October 14, 2014

Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp scampi can be easy to make at home.
The best shrimp to start with is raw de-veined, de-shelled
medium sized shrimp.  I don't really prefer the tiger or the
super jumbo shrimp but the little salad size is often too small
also and therefore I like the medium sized ones.


It's optional to leave the tail of the shell on which is only for appearance
purposes.  The easiest way is to lay the raw shrimp in a circle or a line
or whichever way you'd like in a small oven safe dish.
You can have individual bowls or ramekins for each person or
one medium sized one for everyone to share.

Once the shrimp is ready, (about 1/2 pound)
- drizzle some olive oil over the shrimp  (about 1 tablespoon)
- add 2-3 garlic cloves finely chopped or sprinkle garlic powder
- drizzle 2 tablespoons of Italian salad dressing (any brand)
- 1 inch of butter (I like to use the butter that's made from olive oil)
- 1/2 tablespoon of fresh parsley finely chopped
  (you can sprinkle dry Italian seasonings instead of
  fresh parsley if you wish)
- sprinkle some Old Bay seasoning (about 2 teaspoons)- enough to
  cover the shrimp but keep in mind- you are not completely coating it
- sprinkle some grated Parmesan cheese and add the juice of half a lemon

Place your ramekin or oven safe dish into the oven on 325-350 degrees
for about 17-20 minutes or until your shrimp is pink and not
that gray-ish color it started with when it is raw.

It's really good to have some crusty, toasted bread with these
scrumptious shrimp as well.



Zestfully Let's Cultivate Food

October 8, 2014

Apple Cider Doughnuts - minis

Hello FALL!

This afternoon, I wanted to share some
mini Apple Cider Donuts.
Do you have too many apples from apple-picking and
you're not sure what to do with them or maybe you
just want to make something for the Autumn season-
whatever the reason...



The ingredients for these little, teeny donuts are:
- 2 cups of all purpose flour
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 2 teaspoons of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 cup of apple cider 
  (I added 3 heaping tablespoons of apple sauce also for even more apple)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 eggs beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon of butter - melted

Mix all of your dry ingredients in one bowl and then all of your
liquid ingredients in another separate bowl and once everything is mixed
well- then mix the 2 (dry and liquid bowls together)

Use a mini doughnut pan (it looks almost like a mini muffin pan with a
raised center for the doughnut hole. You can make these as little muffins
instead if you wish.  Bake at 325 degrees for about 10 minutes
on your pan being 3/4 full. If you are using a mini doughnut pan---
make sure you are not filling higher than the center for if you do...
you will just get a mini irregular shaped ball rather than a hole in
the center for your mini doughnut.

If you want to put a glaze on them... you can melt 3 tablespoons of butter
and 3 tablespoons of sugar and melt them in a saute pan until
the sugar is dissolved and drizzle on top as soon as they come out
of the oven.  I decided to leave the extra sweetness out because
they are just as good without the glaze!


Zestfully Let's Cultivate Food



October 2, 2014

Pumpkin Bread

Today, I'm embracing Thursday with some Pumpkin bread.
I have a half time show in Washington DC at the Kennedy Center
that I'm participating in this weekend...  well,
performing the half time show, actually...
that's another story... OR... if you'd like to know more...
you can check out www.phillybumpball.com

I also have a cousin that lives in the DC area and she will
be receiving some baked goods.  shhhh don't tell her though.


Of course, I had to make more than one loaf...   I HAD to gobble up, 
I mean,  taste test some to make sure it would be good enough to gift.   
It past the test!

The recipe is as follows:
4 egg yolks
1 cup oil
2/3 cup water
1 can of pumpkin puree (I used 15oz)
1.5 teas salt
1 teas cinnamon
1 teas nutmeg
2 teas baking soda
3.5 cups flour (I used all purpose)

Place your pan in the center of the oven on 350 degrees 
and bake for 35-40 minutes.  The best way to tell when they're 
done is to take a toothpick and see if the toothpick comes out clean.  
After 30-35 minutes- I usually turn the oven off and leave the bread 
in the oven for the last 10 minutes to cook off/finish off.

I'm pretty sure my cousin is going to be super delighted!


Zestfully Let's Cultivate Food