REVISIONED PAINTING

Dark Sky   Acrylic   24x24

Dark Sky was completed in 2011, and I have been looking at it every day in its place on the wall of my studio.  Several days ago I decided it was time for a little revision.  

Dark Sky revised

10-25-16 Angel Hair Pasta w Shrimp Scampi

As soon as I saw Patience’s vibrant crop of Dill in the porch garden I knew what I wanted to do.  Yesterday I bought the shrimp and last night did the deed.

                    

INGREDIENTS:  I cooked ¼ lb. of pasta for two.  Adjust ingredients as needed.  The amounts listed below are estimates.

1.     DeBoles angel hair pasta

2.     Shrimp, peeled and de-veined

3.     Olive oil

4.     Fresh lemon juice  ½ lemon

5.     Butter 2-3 tbsp

6.     White wine ¼ - 1/3 cup

7.     Garlic 1 large or 2 small cloves crushed

8.     Fresh dill

9.     Heavy whipping cream

PROCESS:

While waiting for the pasta water to boil cook the garlic in olive but do not allow it to brown.  Add the butter and a sprinkling of finely chopped dill, followed by the shrimp, cooking over low-medium heat.  While the shrimp is cooking add lemon juice and the wine.

Several minutes before the pasta is ready add a small amount of cream, about 2 tablespoons.  Add the pasta to the pan, mix thoroughly, and sprinkle with fresh dill.

COMMENTS:

Sometimes you hit a home run in the kitchen.  This was just that.  I can’t wait to do it again.

LEEK - POTATOES - ASPARAGUS & PASTA

-->

10-6-16   Leek – Potatoes - Asparagus & Pasta

Six o’clock, and I had not given any thought to dinner.  Fortunately Patience decided on a bike ride, so I had some time to come up with something.  A quick look in the fridge revealed asparagus that needed to be used,  leeks, and 2 potatoes, all that I needed for dinner.

               

INGREDIENTS:

1.     Penne pasta

2.     Leek- sliced crosswise

3.     Potatoes- diced into small cubes

4.     Celery

5.     Asparagus

6.     Garlic –Dorot frozen cube

7.     Basil

8.     Sweet Vermouth –about 1’3 cup

9.     Tomato paste – about 1 tablespoon

10. Heavy whipping cream – about 1/3 – ¼ cup

11. Grana Padana for grating

PROCESS:

Cook the Leek and celery in olive oil for about 3 minutes then add the garlic cube (or one clove of fresh garlic finely chopped).  Turn the heat to high and add the potatoes.  Cook until the potatoes begin to brown – stirring frequently to prevent burning.  Turn the heat down to medium-low, and add the wine, basil, and asparagus.  Wait a few minutes and add the tomato paste.  Continue cooking until the potatoes are cooked to your satisfaction.  The total cooking time for this was about 20-30 minutes.

About 5 minutes before the pasta is ready add the cream and turn the heat to low.

When the pasta is done add it to the pan and mix thoroughly, or use a separate bowl.  Serve with grated Gran Padana cheese.

COMMENTS:

I have to credit Patience for introducing me to the unlikely combination of potatoes and pasta.  She created a dish for us several years ago, and I have borrowed heavily from that ever since.

Try it and you will not be disappointed.  Obviously there is room for any number of variations, but the key is getting the vegetables brown over the high heat