Shrimp Scampi

 1 box angel hair pasta prepared according to directions on box

1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined

4 tablespoons butter

2 shallots or 1/4 cup onions finely diced

4 tablespoons olive oil

2 cloves garlic minced

Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped or 1 Tablespoons dried

Juice of 1 lemon

1/4 to 1/2 cup dry white wine

Salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter. Add olive oil.  Add shallots/onions and sautee on low until soft.  Add garlic and Sautee for a minute.  Add rest of ingredients and stir for about a minute.   Add shrimp and stir until pink.  Serve over pasta.  Top with shaved parmesan (optional)

Caramel Sauce

 1 stick butter

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla 

Melt butter. Add brown sugar.  Add milk. Bring to boil and boil gently for 2 minutes while stirring.  Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.  Let cool and serve.

Perfect Poundcake for Me

This makes a smaller pound cake which is perfect for the two of us.  This is a Paula Deen recipe. 

2 sticks of butter softened

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup sour cream

3 large eggs

1 1/2 cups plain flour

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Cream softened butter and sugar together.  Add vanilla.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each one.  Sift flour and soda together in a separate bowl.  Add about a third of flour mixture at a time and mix well each time.  Mix in sour cream. Pour into a bunt pan that has been sprayed with PAM for baking. Cook for 40 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.   

Oven fried chicken

Got this recipe from my friend Brenda Crumley

Put 6 pieces of chicken in a bowl, cover with buttermilk and put in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. 

Meanwhile mix up the batter

1 cup all purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon seasoned salt

3/4 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons paprika 

Melt 1/2 stick butter in a pan you have sprayed with PAM.  Coat pieces of chicken with the flour mixture.  Lay in the melted butter.   Cook for 20 minutes at 400 degrees the turn each piece over and cook 20 more minutes.  Ready to eat !

Really good with boneless pork chops too!

Fresh Apple Cake with caramel glaze

1. Cream together 2 sticks of softened butter and 2 cups of sugar.

2.  Add 2 large eggs.

3.   In a separate bowl combine 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 2 teaspoons cinnamon.

4.  Add dry ingredients to wet mix.  Add slowly.  When combined Add 3 cups diced granny Smith apples, 1 cup of chopped pecans and 3 tablespoons of milk.

5.  Spray a 9x13 pan with Pam and spread mixture evenly into the Pam.  Bake at 350 for 50 minutes to an hour or until toothpick comes out clean.

6.  Meanwhile prepare the glaze.  To a sauce pan add 3/4 cup sugar, 1 stick butter. 1/4 cup buttermilk,  1 tablespoon corn syrup, and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda.  Bring to a full boil.   Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract.  Pore over the cake.  Use a spatula to spread over entire cake.  The longer it sits, the better it will be.  I made mine the day before I had planned to serve it.

How I make sausage balls

 In a large bowl add 2 cups grated cheese, I pound of sausage and 2 cups Pioneer baking mix.  Drizzle in 1/4 cup of water.  Spray a large baking pan with PAM or line with parchment paper.  I prefer parchment paper but use what you have.  With your hands mix the three ingredients together.  Make sure you break up the sausage as you go.  Form balls about the size of a walnut and place on the baking sheet. I toss each ball back and forth in my hands about 10 times, pressing gently each time to make sure the biscuit mix is well incorporated. We eat them for breakfast so this is the size that works for me.  Bake at 375 degrees until slightly brown.  Time depends on the size of the balls.

Beef Stew

 I had a friend ask if my beef stew was on my blog and I realized that it isn't so here's how I do beef stew...

I buy a small beef roast and cut it into bite size pieces.  I toss the meat in 1/4 cup flour.  I heat about 2 tablespoons of oil on low.  Add the beef and a diced onion to the oil.  Cook until beef is slightly brown and onions are tender.  Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.   Add beef broth.  The amount you add depends on how soupy you want it.  Add I can petite diced tomatoes and whatever vegetables you like.  I add potatoes and carrots.  Cover pot with a lid and simmer on low for about 30 minutes or until meat is tender.