Wednesday, December 22, 2010

E: Shrimp, Snap Peas & Pesto Pasta

Hi guys! Are you still working or schooling away or are you off for break? Today was my first day off and I am SUPER excited. I apologize if I get a little more MIA as the week goes on.

In terms of cooking & baking,  there still has been a lot of both going on in our household. First up, I made a great and EASY semi-homemade pasta dish for dinner on Monday. I cooked up whole wheat pasta and, in the last minutes of cooking, I added in a bundle of pea pods. The pasta & peas were drained and then returned to the pot. I added a few tablespoons of store bought pesto:

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and shredded parmesan and called it dinner! For Josh’s version, I also added roasted shrimp a la Ina Garten. I tossed deveined & tailless shrimp with olive oil & salt and pepper. I placed it in a 400 degree oven for approximately 5-6 minutes until cooked through, the result:

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Since we’ll be spending time with Josh’s family,I wanted to bring a container of sweet treats. I USUALLY make my big oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, but decided to mix it up. This time, I made Diana’s chocolate chip cookie dough balls.  I spent a few minutes chatting with Diana about her recipe via gchat yesterday to make sure I got it jusssst right. Thank you Diana :). I made one batch with big chocolate chips and the other with toffee chips. The outcome:

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I don’t think anyone will be complaining about the change up ;).

And a HUGE thank you to the fabulous Ms. Lauren who sent me chocolate and Espresso Maple Salted Pecans. They are AMAZING! And how cute is her card & packaging?

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Do you find yourself going out to eat a lot this week? Or are you still baking & cooking at home?

38 comments:

Jessica @ How Sweet said...

We love pesto. We definitely don't eat it often enough!

Heather said...

We had a similar shrimp dish at Jay's parent's house this past weekend! Yum.
We have been eating at home, thank goodness, because I know when my sis comes home this weekend she'll want to eat out the whole time! :)
Have a great day, Erica!

lee said...

I love pesto and I don't eat it nearly enough. Do you ever make your own? I've never attempted to but I bet it's pretty easy.

Stephanie @cookinfanatic said...

Mmmm pesto, it's been too long for me since I've had it! We are still eating at home this week, but trying to finish up some items in the freezer on days that I'm busy baking and don't feel like cooking come night time :)

Heather (Where's the Beach) said...

Those pecans sound so good. I'll probably not go out to eat at all this week actually. I've done almost no baking so far - which is really odd. Tomorrow might be THE day though ;-)

Anonymous said...

Yum! That pasta looks delish!
Those cookies do too, as a matter of fact.
This week, I think we'll be eating a lot at other people's houses as we go have our Christmas celebrations with them.

Dawn Dishes It Out said...

Mmm, you reminded me I wanted to make pesto this week! I think I might actually toss the shrimp in too! Looks yummy! As the week gets busier & before I don't have time to say it ... I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy!!

Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said...

I love store-bought pesto! You can use it for so many dishes!

Christina said...

mmm loving that pasta! pesto is so delicious. i have been eating out TOO MUCH lately! but i'm going to magnolia's tonight, so who cares! bring it on! :)

Faith said...

Your pasta looks great! Great minds think alike, I had something similar for dinner last night. :) The cookies look sooooooo good! Love the idea of using chocolate and toffee in different batches!

Averie @ Averie Cooks said...

the cookie balls look awesome! i have seen a few popular recipes for those and yes, Diana's look GREAT and i want to make them...i wish i was going to your family gathering :)

super cute gift, too!

enjoy your xmas!!

Unknown said...

I've never seen jarred pesto! my neighbor grows soo much basil in the summer so we make pesto all the time :)

Renee Paj said...

MMMM...your pasta dish looks seriously yummy! I've got some scallops to use up in the freezer, they might be good in a dish like this!! Thanks for the inspiration!

Anonymous said...

YUMS! I've not combined shrimps and pesto before, and I'm not sure why! :) So loverly!
I was just reading Hangry Heather's blog and saw a deconstructed pesto on there...it appears that pesto is making the rounds this week! :)
I am always impressed with your seemingly endless energy stores miss Erica!

Katie said...

Two more days of work, then I have Christmas Eve and Christmas off. I'm excited!

I LOVE shrimp and pesto. Our favorite wine bar has a fabulous shrimp/pesto dish in a little clay pot.

Have a good day, lady!

Kim @ Kim and Mikey said...

The pasta dish looks mighty tasty. Our week is jammed packed with activities so we are eating nearly all of our meals out - whether that be at a party, a restaurant, or a family member's home. While I am enjoying the break from having to cook, I do miss my kitchen.

Diana said...

I have been cooking/baking more than ever at home! Havent' been in a restaurant since last Thurs (that is a long time for me!) but it's great - I've baked a TON to bring to the fam for xmas. Good stuff! I made Mama Pea's cookie dough balls, among other things. Everything came out so delicious that I had to put it all in the freezer. Just tasted one of each thing for quality control, ya know. ;)

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather said...

Pesto is most definitely one of my favorite pasta toopers! Looks great! Hope you enjoy all your time off with family Erica!

Krista said...

Great quick pasta idea, Erica! And the cookies look like they turned out terrific. YUM!

The Blonde Duck said...

Have a merry Christmas!

Naomi(Onefitfoodie) said...

what a wonderful gift you got! i heard lauren is quite famous for her pecans and so lucky you snagged some!

I was JUST googling a recipe for pesto because I love it so much!! i want to try pesto marinated chicken MMMM

Paige (Running Around Normal) said...

That pasta looks great! Love pesto :)
It's been cooking as usual 'round these parts! With all the money we spent on presents, it's hard to turn around and go out to eat this week! haha

corey @ the runners cookie said...

Almost on my break! Today is my last day of work until 2011 :) Easy dinners are the best - and can't go wrong with pesto! So much flavor. The dough balls look perfect, I still need to try making them! Hope you are having a fabulous day off, Erica!!

Lauren said...

So happy you love the nuts! :)

Beth @ DiningAndDishing said...

Your cookies look fabulous!! We've been eating in a lot this week. I don't mind at all because my dad is an excellent cook! :)

Enjoy your time off Erica!

Julie said...

haha i've totally been in hibernation for the past couple of days just waiting for the all out food fest come this weekend. i'm MOST excited for the loads of italian cookies (raaaaaaaaainbooooooooooow is the bestttt) that are coming my way!

your fam is going to FLIP for those! enjoy your time off and have fun with the famskies!

vanillasugarblog said...

the baking over here has stopped, yay!
i want to make giant cc cookies though. weird i know, but i crave them now after reading this lol
happy holidays to you and Josh if i don't write again.

BroccoliHut said...

Mmm you've reminded me how much I love snow peas!
I'll be eating out a lot the next two days in honor of my birthday--I turn 23 on Friday!

Simply Life said...

oh what a fun (and cute) package to get!

Priyanka said...

I am stuffed with shrimp. I had a huge serving for dinner tonight!

I love cookie dough balls!

Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete said...

still baking and cooking at home! We went out enough this past weekend while we were in Florida, and I'm happy at home with my gf food and utensils!

Pound said...

love me some shrimp! and the pesto sounds like a nice change to the usual!

i have to say - we've been eating in a lot but will have a couple of meals out today since it 's my hub's bday..naturally, he has all 3 meals planned out!

Holly said...

What a cute card and package! I LOVE the "Keep Calm" signs. :-)

I've been trying to cook at home this week, like normal. Today my sisters, mom and I are having a baking party, too!

Lea @ Healthy Coconut said...

I am still working, up until Christmas Eve unfortunately. But at least it's half day.

I love adding shrimp to my pasta, I always keep a bag of frozen shrimp in the freezer and use it for wraps or pastas.

Hmmm, more delicious cookies. I'll go check out the link.

CaSaundraLeigh said...

Semi-homemade dishes are lifesavers this time of year! Have a wonderful Christmas!

Diana said...

You are so welcome! I'm so glad the recipe worked out for you...the balls look fab-u-lous! And yum to the pesto, too! I love pesto...especially in the summer when the basil is in season. :) Happy Holidays!!!

Unknown said...

fabulous dinner and cookies :) hope you guys had a wonderful holiday!!

lynn said...

i got lauren's nuts too - they're NUTS! as in great!