Spicy Shrimp Pasta

Miss F's first choice for dinner whenever C isn't home for dinner is always shrimp. She also adores pasta, so I knew this recipe from Budget Bytes would be a huge hit in our house.  I was completely correct!  I used fresh tomatoes because I love the flavor they provide with shrimp, but a 14.5 ounce can of diced tomatoes would work just as easily.  I also used the magical Fasta Pasta to prepare the spaghetti.  The whole meal took less than 15 minutes to make, including peeling the shrimp (easy peel, of course!)  Feel free to double the crushed red pepper or sprinkle more on before serving if you prefer a little more heat.

Spicy Shrimp Pasta

8 ounces pasta
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic
½ pound peeled & deveined shrimp
1 pound roma tomatoes, diced
¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
¼ teaspoon salt

Prepare the pasta per package instructions, drain and set aside. While the pasta is cooking, add the oil and butter to a large skillet and heat over medium. Add the garlic, shrimp, tomatoes, red pepper and salt to the skillet and sauté for 5 minutes, until shrimp turn pink. Add the pasta and toss well to coat. Serve.

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Jalapeno Creamed Corn

Miss F was super disappointed when I told her we were having "tiny corn" instead of corn on the cob. She was so excited for corn on the cob, but once she tried this, she was just as happy. She referred to the minced jalapenos as "peas," but she ate them nonetheless. This is a really simple side that takes minimal effort, but really boosts the flavor of a boring old bag of frozen corn.  If you want this to be even tastier, but with far more effort, fresh corn would be equally fantastic and cook up exactly the same.  Right now it isn't worth bothering with, but I will add the extra work once sweet summer corn is available.

Jalapeno Creamed Corn

1 tablespoon olive oil
½ jalapeno, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 package frozen corn, 12 ounces
½ cup half and half

In a sauté pan, heat the oil over medium high heat. Add the jalapeno and garlic, sauté for 30 seconds. Add the corn, reduce the heat to medium and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes more. Add the half and half, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 8 to 10 minutes more. Serve.

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Roast Pork Tenderloin with Acorn Squash

Wow. This meal was amazingly simple. And amazingly delicious. This would be perfect for a dinner party because it cooks with no attention needed and presents beautifully. Though you would have to quintuple the recipe. C and I polished off nearly all of one pork tenderloin, it was so good.  Not surprisingly, this recipe for effortless entertaining comes from Martha Stewart.  Miss F was a fan of the pork, but not so much of the squash.  At least she tried it.  And she did eat a bucket full of peas, so not loving the squash was a-ok with me.

Roast Pork Tenderloin with Acorn Squash

1 acorn squash (2 pounds), quartered, seeded, and sliced ½ inch thick, skin on
4 garlic cloves, peeled
½ teaspoon dried rosemary
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1 pork tenderloin
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Scatter squash and garlic in a large roasting pan. Mix rosemary, 1 ½ teaspoons salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper; rub into pork. Place in pan with vegetables; drizzle with oil.
Roast 25 minutes. Brush pork with hoisin. Continue roasting, about 15 minutes, until pork reaches an internal temperature of 140 degrees. Let meat stand 5 minutes before slicing.

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