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Shrimp and Orzo Salad

 

I have to share with you my new favorite summer salad. A wonderful simple and delicious side-dish with shrimp, lots of fresh herbs and gorgeous garden vegetables. One that is both cool and classy at the same time. A truly magical combination of exquisite flavors that is sure to bring smiles to everyone at your table. Let this shrimp salad rock your next BBQ!

Bon Appétit!

You can see the recipe (below) is super easy. I really do love the addition of Major Grey Chutney. A little spicy and sweet (jut like me!) Oh, I’ve listed several optional ingredients for you. This is your salad now, have fun and make it any way you want…

 

Shrimp and Orzo Salad

(recipe courtesy James Fielder)

 

Ingredients:

1 16 oz box of orzo (rice-shaped pasta)

1 cucumber, diced into ¼ -inch-thick pieces

8-12 oz. of cooked salad shrimp

1/2 cup Major Grey Chutney

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup chopped fresh mint

Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, and zest

1 tablespoon olive oil

5 oz. of feta cheese, crumbled (optional)

1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

1 bunch green onions, chopped (optional)

1 pint fresh peas (optional)

 

Method:

*Note: We buy 2-3 (4 oz.) bags of inexpensive frozen (wild-caught) salad shrimp.

Cook orzo in large pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain. Rinse with cold water to cool; drain well. Transfer to large bowl. Add everything listed above that you like. Toss well and refrigerate.

Enjoy!

 

 

 

Fresh Basil Pesto Recipe

Here’s a super-easy recipe for fresh delicious homemade basil pesto. Even if you’ve never ever made pesto before. Even if you’re not Italian. You won’t even need a food processor. We’re going to make handmade gourmet pesto just like an Italian Grandmother. So, go gather-up these fresh ingredients: gorgeous green basil, pine nuts, parmesan cheese and garlic. I hope you’re as thrilled with this hand-crafted pesto as I am. I LOVE it!

Grilled Corn with Lime and Basil

Cooking and dining outside has to be one of my favorite things to do. And nothing says summer like fresh sweet corn-on-the-cob. Next time you’re grilling, toss a few ears (of corn) on the barby to really fire-up the flavors. Roll it around for 10 minutes or so or until it’s charred in several places (giving it gorgeous grill marks!) Then drizzle generously with this wonderful fragrant and tangy lime basil butter. Scrumptious!

For rave reviews, serve-up this flavorful gourmet grilled corn to your family and friends next weekend. BBQ season is finally here!

Bon Appétit!


These photos were taken on my friend James’s riverside deck. The first official BBQ of the season, it was quite the party. He’s a great cook and has fabulous taste. Just look at that Laura Ashley table-cloth! I’ll post the shrimp orzo salad and rhubarb crisp recipe asap..

PS. If you like this recipe, you can subscribe to receive new free recipes and give-aways via email.

Grilled Corn with Lime and Basil

 

Ingredients:

  • 6 Ears corn, husked
  • 3-4 Tablespoons finely chopped fresh basil leaves.
  • 2 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 Tablespoons butter
  • ½ tsp. finely grated lime zest
  • 1 Tb. fresh lime juice
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • ⅛ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

Instructions:

Preheat the grill to medium-high. Oil the grill’s surface.

  1. In a small bowl, combine the basil, olive oil, melted butter, lime juice, lime zest, salt and pepper.
  2. Grill the corn until it is slightly softened and charred in spots, about 10 minutes, turning several times. Watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn.
  3. Place the grilled corn on a large platter, drizzle or brush the lime/basil butter all over the corn and roll the corn around to coat evenly.

 

Enjoy!

Per serving: 110 calories, 17g carbohydrates, 3g protein, 4.5g fat (0.5g saturated), 0mg cholesterol, 2g fiber, 150mg sodium.

Roasted Vegetables Italian Style

A favorite dish in my house… A delicious, healthy, and simple way to prepare roasted vegetables, Tuscan style. Everyone LOVES Italian food! The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, olive oil and fish and is said to promote a long life….. So with this in mind, I gather a variety of the following:

Ingredients: 6 cloves of garlic, mushrooms, onions (or shalots), olives, fennel bulb (yum!) white potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchini, carrots, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, red bell peppers, eggplant, cherry or Roma tomatoes, green beans, winter squash, any fresh herbs: basil, rosemary, thyme, flat leaf parsley add some before cooking and after (we love basil) and extra virgin olive oil. Use the veggies that you love! Serve with my Lemon & Garlic Roasted Chicken. Of course, locally grown organic is best but frozen vegetables will work if that’s what you have. We can even do roasted Asian style veggies with sesame oil but that’s a different story for another day.

Remember use really good extra-virgin olive oil. This simple recipe changes with the seasons, with your main course and the individual tastes of the people. The delicious possibilities are endless…… Directions: Pre-heat oven to 400*F. 1. Peel and chop your large vegetables into bite-size pieces using a very sharp 10″ knife. 2. Place in a large roasting pan. 3. Sprinkle generously with olive oil to coat evenly (about 1/2 cup). Shake the pan :) 4. Crush garlic gloves and place around, add plenty of herbs, sea salt and cracked pepper. 5. Cook for 20-30 min. stirring 2-3 times, you’ll know when it’s ready…

*Variations: Add chicken pieces (breast, legs, thighs) to the roasting pan with the veggies. Add fish or seafood (I love Alaskan salmon) to the roasting pan during the last 15 minutes. Want soup or sauce??? Just de-glaze the pan with a cup of red or white wine or 1/2 c. balsamic vinegar (for sauce) and add 3-4 cups of chicken stock (for soup). Oh, so simple!!! ENJOY! PS. Please feel free to add your comments and suggestions below. I’m listening, really!