Monday, June 26, 2017

Lemon Parmesan Shrimp Pasta

Shrimp? Lemon?  Summer?
This easy recipe could be a staple in your menus over the summer.

LEMON GARLIC PARMESAN SHRIMP PASTA

INGREDIENTS:
2 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined, uncooked
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 Tablespoons garlic, minced
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
3 Tablespoons  lemon juice
Parsley, for garnish
8oz  bowtie pasta
DIRECTIONS:
Heat the oil in a large skillet.  Add the garlic and shrimp and saute, until the shrimp has turned pink and is cooked throughout, approximately 3-4 minutes. Remove the shrimp to a small bowl, and set aside.
Add milk to the skillet and whisk occasionally, bringing to a simmer. Whisk in cornstarch. Stir in lemon juice. Next, Stir in the Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper.  Simmer until sauce thickens slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add in the pasta and shrimp, stirring to coat.
Garlic scapes are in season. So instead of the 2 tablespoons minced garlic, I chopped 3 scapes and sauteed them.  The oil we use is garlic infused olive oil. I'm not a fan of too much garlic. The scapes which are much milder than the garlic cloves and the mild garlic infused oil was the perfect match for this recipe.
It's hard to find fresh shrimp. Frozen works just as well. Don't  saute as much as you would because it is already cooked.  
 I substituted skim milk instead of the whole milk.  


Compliment with a vegetable or salad and you have a satisfying summer meal. 


DELISH! 

What is a favorite summer meal you like to prepare for your family? 

Keep cool and enjoy, 



Sunday, June 25, 2017

Botanical Gardens in Norfolk, VA April Break 2017

There is just something about nature and flowers. The young are not as appreciative as us older folks, but someday they'll come to enjoy these natural beauties just as we do.
This past April we decided to go to VA to Assateague Island.  At the end of our stay, we slipped in a visit to the Norfolk, VA  Botanical Gardens while waiting to drop off my daughter at the airport. The spring plants and flowers were just beautiful.
I can't remember all the beauties I saw, but for those I did, I'll put the names in the picture captions.
Yellow Rose Perfection. 

Yellow Roses - My Mom's favorite.
 Giving yellow roses can tell someone the joy they bring you and the friendship you share.

Calla Lilly
I'm trying to grow these this summer. 



A type of Wysteria. 

Bamboo




Beautiful Azaleas




Roses












Orchids in the hot house. 
They were just beautiful. 



Phaleonopsis Orchid 




One of my fav's.











Something weird.  Not at all sure what it is. 

Recognize these as past Easter corsages?



Yellow and green tulips. What? GMO? 








Warm weather, beautiful flowers, chance to see friends and family.
It was a good vacation.

Hope you had a chance to unwind and enjoy.