I loved my dinner tonight! I usually love the dinner I make every night but tonight was something special! I sort of modified the typical shrimp scampi recipe to make Spicy Garlic Shrimp and Egg Noodles. I used whole wheat egg noodles and frozen raw shrimp (which were a find at whole foods for 5.99 last night! So easy to defrost, too!). Shrimp scampi is one of my favorite dinners but I never make it because I never want to buy fresh shrimp because then I feel like I have to make it the same day that I buy it. I was so excited to find frozen raw shrimp last night at the store because I can just use what I want (4 ounces) and save the rest for later! I let them defrost by running them underneath cold water for a few minutes, pulled off their shells, deveined the suckers and tossed them in the sauce. So easy and healthy! I also love these new whole wheat egg noodles because they are so soft and fluffy, and because you really do get a plateful for a 2 ounce serving size. I made a quick and easy pan sauce using white wine, lemon, shallot, garlic and a tad of butter and olive oil. Then I added the shrimp, some parmesan cheese and hot pasta. Dinner was done in 10 minutes. Seriously! I also had a simple green salad with a little bit of Annie’s organic ginger dressing.
My throat is still quite sore (I actually went to a walk-in clinic yesterday and got antibiotics for an ear infection with sore throat) and I am craving something creamy now. Too bad my favorite yogurt place is 70 miles down the road :(. At work today I read my new Cooking Light though and found some creamy dessert recipes….I may be testing some out tonight! 🙂
Little shrimpies cooking in my new pretty red cast-iron skillet
This dinner was about 475 calories.
Danielle
January 6, 2008 at 11:42 pmYummy dinner, I am definitely going to be making this meal asap!
Here’s a comment I left before, I don’t think you saw it: And yet another thing that I have yet to try! I absolutely adore salmon but was nervous about trying the canned because I don’t like canned tuna one bit. I hate the smell, taste, even kind of the way it looks. Are there any similarities between the two, other than consistency? What’s the difference in taste from a filet of salmon?Also, how fishy is it? Thanks, I feel uncultured, haha. But I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it! Thanks so much by explaining how you made the salad too because I would definitely have no idea.
Christie
January 6, 2008 at 11:57 pmI made the quinoa recipe with telaggio cheese (sp) and mushrooms, I also added some zuccini.. it was the first time I was successful with the quinoa. I really enjoyed the flavors and the cremainess of the cheese. I HOPE you make some dessert recipes cause I would love to try them. Thanks for all the great recipes!
jenna
January 7, 2008 at 12:13 amDanielle-
I’m not sure if you would like canned salmon if you absolutely despise canned tuna…..A lot of people hate the whole “canned fish” kind of thing and they don’t like either tuna or salmon. I found the texture of the salmon to be a lot different than tuna though. It was flakier and drier..I liked it a lot better actually. The smell is about the same..maybe a little less strong and the taste is a little less strong as well. It’s not as prominent as tuna…not as “fishy” and in your face as tuna is. I don’t think it really tastes at all like a fillet of salmon but then again, I don’t think canned tuna tastes like a fillet of tuna either. It’s just different…that’s all I can say! I would try it though before you dismiss it because you hate it’s sidekick. You might enjoy it and its a very healthy way to get in your omega 3’s! 🙂
Lynn
January 7, 2008 at 12:40 amLove the way your shrimp looked as it was stirred. Look so Yummy ~~~~~
the pink spatula looked SOOOO familiar. Have I seen that before??? As in gift????
jenna
January 7, 2008 at 12:41 amThat’s not the spatula I gave YOU, mom! That would be helen’s…. 🙂
jenna
January 7, 2008 at 12:42 amps- the cast iron skillet is working great!! Love it! Thank you!
jess
January 7, 2008 at 8:01 amAww, your mom got you a cast iron skillet for christmas?? Way to go mom! We have one that we use at my house that has been in the family forever. In fact, my grandmother clutched it on the ship when she was immigrating here from sweden Years ago because she was “afraid that they wouldn’t know how to cook in this new country” haha. And I’m definately using it to cook this very dinner for my mom and I tonight! (although I’m using more of a seafood medley with little scallops and eel rings as well as shrimp- thank you trader joe’s). Thanks for your constant inspiration!
-jess
Kristin
January 7, 2008 at 4:05 pmJenna,
That shrimp dish looks fabulous- I’m definately trying it for myself in the near future!
Personally, I love that pink spatula you were using… what brand is it?
I was also wondering what other brands of cooking/baking supplies you would suggest? I’m just starting my own collection and as someone seriously interested in cooking and baking, I was wondering what suggestions you had!
Thanks!
Kristin
P.S. I tried your foccacia recipe today, and it was fantastic!
jenna
January 7, 2008 at 6:39 pmKristin,
Well, I sort of have expensive tastes but have no money so I’m out of luck! I LOVE everything in william sonoma!!!! Luckily, people know that and that’s what I get for presents. You can go there and get cheap stuff like spoons, whisks, measuring cups–ect…but you could also go to target and get stuff as well, which I have done myself in the past. I would go there for measuring cups and basic stuff because you will get the most for your money. Now on big stuff like pots and knives–that’s where I would say you need to spend the money to get quality. Everyone needs a good set of knives in their kitchen because good knives are much safer than bad knives (obviously). Luckily, my knife kit that I got at school has all great german-made knives and equipment but for everyone else, knives might be quite an investment. Don’t skimp though because you will have them for the rest of your life (if you get a stone to sharpen them with that is!). You also will have pots for the rest of your life so if you have the money to do it, buy them! Look online at william-sonoma or le creusat (sp?). I have a le creusat loaf pan and cast iron skillet and love them. They have outlet stores around so see if there is one near you! 🙂
jenna
January 7, 2008 at 6:39 pmps- glad you liked the foccacia!!! yum!
jenna
January 7, 2008 at 6:45 pmOh, and also-that pink spatula is from william-sonoma 🙂
jenna
January 7, 2008 at 6:49 pmThanks, Jess! Hope your dinner turned out great! Just remember the portion sizes in my recipes are made for 1 so if you are cooking for you and your mom, for example, double them! 🙂
Megan
January 23, 2008 at 4:26 pmhow many shrimp are in 3-4 ounces? i never know when i look at the nutrition facts. Thanks!
jenna
January 23, 2008 at 7:00 pmIt varies greatly…usually around 8 I would say as a ballmark figure. Depends on their size though!!