Recipe: Shrimp and Veggie Pasta

I want to share with you a fast and easy way to cook pasta for that "oh no, I don't have enough time to cook lunch / dinner..." days. It's healthy too!

yummy pasta

Ingredients:
1 box (16 oz) whole grain pasta (or any pasta of choice)
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1/2 small red onion, diced (I used regular onion on this one)
1/2 cup pine nuts, toasted (optional)
1 - 2 tbsp. garlic paste
4 tbsp olive oil
1/3 cup packed basil, thinly sliced
1 tsp crushed red pepper (optional)
15 medium-sized un-cooked shrimp, thawed
1 cup shredded cheese (I use parmesan on this)

Instructions:
1. Cook pasta. Drain, then toss with 1 tbsp olive oil and set aside.
2. Saute peppers and onions in 1 tbsp oilve oil over medium-high heat until tender and slightly carmelized, about 10-12 minutes.
3. Season shrimp with salt and pepper. saute in remaining olive oil over medium heat, 3 minutes per side.
4. Toss pasta with garlic paste, carmelized veggies, shrimp and pine nuts.
5. Sprinkle with basil, crushed red pepper and cheese.

Recipe: Homemade Sugar Cubes

Okay, so I plan this originally to give out during the Holidays last year (in different designs and colors) but I wasn't able to do it. Luckily, I needed something to give out on Valentine's Day and figured to practice doing it before that day comes. I'm happy with the outcome and already given out a few to those who saw in on my Facebook and wanted to try it.

my homemade sugar cubes

Since Heart's Day is over. I'm getting ready for another 2 Holidays! I will do a red white and blue for President's Day, and all green for St. Patrick's Day! How lovely! I was happy I picked this kind of silicone mold because it's so versatile. All I need is to buy more color varieties for different occasions. 

I will show you the easy steps to make it. You'll need:

silicone mold (candy molds are harder to work with and may cause cubes to break)

1/4 cup white granulated sugar

1/4 tsp. cold water

12 drops of food coloring

Mix them together. Pour on the molds and leave overnight. The next day, carefully pop them out! Done! You can use this on any beverage you like. 

Enjoy making them and giving out to family and friends! Let me know how you did. :)

Recipe: Honey Walnut Shrimp

My husband and I love this! We always order this whenever we go to Chinese Restaurants, and figured why not make our own since we love it so much, and we can have it anytime we want! I want to share you how I make it:

~ MY HONEY WALNUT SHRIMP ~

Ingredients:
1 cup water
2/3 cup white sugar
1/2 cup walnuts
4 egg whites
2/3 cup mochiko (glutinous rice flour) - optional, you can use any breading you want
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 lb. large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tbsp. honey
1 tbsp. condensed milk
1 cup vegetable oil for frying

Directions:
1. Stir together the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil and add the walnuts. Boils for 2 minutes, then drain & place walnuts on a paper towel to dry.
2. Whip egg whites in a medium bowl until foamy. Stir in the mochiko until pasty.
3. Heat the oil in a heavy deep skillet over medium-high heat. Dip shrimp into the mochiko batter & then fry in the hot oil until golden brown, about 5 mins. Remove & drain on paper towels.
4. In a medium bowl, stir together the mayo, honey and condensed milk. Add shrimp and toss to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle the walnuts on top and serve.

* best serve over cooked rice :)
* You can find mochiko flour on Asian groceries.

ENJOY!

Recipe: Cookie Crumble

I'm not really a baker. My husband is. So I'm so happy when I baked my first cookies! Here's what it looks like:

~ my cookie crumble ~

We got some of our friends to taste it, and it was a hit! I want to share it with you guys and enjoy!

You'll need: 

1 1/4 cups light brown sugar

1 cup shortening (or butter)

1 tsp. vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 cups all purpose flour

6 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking soda

2/3 cup mini semi-sweet choco chips

1/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup powdered sugar

Makes: 3 dozen.

How to:

1. Beat brown sugar, shortening and vanilla in large bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs; beat until fluffy.
2. Stir together flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda. Gradually add to shortening mixture, beating at medium speed just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and chill 3 hours.
3. Heat overn to 375 degrees. Shape dough into 1 1/4-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar, then in powdered sugar to coat completely. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheet.
4. Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until cookies are set. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

That's it! Easy steps! Hope you have fun baking!