crushed in spirit, like no one cares, the gift of a meal ministers and blesses a person’s spirit thus healing the body quicker, I believe.
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An example of Suzanne’s gift…chicken noodle soup, tea, breadsticks, brownies, flowers and a devotional..beautiful.
Suzanne’s Chicken Soup |
French Dip Sandwich/ Feasting in Fellowship Friday
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| Trim off fat from roast |
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| Slice red onions |
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| In a medium pan heat oil on medium high and brown roast on both sides. (This will not cook the meat on the inside, just the first 1/2 inch on the outside) |
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| Add one can of french onion soup and 2 cups of beef broth to crock pot |
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| Add roast to crock pot |
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| Saute onions in the same oil and pan used for roast. |
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| Place onions on roast, cover with lid and let simmer in crock pot on high for 6 hours. |
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| Roast will be very tender and flake apart easily when done. |
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| Open hoagie buns, butter and spread swiss cheese on one side. Broil for 5 mins until cheese is melted. |
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| Add roast, onions, and au jus on top. |
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| Slice and serve with a side of au jus! Mmmm… French Dip Sandwiches(Makes 6) 3 lb boneless rump roast Trim fat from roast. Pour oil in a pan and heat on med-high, add roast. Brown roast on both sides. Place soup and broth in the crock pot. Add roast to the crock pot. Saute onions in the pan you used for the roast with the same oil/drippings. Place onions on top of roast and cover crock pot (your roast will not be completely covered). Let simmer on high for 6 hours. Roast will flake apart easily- tear pieces apart to place on buns. Butter buns, add swiss cheese to one side and broil for 5 mins. Place meat on the other side and top with onions and drizzle with au jus. Serve with a side of au jus for dipping. Link up with Feasting in Fellowship Friday! Simply copy and past this button to your post. Then, include the link below that takes us directly to your recipe! Thank you for sharing…I love seeing what you have cooking! ~Love, Janelle |
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Being Fruitful
- In 1858 Mr. Kimball, A humble Sunday school teacher, leads a Boston shoe clerk, Dwight L. Moody (name sound familiar?) to Christ.
- Moody became a great evangelist and led a man named Frederick B. Meyer to Christ.
- Frederick B. Meyer was preaching at a USA college campus and led J. Wilbur Chapman to Christ.
- Chapman who worked for the YMCA, sent a former baseball player, Billy Sunday, to do evangelistic work.
- Billy Sunday held a revival in Charlotte, NC -everyone loved it so much they had more revivals…a preacher named Mordecai Hamm was invited to preach.
- During Mordecai Hamm’s revival a young man named Billy Graham (do you have chills yet?) heard the Gospel and gave his life to the Lord.
- It is said that Billy Graham has preached in person to more people around the world than any other preacher in history. According to his staff (and these are 1993 stats) more than 2.5 million people stepped forward to become saved during his crusades. His audience through every media as of 2008 has been 2.2 billion people.
Janelle,
Katja has a blog written in German- What an amazing and inspiring woman she is! There is a translator on her blog for your convenience!
There were also many wonderful comments on my Facebook Fan Page that spoke out to me…you are welcome to visit and see how God is really working!!!!
Thank you so much for being open to the Lord. I love you, my sweet Sisters in Christ…keep planting those seeds!!!!!!!
Love, Janelle
P.S. I want to remind you that YOUR family you should be your FIRST ministry. All other ministries second to that 🙂 If you are making delicious meals for your family..I give you a huge AMEN for planting seeds in YOUR home!!!
“But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, especially for members of his household, he has denied his faith and is worse than a unbeliver” 1 Timothy 5:8
I am linked up to Living Well Wednesdays- for more inspiration please click on the following button!
"Baked" Fried Chicken
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| Chicken, corn meal, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, salt, egg, cooking spray |
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| Cut fat off of chicken and pound- The reason I pound meat is because I want both sides even in thickness so the chicken cooks the same through the entire piece. We don’t want one side dry and the other undercooked. |
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| Add egg white and salt in a separate dish |
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| In another dish combine corn meal, bread crumbs, and parmesan cheese. |
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| Dip chicken into egg white (you may dredge in flour first if you wish-but this is not included in the recipe) |
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| Then, coat in breadcrumb mixture |
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| Spray foil lined baking sheet and tops of chicken with Pam. Place in a 425 oven for 25 mins. |
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| Bake until lightly golden on top and center of chicken is white, but still juicy. |
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| I made some rolls, loaded baked potatoes, corn on the cobs and a dump cake . |
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| Packed it up and was on my way to drop it off to a special family with one sick Mama! |
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| And came home to relax and have a nice dinner with my family 🙂 “Baked” Fried Chicken (From:The All New Good Housekeeping Cookbook) non stick cooking spray 1/2 cup plain bread crumbs 1/4 cup parmesan cheese 2 Tbsp cornmeal 1 large egg white 1/2 tsp salt 6 pounded chicken breasts (fat removed) Preheat oven to 425 and grease a 15×10 jelly roll pan with cooking spray. In a casserole dish beat egg white with salt. In another dish combine bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and cornmeal. Dip chicken breast into egg white mixture, then coat with crumb mixture. Place chicken on pan and spray with cooking spray. Bake chicken until coating is crisp and golden brown and juices run clear. Appx 25 mins. * You can “be bad” and add a white sauce to this for “chicken (baked) fried chicken”… Kind of negates the “baked” part…but I already did that with the loaded baked potatoes. (pray for me, lol) Mom’s Basic White Sauce Recipe 2 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp flour 1 cup milk salt and pepper On low heat melt butter then add flour for a paste. Add milk salt and pepper -whisk together until thickened (this will take about 5+mins to get desired consistency) |
I am participating in Titus Tuesdays and Tasty Tuesdays- Please check these wonderful sites out for more delicious recipes from fellow bloggers! YUM!
Feasting in Fellowship Friday/Cream Puff Dessert
(P.S.- Ladies, I need some serious grace today- we have had 2 snow days and I didn’t realize it was already Friday! lol…has anyone ever been there? Oh mommy brain go away!)
Join in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” by entering your link below!
Love to you, Janelle
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Classic Green Beans
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This is my classic recipe for green beans. It is tried and true in my family 🙂
When I started this ministry I felt very led to help ladies who didn’t have the blessing of growing up around someone who cooked (a mother, grandmother, etc). I take for granted the many recipes that I have in my head just from observation…I feel so blessed to share them with you.
If some recipes seem obvious, please be patient and know that this is where God wants me to be.
I will and have shared more intermediate recipes, but none of my recipes will ever be “expert”unless the Lord leads me in that direction.
To the sweet mom out there with a toddler hugging her leg while she attempts to cook, to the newlywed wife who is overwhelmed by all there is to learn, and to the wife and mom who has always lacked confidence in the kitchen…I am all about you.
To the ladies, like me, who are COMFY- Spread it, give it, embrace it! I love you too…iron sharpens iron! I pray I can give you new ideas and recipes that you and your families will love. I am honored and humbled to have you as my readers.
Blessings and love to you!
Janelle
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| In a skillet heated on medium- high heat, fry bacon and sliced onions. (here, I cut the bacon in fourths) |
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| When the bacon is finished cooking, add 2 bags of frozen green beans (any cut you like- this is french cut), stir, add salt and pepper and 1 cup of water. Turn down heat to medium-low and let simmer for an hour (this will allow the flavor of the bacon to soak into your beans). The water will evaporate some, make sure there is always water at the bottom to prevent from burning. |
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| A delicious side to your meal!Classic Green Beans(Serves 6-8 sides) 2 bags frozen green beans (any cut) 6 slices of bacon (you may cut or leave in tact) 1 onion, sliced plenty of salt and pepper to taste 1 cup of water Fry bacon on med-high heat in large skillet on both sides-add onion and saute. Add green beans and stir. Lower heat to medium-low. Add salt and pepper. Add water and cover. Let simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally. Water will evaporate some- make sure there is always water in your pan so the green beans do not burn. |
Meal Ministry
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| A dear friend with her new baby…I was blessed to cook lunch for her 🙂 |
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| Rolls Rising |
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| Making broth for chicken n dumplings |
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| A simple Italian tossed salad |
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| Cream Puff Dessert (see womenlivingwell.org for the recipe this Friday!) |
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| Starting to make green beans…. |
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| Packing everything up! |
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| A little “plug in” for the blog..haha. My sweet cousin Jen made these for me for Christmas |
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| A card! |
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| I always, always, always make the same meal I make for others for my own family. They do NOT get my leftovers. God, husband, children, then friends/ministry…Thank you Lord for laying that out for me and giving me grace!
I would love to post YOUR pictures/story of your meal ministry! Tips for YOUR Meal Ministry
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A "Bistro Lunch" at Home- French Onion Soup and Club Roll-Ups
I am very fortunate that my husband’s business is so close to home, but hasn’t always been that way. Years ago, I remember all the long hours he spent at work, commuting, and traveling. If you have been or are in those shoes you probably would agree that the best sound of the day is the noise of the garage door opening! Long hours for a husband equals long hours for a wife!
Because I know it is such a blessing to be just a mile away from my husband, I encourage him to come home so I can make him lunch. It’s a great time to talk about how our day is going, for him to unwind a bit, and for the children to see him.
This is my version of a “bistro lunch” made at home…It is one of my husband’s favorite lunches when he eats out…so I thought it would be a nice surprise!
( I do not do this every day, so please don’t feel pressured! I am still a fan of grilled cheese, bagels, and egg sandwiches! lol)
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| Onion Soup: 2 cans of beef consomme, chicken broth, beef stock, thyme, bay leaves, salt and pepper (and ONIONS and butter! they are sauteing on the stove) |
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| In this recipe we are just going to add the herbs like so, do not take Thyme off of stems. These will just sit in the soup to give it flavor, then we will take them out before serving. |
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| Saute onions in butter until lightly browned and softened, add sugar |
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| Add all other ingredients and stir. Let simmer for about 20 mins, then take out herbs |
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| Ladle soup into a bowl and top with a slice of baguette (or english muffin) |
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| Cover with a slice of swiss cheese |
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| Broil for appx 5 mins until the cheese is lightly browned and bubbling |
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| Sprinkle with parsley and serve.French Onion Soup |
32 oz chicken broth
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| Club Roll-Ups: Spread Mayo on a soft flour tortilla shell |
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| Add cheese |
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| Add ham, turkey and bacon |
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| Add tomatoes and lettuce (and any other toppings you enjoy) |
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| Simply roll up! |
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| Whala! |
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| My children prefer meat and American cheese only. Club Roll-Ups 4 flour tortillas 1 lb oven roasted turkey- thinly sliced 1 lb honey ham- thinly sliced 1 cup smoked provolone (or any cheese you prefer) 1 tomato diced 8 bacon slices cooked and cut up lettuce Mayo Spread mayo over tortilla, layer on turkey, ham, bacon, cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Roll up and cut at an angle. |
Minestrone Soup and Feasting in Fellowship Friday!
| “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” -1 Corinthians 10:31
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| My sweet friend Courtney and I are in her kitchen simmering up some delicious and healthy Minestrone soup! Come join us at www.womenlivingwell.org to find out how to make it! While you are there, make sure to scroll down…her blog posts on the Sally Clarkson Mom Heart Conference have been so inspiring and helpful to me this week! What a blessing Sister’s in Christ are to one another… |
Join in “Feasting in Fellowship Fridays” by entering your link below!
Love to you, Janelle
Shrimp Scampi over Pasta
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| Start with large, fresh, peeled and deveined shrimp (uncooked)- rinse with cold water in colander |
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| Get the rest of your ingredients ready: Butter, lemons, pasta, garlic, parsley, olive oil, salt and pepper |
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| Melt butter and oil over medium heat |
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| Add 4 cloves of minced garlic |
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| In another large pot, boil water with a Tbsp of olive oil- add pasta and cook until tender. |
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| squeeze juice out of 2 lemons into a small dish |
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| After butter, oil and garlic is cooking for about 2 mins add shrimp salt and pepper – cook for about 5 mins until the shrimp turns from pink to white |
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| Turn heat off and add lemon juice and parsley |
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| Combine well |
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| Drain pasta but do not rinse- pour pasta into shrimp mixture and toss |
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| Garnish with more parsley and lemon slice! |
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| This was NOT a pose…he honestly gets THIS excited when he gets his favorite dinner. Bless his heart….my picky eater loves Shrimp Scampi! Shrimp Scampi over Pasta Rinse shrimp in colander. Start to boil water in large pot with 1 tbsp of oil- when boiling add pasta and cook until tender. drain do not rinse. In another large pot melt butter and oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for 2 mins. Add shrimp, salt and pepper- allow to cook for appx 5 mins until shrimp turns from pink to white. Turn off heat add lemon juice and parsley. Toss in pasta- combine well. Enjoy! |
I am participating in Titus Tuesdays and Tasty Tuesdays- Please check these wonderful sites out for more delicious recipes from fellow bloggers! YUM!
