Pasta – Dining With Mimi

Shrimp Recipe and Rich Sauce

Mimi — Wed, 08 Mar 2017 15:29:27 +0000

Fresh Gulf Shrimp

Fresh Gulf shrimp make amazing shrimp recipes. Shrimp is a great start to a delicious appetizer recipe or meal. I am fortunate to live near the Gulf Coast and fresh seafood is a special treat. The shrimp, crabs, craw-fish, oysters and the wide range of fish is a bonus when cooking and developing recipes.

It is a luxury that many may afford whether they buy or catch their own seafood. On the coast, we have multiple markets that offer the Gulf’s finest fish and shrimp for your dining pleasure. You may still enjoy our fresh seafood even if you live far away from the coast.

Most markets will ship seafood out-of-state fresh or frozen directly to your door. No one should have to long for fresh quality shrimp or seafood, ever. Alabama Gulf Seafood has a great web site that details how to find, catch, cook and see Alabama seafood.

Fishing buddies for life Photo Credit Alton Powell

On occasion, I have had the pleasure of fishing in Gulf waters off shore and loved it. Being a guest on a charter boat is always exciting. There is nothing like a fresh catch whipped into a great recipe on board. A fish that was recently swimming turned into a ceviche recipe before your eyes is “as good as it gets”. Add this to your list, it will get no fresher than that.

There is nothing like dragging in a big ‘ole fish. I am not a fan of the entire bait process but it is hard to fish without bait. The next time you’re in the area, charter a boat and experience the joy. You not be disappointed, unless you’re a “lilly-livered-land-lubber”.

If your lucky enough to own a boat then you know what it is like to wander on the Gulf waters, as you please. Perhaps it helps to have “coördinates of fishing honey holes” or a great charter captain so that you always find and catch fish.

The Gulf is a great big place and fish know where to hide. Finding and catching fish is part of the challenge. Sometimes it is hard to find a “mess of fish”. Find a local market and place your order. Fish and shrimp are plentiful and easy to manage for transport or preserving to cook your favorite fish and shrimp recipes.

Venice Marina

Forrest Gump on Shrimp Recipes

Who could say it better than Gump? Forrest Gump said, ” Shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it. Dey’s uh shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep-fried, stir fried, There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. ”

Shout out to Alexa for Light Jazz, it has been a long day and I need to start my shrimp recipe in a rich sauce.

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Braised Beef Roast Served on a Bed of Egg Noodles with Smoky Gravy

Mimi — Wed, 19 Oct 2016 03:17:48 +0000

Last week, my husband inadvertently shared his “virus” with me. I say inadvertently because I know that he didn’t do it on purpose. Although, it would stand to reason if you have been sick, maybe you should NOT kiss your wife. In my husband’s defense, he thought he was on the mend.

I am happy to say that I am finally on the way to recovery. It has taken more days than I care to think about, but I am almost well. The good news is that I managed to get plenty of rest last week.

Well, unless you count the coughing and hacking or the “Honey Get Your Gun” episode. Refer to my Peep Picayune if you missed that post. It may make you grin.

On a positive note, I lost a few of pounds. This of course allowed redemption for my husband from the dog-house, finally.

After sick day one, of lying around, I started to get stir-crazy. I had to pop up occasionally and do something productive. A load of laundry. Read a book. Fold Clothes. Read a book. Take a shower and take a nap. Watch a bit of TV.

After day 2 or 3 rolls around, I have officially “had it”. I am not a good “sick person”. I am not really sure what that means, I just know that I am not a good “sick person”. My husband is, even worse at it. Surprised?

Eventually, I found my way to the kitchen. After several days of drinking orange juice, eating soup and avocados, I was ready for something else. I needed a hearty meal.

I pulled out my trusty Dutch Oven and the Beef Roast. I grabbed a few things and went to work.

Shout out to Alexa for music to keep me moving and make me well. Alexa chose Aerosmith, Sweet Emotion.

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Simply Zin Tomato Garlic Sauce

Mimi — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 03:05:05 +0000

In Louisiana, Justin Wilson was a fixture that we all knew about growing up. He was funny, ‘way Cajun’ and had a cooking show on PBS. It was probably my first connection with a “cooking show”. Justin would pour in wine, to the meal that he was cooking. Then, he would pour himself a bit, then maybe a bit more. He was famous for his humor and love of Cajun culture. “I GARONTEE!”

I don’t know how widespread Justin Wilson’s popularity was outside of his beloved Louisiana. Folks loved him, there. He started his career in safety, providing lectures to workers in the refinery. He discovered that interjecting a bit of cajun humor would improve his lectures. He was a born story-teller.

Justin eventually found his way to music, humor and cooking. He had a passion for it all. His first cookbook was printed in 1965, at the age of 51. He had a long history of entertaining and feeding people well. If you are not familiar with Justin Wilson, ask google and you tube to lend a helping hand.

Like Justin, I am going to “Pour myself a little wine, sha’!”

Coppola’s Red Label Zinfadel

When I started pulling ingredients this evening, I started with the Zinfandel. The other ingredients just found their way to the pan. Although, the wine may have coaxed them to the pan.

Simply Zin Tomato Garlic Sauce
Serves 2-3 as meal or 4 as side dish

1 Tablespoon Butter
1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
1 cup onions, sliced
2 garlic toes, minced
1 pint Grape Tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 cup pimentos, chopped
1/2 Teaspoon Italian Spice
1/8 Teaspoon Salt
3 Tablespoons Zinfandel
Peppercorns, Fresh grind several turns
Sprinkle Cayenne
8 oz Davinci’s Small Shells Pasta

Onion, sliced in half and half again

In saucepan on low, melt butter. Add olive oil, onions and cook slowly until tender. Add garlic and grape tomatoes, stirring as needed.

Photos shows whole grape tomatoes

Cook on low until the tomatoes start to cook down about 6-10 minutes (I left my grape tomatoes whole and then used a potato masher when they were ready. They popped with juice. Slicing in half is a better idea.)

Sauce before the Zin

Add in pimentos, spices, and the Zinfandel. It may be time to pour another glass in Justin’s honor.

Taste and adjust any salt, pepper and cayenne to match your taste. Allow to simmer for a bit.

All Zinned UP!

Prepare your pasta according to package directions. Drain.

In the pasta pot, add the amount of pasta that you and yours desire to the sauce and stir well. Each family has it’s own pasta and sauce ratio. Sprinkle with Parmesan and enjoy!

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