Shrimp and Vegetable Paella

This is an old recipe for us, pre-dating "us" but I honestly don't know where I found it. I love paella in its many versions and this one does it for me - lots of flavor from the garlic, wine, and carrot (of all things, that carrot stands out here) and most importantly the marinated artichoke hearts.

There are many times when paella is great, especially as a spring or early fall dish - but today was 10 F with crazy gusts, a driveway that filled with snow, and nothing but low gray clouds. Paella worked today too.

Ingredients:

• 6 scallions, chopped
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp of fresh parsley - or 1 1/2 tsp of dried parsley
• 1 cup of rice
• 1 1/2 cup of water (or better broth)
• 1/2 cup of white wine (or dry sherry)
• 1 lb of medium shrimp, thawed and shelled
• 4 carrots, sliced into 1/4 inch rings
• 1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, each quarter sliced into 3s

Steps:

1. Saute the scallions, pepper and garlic in some olive oil for 5 minutes.
2. Add the parsley and rice, saute for 1 minute and stir often to coat the rice.
3. Add the broth, wine, shrimp and carrots and simmer 20 minutes, covered.
4. Finally, add the artichoke hearts (plus all juices from the jar) and stir well.
5. Serve hot to 4 hungry people.

Smoked Salmon Rollups

One of my favorite appetizers - it involves salmon lox, what's not to love?! Good water crackers are the best thing to put these on. Or just pop them in your mouth :D

The real trick is to slice it well - we freeze it for 30 minutes before slicing. Sometimes you can do this before the "chill" time. And then use a sharp knife (we use a serrated tomato knife) and then rinse it in water between every other slice. Much easier then.

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 garlic clove, smashed
• 1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon spanish paprika, dried
• 1/4 teaspoon lemongrass and chili spice mix (Hot, more if you wish)
• 1 tablespoon dill, finely chopped
• 8 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon

Steps

1. In a stand mixer, add cream cheese, lemon pepper, garlic, and dill.
2. Process until combined and smooth.
3. Lay out slices of salmon on a piece of plastic wrap, slightly overlapping edges.
4. Spoon cream cheese mixture onto salmon evenly.
5. Roll the salmon into a long and wrap tightly.
6. Chill for at least 2 hours. I like to put it in the freezer for the last 30 minutes (makes it easier to slice).
7. Cut roll into 1/4 inch slices, serve on crackers or pieces of bagel.

Makes 24 slices.

Baked Shrimp Scampi

We were desperate for some dinner during the fencing project - Carol found shrimp and salmon, both frozen, in the freezer. We have a couple of quick shrimp dishes (Peanut Shrimp and a "Cajun" shrimp recipe from Cooking Light that I should post some day soon). But we have an enormous 3 quart container of harvested garlic (gotta love the "Music" variety). So Shrimp Scampi came to mind quick.

We found this recipe quickly on the web - it is from a Barefoot Contessa recipe, slightly modded for a simpler kitchen. We have fresh rosemary in the house (potted plants rock) and the parsley is still holding on outside (after several nights of 22 F lows). And this is born - and it is good. We have had this one twice this week. Yum.

Ingredients

• 1 lb raw shrimp
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 Tbsp dry white wine or sherry
• salt and pepper
• 2/3 stick of butter, room temperature
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup onion, minced
• 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, minced
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
• 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1 egg yolk
• 1/3 cup panko

Preheat oven to 425º.

1. Peel the shrimp and then put them in a bowl.
2. Add olive oil, wine or sherry, and pepper. Let sit at room temperature while mixing the rest.
3. In the stand mixer, add the butter, garlic, onions, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes, lemon juice, egg yolk, and panko. Mix this "topping" at medium speed until well combined.
4. Place the shrimp in a single layer in a glass pie pan.
5. Pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp and then sprinkle the topping over the shrimp.
6. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes (the shrimp will be thoroughly cooked and pink).
7. Serve over pasta (spaghetti or shells) or rice.

Makes 4 servings.

Peanut Grilled Shrimp

This is one of our favorite new recipes - it makes a slimmed down version of our Pad Thai recipe. Pad Thai is more a principle than a recipe, but ours relied on the peanut sauce (lots of lime juice, ketchup, peanut butter and spice).

This recipe allows you to make a simple grilled (or broiled) shrimp then top dress it with some peanut sauce. We like to have it with steamed broccoli and then over some rice noodles. Toss the peanut sauce over the shrimp, brocc and noodles... very nice, simple, and fast (15 minutes from start to finish).

Ingredients:

• 1 lb of shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 Tbs of lime juice
• 2 Tbs of sesame oil
• 1/4 cup of peanut butter (natural if you can get it)
• 1/4 cup of orange juice
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tsp of hot sauce
• 3 Tbs of ketchup (or to taste)

Steps:

1. Mix the lime juice and sesame oil together.
2. Marinate the shrimp with the juice/oil for 2-8 hrs in the fridge.
3. Mount the shrimp on skewers.
4. Grill the shrimp, 2 minutes per side. Or... turn on the broiler for 5 minutes. Place the skewers over a 9x13 pan on the top shelf of the oven. Broil 2-3 minutes per side.
5. In a small pan, heat up the peanut butter, orange juice, garlic, ketchup and hot sauce. Mix well until it has the consistency of a sauce.
6. Take the shrimp off the skewers and drizzle the peanut sauce over it.