cajun pasta

it started off as a jambalaya-inspired pasta sauce but detoured, and I’m ok with that. the spices are what makes this so try not to skip those. serves 6.

• olive oil for cooking

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 red bell peppers, diced

• 2 sausage links (about 1 lb.) - I would use andouille or cheddar but anything goes; sliced

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb.), diced, or 1 lb. raw peeled shrimp

• 1 lb. small textured pasta - penne, rotini, shells, bow ties, etc.

• 1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes

• 1 tsp each: oregano, thyme, cayenne pepper, black pepper, onion powder, salt, parsley

• 2 tsp paprika

• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

• 1/2 cup heavy cream or 1/2 cup milk + 1 tbs cornstarch

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth

• 3 cups water

In a large saucepan over medium heat, add olive oil. Saute onion and peppers until soft, then add sausage and cook until just browned. Add garlic and cook for one minute. Add diced chicken/shrimp and all spices. Cook, stirring often, until chicken/shrimp is mostly cooked through.

Add pasta and stir. Add diced tomatoes, broth, and water. Simmer until pasta is al dente and almost all liquid is absorbed, stirring frequently - roughly 20 minutes.

If using milk + cornstarch, whisk the cornstarch into the milk until smooth. Add milk/heavy cream and cheddar cheese, and stir until combined.

shrimp stir fry

cheaper and quicker than ordering Chinese. Serves 4.

• 1 pound raw shrimp (any size but the smaller ones are easier to work with)

• 1 tbs olive oil

• salt and pepper to taste

• 4 cloves minced garlic

• 1/2 onion, diced

• 12 ounces frozen vegetable mix (carrots, corn, peas)

• 1/2 cup water

• 1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce

• 2 cups uncooked quinoa

• 2 scrambled eggs

In a large skillet, cook shrimp in olive oil, salt, and pepper until pink - about 2 minutes on each side.

Remove shrimp from pan. Add garlic and onion, and saute until onion is translucent. In the meantime, scramble the eggs in a separate pan.

Add vegetables, water, quinoa, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil. Simmer 15-20 minutes or until the quinoa absorbs most of the liquid.

Add eggs and shrimp back to the pan. Stir to combine.

shrimp scampi

Just as good as a restaurant. Serves 4-6.

• 4 cloves minced garlic

• 4 tbs (half a stick) butter

• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth

• 2 cups water

• 1 lb spaghetti or linguine

• 1 1/2 lbs raw shrimp (frozen are fine but thaw them first; any size works)

• 3/4 cup white wine, something dry

• 1 tbs dried sage

• 1 cup heavy cream or half and half

• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

• chopped fresh parsley, salt, pepper, lemon juice to taste

Heat 2 tbs butter in a large pot over high heat. Saute 2 cloves of garlic for 1 minute. Add broth and water, and bring to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Once cooked, lower the heat and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed. Do not drain - this will help with your sauce.

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbs butter. Add shrimp and saute until they are pink and opaque. Then, add the wine, more garlic, and sage. Cover and cook for 3-5 minutes until most of the wine has evaporated. Remove from heat.

Add the shrimp, heavy cream/half and half, parmesan, parsley, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the pasta. Toss lightly and serve.