Golden Brown, Garlicky, and Ready in 30 Minutes! If you’ve ever ordered shrimp oreganata at a classic Italian‑American restaurant, you know the magic: plump butterflied shrimp draped in a crunchy, oregano‑laced breadcrumb crust that sizzles in white‑wine pan juices. At home, the same dish is surprisingly weeknight‑friendly—yet special enough for a date night at home. It’s also a delicious contender for any Feast of the Seven Fishes meal, as it takes just 15 minutes to prep and can then be tucked away in the oven to finish. Your Menu Plan…
Continue ReadingCreamy Pesto Shrimp Pasta Salad with Mozzarella
Make-Ahead Pasta Salad with Shrimp & Pesto Sauce If you love fresh, vibrant flavors and a satisfying yet refreshing meal, this make-ahead Pesto Shrimp Pasta Salad is a must-try! Featuring juicy roasted tomatoes, tender shrimp, creamy mascarpone cheese, and fresh summer pesto, this dish is almost too beautiful to eat. Almost. The best part? It can be enjoyed warm or chilled (just like my zesty street-corn pasta salad!), making it your go-to recipe for all summer cookouts and gatherings! Why this recipe works Make The Most Of Your Ingredients Short,…
Continue ReadingSpicy Shrimp & Scallop Aguachile (Ceviche)
Spicy Mexican-Inspired Aguachile (“Chile Water”) Hot summer days call for something bold, refreshing, and just a bit spicy. This shrimp and scallop aguachile beautifully combines fresh succulent seafood gently “cooked” in lime juice, then bathed in a bright green cilantro marinade. It’s endlessly versatile, so use my recipe as a guideline and build upon with ingredients that speak to you. Aguachile Verde: Kind Of Like Ceviche, But Spicy 🌶️ This Mexican-inspired seafood dish is essentially a cousin to ceviche, but with a spicy kick from chili peppers like serrano or…
Continue ReadingPesto alla Trapanese (Fresh Summer Tomato Pesto)
Meet pesto alla Tranapense–the sun-kissed cousin of classic Genovese pesto and one of Sicily’s best-kept culinary secrets! This raw tomato and almond pesto pairs peak-season cherry tomatoes with basil and mint, extra virgin olive oil, and nutty Parmigiano Reggiano to create a sauce that’s equal parts bright, creamy, and aromatic. It’s an easy weeknight pasta sauce that’s ready in minutes–though side note, it’s also fantastic on pan-seared salmon, spooned over grilled chicken, or mopped up with crusty bread–and almost has me believing I’m dining al fresco in Italy. Sigh. A…
Continue ReadingBistro-Style Steak Frites with Compound Butter
Juicy, Pan-Seared Steak with Crispy Pommes Frites Few dishes capture the essence of French bistros quite like steak frites: a deeply seared, butter-basted steak alongside a mountain of impossibly crisp fries (which, by the way, are fantastic with a side of ultra-creamy garlic-lemon mayonnaise for dipping!). The contrast is what makes it unforgettable—succulent, rosy beef with double-fried French fries that yield to a fluffy center. So I guess we can visit Paris without a plane ticket now, huh? Sign me up (and please bring me a bubbly French 75 stat)!…
Continue ReadingSummer Caprese Pasta Salad with Tomato Dressing
Pasta Salad with Tomatoes, Basil, & Bocconcini Nothing says fresh, vibrant, and summery quite like a Caprese Pasta Salad. This dish is a delightful twist on the classic Caprese salad, bringing together tender pasta, creamy bocconcini (those little mozzarella balls), sweet cherry tomatoes, and aromatic basil, all tossed in a luscious fresh tomato dressing (though tossing it with a tomato pesto would also be delish!). Why this recipe works It’s light yet satisfying, bursting with juicy flavors and just the right amount of tang from the aged balsamic vinegar. Perfect…
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