Showing posts with label Cooking with Nikki the Foodie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooking with Nikki the Foodie. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Three Aewsome Recipes, One Fantastic Day of Food
It's Monday.
Usually I don't look forward to Mondays, but it's easier to make it through when you have AWESOME left overs for lunch.
Yesterday I tried my hand at Home Made Shrimp Ravioli with Lemon Cream Sauce.
Omg...
I knew it was going to be a process, and it was. However...so worth it.
Worth every moment I spent in Trader Joe's looking for the best shaved Parmesano reggiano, the perfectly ripened lemons and the freshest mozzarella I could find.
It was worth every moment to make hand made pasta (which is actually a great way to relieve stress) and measure out all the various ingredients for the stuffing and sauces.
It was worth it because the outcome (both of them actually) was incredible.
One type of fantastic hand made ravioli, two types of incredible sauce and *PLENTY* of leftovers.
Good thing too, I was so stoked about this recipe last week that if I didn't bring leftovers, some of my coworkers would have revolted.
So here are the recipes that were used yesterday. If you ever give this a shot yourself, make sure to invite lots of hungry people.
Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
3 cups flour
3 eggs
Lemon Pepper
Directions
Combine 1 cup of flour to 1 egg until all three are combined, throw in 2 tbs lemon pepper and combine until you have a huge ball of dough.
Cut dough into smaller pieces and roll out into sheets until it has reached the thickness you prefer.
Leave sheets on table, and prepare shrimp stuffing.
Ravioli Stuffing
1 lb Colossal Shrimp, minced
15 oz Ricotta Cheese
16 oz Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 Cup Parmesano Reggiano
1 minced shallot
2 large eggs beaten and seasoned with salt and pepper
1 cup Italian herb bread crumbs
Directions
In a large bowl, combine shrimp, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesano, shallot and egg mixture.
Combine with hands until mixed well.
Assembling Ravioli
Lay out a sheet of dough on the table. Using a cookie scoop, place balls of shrimp/cheese mixture on the dough about 1 inch apart. When the layer has all the stuffing it can hold, lay another sheet of dough over the stuffing, and cut the ravioli out using a butter knife.
Use a small amount of water on your fingers to press the ravioli closed at the seams.
Be sure that you have sealed all the ravioli as well as you can. If they go into boiling water and are not sealed, you will have a mess on your hands.
Once all ravioli are assembled, you can throw them in a pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes.
Once pasta is cooked, remove it from the water and set aside.
White Sauce Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
2 tbs flour
1/3 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbs white wine
2 tbs lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 large egg yolk
1 minced shallot
1/3 cup shaved parmesano reggiano
Directions
Melt butter and add flour. Stirring constantly, add all ingredients and heat on medium for about 5 minutes. Add the cheese last and this will thicken the sauce.
Red Sauce Ingredients
28 oz. can diced tomatoes w/juice
28 oz. can tomato puree
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
In a large bowl, mix the diced tomatoes with juice and tomato puree . Stir until blended.
For either White or Red Sauce- Baking the Ravioli
In a 13” x 9” pan, coat the bottom with a thin layer of sauce.
Add ravioli to pan arrange in a single layer. Pour sauce over the ravioli and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesano cheese over the sauce.
Cover with foil, tenting the foil so as not to stick to cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 20-25 minutes longer or until cheese is golden brown. Garnish with parsley and serve.
I'll be back a little later with some fantastic pictures of this adventure.
Until then, I'll be enjoying my lunch :)
Happy eating foodies!
Usually I don't look forward to Mondays, but it's easier to make it through when you have AWESOME left overs for lunch.
Yesterday I tried my hand at Home Made Shrimp Ravioli with Lemon Cream Sauce.
Omg...
I knew it was going to be a process, and it was. However...so worth it.
Worth every moment I spent in Trader Joe's looking for the best shaved Parmesano reggiano, the perfectly ripened lemons and the freshest mozzarella I could find.
It was worth every moment to make hand made pasta (which is actually a great way to relieve stress) and measure out all the various ingredients for the stuffing and sauces.
It was worth it because the outcome (both of them actually) was incredible.
One type of fantastic hand made ravioli, two types of incredible sauce and *PLENTY* of leftovers.
Good thing too, I was so stoked about this recipe last week that if I didn't bring leftovers, some of my coworkers would have revolted.
So here are the recipes that were used yesterday. If you ever give this a shot yourself, make sure to invite lots of hungry people.
Pasta Recipe
Ingredients
3 cups flour
3 eggs
Lemon Pepper
Directions
Combine 1 cup of flour to 1 egg until all three are combined, throw in 2 tbs lemon pepper and combine until you have a huge ball of dough.
Cut dough into smaller pieces and roll out into sheets until it has reached the thickness you prefer.
Leave sheets on table, and prepare shrimp stuffing.
Ravioli Stuffing
1 lb Colossal Shrimp, minced
15 oz Ricotta Cheese
16 oz Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 Cup Parmesano Reggiano
1 minced shallot
2 large eggs beaten and seasoned with salt and pepper
1 cup Italian herb bread crumbs
Directions
In a large bowl, combine shrimp, ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesano, shallot and egg mixture.
Combine with hands until mixed well.
Assembling Ravioli
Lay out a sheet of dough on the table. Using a cookie scoop, place balls of shrimp/cheese mixture on the dough about 1 inch apart. When the layer has all the stuffing it can hold, lay another sheet of dough over the stuffing, and cut the ravioli out using a butter knife.
Use a small amount of water on your fingers to press the ravioli closed at the seams.
Be sure that you have sealed all the ravioli as well as you can. If they go into boiling water and are not sealed, you will have a mess on your hands.
Once all ravioli are assembled, you can throw them in a pot of boiling water for about 10 minutes.
Once pasta is cooked, remove it from the water and set aside.
White Sauce Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
2 tbs flour
1/3 cup heavy cream
salt and pepper to taste
2 tbs white wine
2 tbs lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
1 large egg yolk
1 minced shallot
1/3 cup shaved parmesano reggiano
Directions
Melt butter and add flour. Stirring constantly, add all ingredients and heat on medium for about 5 minutes. Add the cheese last and this will thicken the sauce.
Red Sauce Ingredients
28 oz. can diced tomatoes w/juice
28 oz. can tomato puree
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
In a large bowl, mix the diced tomatoes with juice and tomato puree . Stir until blended.
For either White or Red Sauce- Baking the Ravioli
In a 13” x 9” pan, coat the bottom with a thin layer of sauce.
Add ravioli to pan arrange in a single layer. Pour sauce over the ravioli and sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesano cheese over the sauce.
Cover with foil, tenting the foil so as not to stick to cheese. Bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake 20-25 minutes longer or until cheese is golden brown. Garnish with parsley and serve.
I'll be back a little later with some fantastic pictures of this adventure.
Until then, I'll be enjoying my lunch :)
Happy eating foodies!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Crab Stuffed Lobster Tails- New for Valentine's Day 2010!
There are few things in this world as good as a Crab Stuffed Lobster Tail.
I'm not talking about a tail that has had the meat removed, chopped, mixed into a stuffing and crammed back into the shell for presentation; I'm talking about a WHOLE Maine Lobster Tail, with additional crab stuffing on top waiting to be baked into golden deliciousness.
We finally started carrying just that, and more...Lobster Stuffed Lobster Tails.
Now, you already know how I feel about Lobster Stuffed Lobster...so needless to say, I'm really excited about this newest offering.
So excited in fact, I decided to get a four pack of crab stuffed lobster tails myself and prepared two of them over the weekend.
They were absolutely fantastic (as expected!).
I will be reordering these in the Lusting for Lobster Package for Valentine's Day.
Nothing says romance like Stuffed Lobster tails, Lobster Bisque and Creme Brulee Raspberry Cheesecake.
Especially if you can get it delivered in time for Valentine's Day for under $90.
And with that, I'll share the quick photos I snapped of these divine lobster tails.
Happy eating foodies!
I'm not talking about a tail that has had the meat removed, chopped, mixed into a stuffing and crammed back into the shell for presentation; I'm talking about a WHOLE Maine Lobster Tail, with additional crab stuffing on top waiting to be baked into golden deliciousness.
We finally started carrying just that, and more...Lobster Stuffed Lobster Tails.
Now, you already know how I feel about Lobster Stuffed Lobster...so needless to say, I'm really excited about this newest offering.
So excited in fact, I decided to get a four pack of crab stuffed lobster tails myself and prepared two of them over the weekend.
They were absolutely fantastic (as expected!).
I will be reordering these in the Lusting for Lobster Package for Valentine's Day.
Nothing says romance like Stuffed Lobster tails, Lobster Bisque and Creme Brulee Raspberry Cheesecake.
Especially if you can get it delivered in time for Valentine's Day for under $90.
And with that, I'll share the quick photos I snapped of these divine lobster tails.
Happy eating foodies!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Jamaican Jerk Shrimp
Good Monday morning Foodies! I hope everyone had an outstanding weekend!
Mine was super busy, but very productive! Sunday afternoon I spent in my kitchen.
It was a cold, rainy gray day here in Chicago, so I decided it would be a perfect day to make something spicy that reminds me of summer. So, I made Jamaican Jerk Shrimp and they turned out fantastic! Of course I would have liked to prepare them on an out door grill, but in Chicago in December...it ain't happening!
So, here is the recipe for pan seared Jamaican Jerk Spiced Shrimp!
Ingredients
1 tbs sugar
1 tbs paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground thyme
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1 1/2 lb large cooked shrimp
2 tbs olive oil
Directions
Pat shrimp dry and place in Tupperware container and cover with 2 tbs olive oil. Cover and toss to coat. Open container and add all spices. Cover and toss to coat again.
Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and cook shrimp for 5-7 minutes until heated.
Serve immediately.
Mine was super busy, but very productive! Sunday afternoon I spent in my kitchen.
It was a cold, rainy gray day here in Chicago, so I decided it would be a perfect day to make something spicy that reminds me of summer. So, I made Jamaican Jerk Shrimp and they turned out fantastic! Of course I would have liked to prepare them on an out door grill, but in Chicago in December...it ain't happening!
So, here is the recipe for pan seared Jamaican Jerk Spiced Shrimp!
Ingredients
1 tbs sugar
1 tbs paprika
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp ground thyme
1/8 tsp ground allspice
1 1/2 lb large cooked shrimp
2 tbs olive oil
Directions
Pat shrimp dry and place in Tupperware container and cover with 2 tbs olive oil. Cover and toss to coat. Open container and add all spices. Cover and toss to coat again.
Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and cook shrimp for 5-7 minutes until heated.
Serve immediately.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Lobster Grilled Cheese
Lobster Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
10-12 oz Cooked Maine Lobster Meat
1/8 cup shredded fresh mozzarella cheese
1/8 cup fresh goat cheese
1/8 cup fresh sharp cheddar cheese
2 tbs mustard,
1 tbs lemon juice
1 chopped green onion
salt and pepper to taste
Bread
butter
Directions
Combine all ingredients except for the cheeses. Butter one side of a piece of bread and lay it down on the hot griddle pan. Spread the lobster mixture on the bread and top with cheeses to your taste. Top the lobster with another piece of buttered bread (butter side out) and cook until both sides are toasted, and the cheeses have melted.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Images from Lobster Grilled Cheese and Lobster Hush-Puppies
Ok..here is how this is going to work.
Images today, recipes tomorrow :)
Sorry folks, short on time today!
Images today, recipes tomorrow :)
Sorry folks, short on time today!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Hot & Spicy Cajun Sea Scallops
Good Monday morning Foodies! I hope everyone had an outstanding weekend. I know I did, I prepared Hot & Spicy Cajun Sea Scallops. I had been planning on making Apricot Chipotle Sea Scallops, but me being the forgetful person I am, forgot to get the recipe my co-worker had tried and fell in love with.
So as a back up plan, I reached for my jar of trusty Cajun Dry Rub. I make this recipe in HUGE batches and jar them for use down the road. To get that really fine blend, I like using my mortar and pestle. When you are done blending these, you will have a great dry rub that's perfect for chicken, pork or any kind of seafood you like. Be warned...this dry rub is HOT! Not "Oh...that has a little kick to it"...this is mouth-scorching hot! Use sparingly if you are not looking for a fire. Here is the recipe in a slightly more manageable form.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground Cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
Blend all ingredients together. Transfer to mortar and pestle and grind until a fine powder remains. Jar for future use.
And here is the video of the preparation. Images coming soon!
So as a back up plan, I reached for my jar of trusty Cajun Dry Rub. I make this recipe in HUGE batches and jar them for use down the road. To get that really fine blend, I like using my mortar and pestle. When you are done blending these, you will have a great dry rub that's perfect for chicken, pork or any kind of seafood you like. Be warned...this dry rub is HOT! Not "Oh...that has a little kick to it"...this is mouth-scorching hot! Use sparingly if you are not looking for a fire. Here is the recipe in a slightly more manageable form.
Ingredients
1 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground Cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
Directions
Blend all ingredients together. Transfer to mortar and pestle and grind until a fine powder remains. Jar for future use.
And here is the video of the preparation. Images coming soon!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Images from Grilled King Crab Legs with Simple Seafood Marinade
As promised...here are the images from last night's feast! Happy Labor Day Foodies!
Friday, April 3, 2009
Andy & Nikki the Foodie Cooking New Zealand Lobster Tails
Today we had Giant New Zealand Lobster Tails in the office, so we decided to show everyone how we do it in our very own test kitchen! I'm behind the camera so you don't get to see my pretty face just yet(I know...you are all going to cry about that tonight lol) but there is plenty of Lobster, Lobster Facts and Professor Andy showing us how it's done. This is the first in a series of 3, so look out for the rest to be posted next week. Happy eating foodies...enjoy your weekends!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
