Recipes

Creamy Corn Casserole

My “Viral” Creamy Corn Casserole was so rich and creamy, I ate it for lunch and was too satiated to eat dinner.

To make it, you will need:

  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1.5 cup 2% milk*
  • 4 ounces cream cheese
  • 1 (15.25-ounce) can whole kernel sweet corn drained
  • 1(14.75-ounce) can cream-style sweet corn
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Grated nutmeg to taste, optional

Method:

1️⃣ Heat oven to 350°F.
2️⃣In a large sauce pan, over medium heat, slowly swirl the butter until it’s melted.
3️⃣Whisk the flour into the melted butter until well incorporated. Next whisk in the sugar, eggs, milk and cream cheese. Mix well.
4️⃣Stir the creamed and kernel corn into the butter mixture. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg. Mix well. Turn the stove off.
5️⃣Pour into a 8×8 glass casserole baking dish.
6️⃣Bake in the center of the rack, uncovered for at least 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown. It should come out creamy and delicious. It made the perfect side dish to my prime rib roast paired with a 2019 Brunello di Montalcino. There was also champagne.

It was a day of indulgence, since we were celebrating both the New Year 🥂🎊 and our son Matthew’s birthday 🍷🎂.

Now I’m eating like a bird. 🦅😂

  • You can use whole milk, but I didn’t have any on hand. That’s why I used cream cheese to make up for the fat content.

Are you going to try my recipe? 🌽

Creamy Corn Casserole
Looks golden brown and delicious!

Happy New Year 🎊

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Food & Wine Blogger, Sommelier Level 2
and WSET Level 2 certified.
Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Italian Wine Scholar
Salice Salentino Italian Award-Winning Wine Blog. Website: www.foodiewinelover.com
Email: gina@foodiewinelover.com

Calzone My Way!

Calzone

Calzone is believed to have originated in Naples, Italy. They are delicious pizza pocket stuffed with a variety of ingredients like prosciutto, salami, pepperoni, ham, all sorts of cheeses, and veggies like red bell peppers and mushrooms. You can also add fresh or dried herbs to elevate the flavors and textures. In Naples, they love stuffing calzone with fresh seafood. Generally, calzone is made in individual-sized, this way they are easy to consume. Today, I am sharing a large family-sized calzone that is easier to put together, but requires the use of a fork and knife. By all means, use your hand if you want to!

1 lb. store-bought freshly baked pizza dough 
15 oz. whole-milk ricotta cheese 
1 cup mozzarella, shredded 
½ cup Parmigiano Reggiano, grated
4 ounces Prosciutto, shredded and chopped 
1 egg, beaten 
Marinara sauce on the side 

Servings: 4-6 with a salad or a side of veggies

Time: from start to finish – less than 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. 

Preparation: 

1.  Make sure you keep the dough at room temperature for at least 30 minutes prior to using. Cut the dough in half to create the top and bottom of the calzone. 

2.  Lightly knead and roll to flatten – about ¼ -1/2 inch thick. 
3. On a parchment-lined baking sheet, place one half of the dough.  
4. Spread half the ricotta on the dough. Add the mozzarella, Parmigiano (parmesan), and prosciutto. Finish with the remaining ricotta. 
5. Cover with the half dough. Pinch all around with a fork to seal together. Brush with the eggs. 
6. Bake on a lower rack for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. 

You will get a crusty dough. Cut with a serrated knife or a pizza slicer. 
Serve with the red sauce for dipping.

This recipe got a high rating and will become a part of my culinary repertoire.

Wine Pairing Suggestions: Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo or Aglianico,

Dough before kneading and rolling

Please let me know when you try this recipe. I would love to hear your spin and creativity.

Happy Spring from my kitchen to yours,

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Food & Wine Blogger, Sommelier Level 2
WSET Level 2 certified.
Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Italian Wine Scholar
Website: www.foodiewinelover.com
Email: gina@foodiewinelover.com

Gina’s Healthier Surf & Turf Fried Rice

Surf & Turf Healthier Fried Rice
Surf & Turf Healthier Fried Rice
Gina’s Healthier Surf & Turf Fried Rice

I had some cooked brown rice in the fridge, scallions, and one pound of frozen large pink shrimp. I thought they would make a perfect base for a fried rice. Since I was feeding a hungry crowd, I needed more protein and some veggies to complete the dish. I contemplated using chicken, but instead I got 2 New York Strips steaks to create a decadent surf & turf fried rice. I started by using olive oil to pan fry the steaks, then I switched to sesame oil for the rest of the cooking. Use a wok, a cast-iron or large heavy-bottom pan. You will cook most of the ingredients separately, then combine all of them toward the end.

Level of difficulty: Intermediate Serves: 4-6

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked brown rice 
1 tbs. olive oil
1.1/4 lbs. New York Strip steaks (2)
sesame oil as needed for stir frying
1 small red bell pepper, cut in julienne
3-4 scallions, + some for garnish
sprinkle of salt, optional for veggies
1 (16)-ounce frozen large pink shrimp
1/4 tsps. freshly grated ginger
1 tbs. lower sodium soy sauce
freshly ground pepper to taste
6 ounces of bean sprouts

Preparation:

1. Heat olive oil on medium-high heat and sear the meat on both sides until desired doneness. Mine was medium rare, so, it took about 8-10 minutes. After the first 3 minutes, keep flipping it. Cover to accelerate cooking, be sure not to overcook. Adjust level of heat as needed. Set aside.

2. In the same pan, add some sesame oil, pan fry peppers and scallions until desired tenderness. Set aside.

3. Add more sesame oil as needed, stir fry the shrimp, about 3-4 minutes. Set aside.

4. Add the rice, ginger, soy sauce, black pepper, bean sprouts, veggies, steaks and shrimp to the pan. Stir fry until the rice is hot. Taste for seasoning. Adjust as needed. Do not add any more salt! I added the steak and shrimp on top for the photo styling. Garnish with scallions.

Wine pairing suggestions: Gewürztraminer, off-dry Riesling, Moscato D’Asti or a light-bodied Pinot Noir.
Please let me know if you will try this recipe. Should you have any questions, kindly let me know.

Bon Appetit!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Food & Wine Blogger, Sommelier Level 2
WSET Level 2 certified.
Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Italian Wine Scholar
Website: www.foodiewinelover.com
Email: gina@foodiewinelover.com

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

This recipe was inspired by the Pasta Queen on Instagram. It makes for a stunning presentation, but requires some patience. It may take a little practice before shaping the pasta nests. Put on your favorite apron and follow me in Gina’s Kitchen!

Serves: 6-8
Level of difficulty: Intermediate

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

Ingredients:

3/4 lb. thin spaghetti
1 handful of salt for pasta water
¼ – ½ cup reserved pasta water
1 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil + more to drizzle
8 ounces pancetta, chopped
½ – ¾ cup dry white wine
28 oz. can peeled San Marzano tomatoes, crushed*
¼ – ½ cup prepared plain sauce – not included in the photo
10-12 slices Provolone cheese, each rolled and broken into 2 pieces
Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino cheese
Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Preparation:

In a large skillet, on medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Pan fry pancetta until golden brown, 3-5 minutes. Deglaze with wine. Stir for 1-2 minutes. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, and reserved pasta water. Lower the flame, and simmer for at least 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Preheat oven to 350-degree Farenheight.

While the sauce is cooking, bring the pasta water to a boil. Add salt. Cook pasta al dente. Reserve some water before draining it (follow the recipe). Drop the pasta in the tomato sauce. Mix well until every strand of pasta is coated with the sauce. Use a fork or thongs to shape the little nests in a ladle. (Should yield about 8-10 pasta nests depending on their sizes.) Place each nest in a medium to large metal baking pan. Add any leftover sauce on top. Nestle 2 pieces of cheese in the center of each nest and sprinkle it with the grated cheese.

Bake for about 5-8 minutes until the cheese has melted. Remove. Garnish each pasta nest with a basil leaf, and drizzle liberally with olive oil.

Your guests will appreciate this gorgeous spaghetti bake as well as the tastiness of the dish. Use a spatula to serve the pasta.

Cook’s notes: you can crush the tomatoes by hand or use a potato masher.

Wine Pairing Suggestions: Sangiovese-based wines such as Chianti Classico or Rosso di Montalcino. A Montepulciano d’Abruzzo would work as well.

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

Sultry Spaghetti Nests

Please let me know when you make this! It’s a crowd pleaser!

All photos are my own. All rights reserved

Buon Appetito!

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier & Italian Wine Scholar
Winner of 2019 Italian Wines “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award, held in Puglia, Italy
Brand Strategist

Middle Eastern’s Style Rice

Lebanese-Style Rice

This Middle Eastern’s style rice dish will jazz things up by adding a festive touch to a celebration dinner. It will grace your table and make the perfect accompaniment to any main dish. The recipe can be divided to feed fewer people.

Difficulty level: easy to intermediate
Serves 6-8 as a side dish

Ingredients:

3 cups long-grain rice or Basmati
6 cups lower-sodium chicken broth*
3 tbs. olive oil (+ more to drizzle (optional)
1/4 lb. angel hair, broken in pieces
Salt to taste
4 ounces of pine nuts, toasted separately
Flat-leaf parsley for garnish

Preparation:

In a large bottom pan with a lid, heat oil over medium-high heat, fry the noodles until golden brown (be careful not to burn them) add the rice. Add the chicken broth and salt. Stir once, bring to a boil, lower to the flame to the lowest setting. Cover and simmer for about 18 minutes. Remove from the burner. Let it sit for 4 minutes covered. While the rice is cooking, toast your pine nuts in a pan on medium heat until golden brown. Remove. Set aside.

Fluff the rice with a fork, place on a platter or tray, garnish with toasted pine nuts, and parsley. Drizzle with olive oil.

Always read the cooking instructions on the rice packages. The ratio for liquid to rice varies depending on the brand and/or variety. This decadent side dish complemented a filet mignon in a cream peppercorn sauce to perfection.

Middle Eastern's Style Rice

Middle Eastern’s Style Rice

 

This dish contains nuts!!! Please be aware of allergies. I hope you will try this dish, and when you do, please let me know how much you enjoy it.

Happy New Year from Gina’s Kitchen to Yours!
Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures: https://foodiewinelover.wordpress.com/product/cookbook/
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier & Italian Wine Scholar Student (Unit 1 completed)
Winner of 2019 Italian Wines “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award, held in Puglia, Italy
Brand Strategist

Scrumptious Stuffed Shells & Sangiovese 

Chianti Classico

Chianti Classico

Food & wine pairings create many emotions; if done right, they are both great givers of happiness. 🍝🍷🥰
Today, I am sharing with you a recipe for stuffed shells that I paired with a lovely Chianti Classico. The idea is to keep it simple and minimize cleaning in the kitchen. This recipe serves 6 with a side of salad. The level of difficulty is easy to intermediate.
Scrumptious Stuffed Shells & Sangiovese

 

Ingredients:

1 (12-ounce) box jumbo shells*
1 handful of salt for pasta water
24 oz. jar – plain marinara sauce
8 ounces of fresh mozzarella, cut up
1 (15 oz) container of whole milk ricotta
Freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano, to taste

Preparation: 

Boil pasta in salted water for 6-7 minutes. Drain.
Preheat the oven to 350°F

In the meantime, on the bottom of a large glass baking dish, spread some tomato sauce. Fill each shell with 1 teaspoon of ricotta cheese and place them in a single layer on the baking dish. Drizzle with tomato sauce. Place a piece of mozzarella in each shell. Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese. Voila!

Bake for about 45-50 minutes until you see the sauce bubbling.
Cook’s notes. I used about 27 shells. (There will be some unused shells)

Wine pairing: Renieri 2018 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG. This wine is made with 100% Sangiovese, and the grapes are cultivated in the southernmost part of the Chianti Classico zone, in the town of Castelnuovo Berardegna. The warm temperatures produce bigger and riper wines.
The aromas and flavors include cedar, leather, oak, underbrush, red juicy cherries, vanilla, tobacco leaves, mushrooms, and earthy characters. The tannins are supple and supported by vibrant acidity, leading to a long finish with a hint of chocolate. A superb wine, but I don’t believe it deserves 95 points. My opinion!

This wine complemented the stuffed shells to sublimeness.

Happy Cooking & Sipping

Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
Food & Wine Blogger, Recipe Developer, Sommelier Level 2 and WSET Level 2 certified.
Cookbook Author: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Website: www.foodiewinelover.com

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

It’s been raining here, and I needed some comfort food to cheer me up. I made braised short ribs simmered in a tomato sauce and paired them with a Nero d’Avola. It is the flagship grape of Sicily. Mille e Una Notte translates to A Thousand and One Night and comprises predominantly of Nero d’Avola. This wine boasts violet hues and shows great concentration. The nose delivers aromas of dark fruits, blackberry, plum, savory and sweet spices, and a hint of earthiness. The mouthfeel is silky and mirrors the nose with additional flavors of dark chocolate, baking spices, hints of black pepper, nutmeg, and licorice. The finish is lingering, and this wine has the potential for long cellaring. Below is the recipe for the short ribs.

Braised Short Ribs in Tomato Sauce

Ingredients:

6 short ribs (about 3 lbs.)
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
olive oil for frying
5-6 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 (32) oz prepared plain tomato sauce
1/4 cup water
1 (26.46) Pomi strained tomatoes
Flat leaf parsley, plus more for garnish
1 lb. spaghetti or any pasta of your choice
1 handful of salt for the pasta water
Parmigiano Reggiano

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350-degree Fahrenheit.

1. In the meantime, liberally season the short ribs with salt & pepper. In a Deutch oven on medium-high heat, heat 2-3 tbs. olive oil, sear 3 short ribs for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove. Sear the second batch. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same pan, add more oil if needed, sauté the garlic for 1-2 minutes, and deglaze with the wine for 1-2-minutes. Add in the tomatoes, water, parsley, and ribs. Bring to a gentle boil and turn off the burner. Cover.
3. Place the pan in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until the meat is tender.
4. While the short ribs are cooking, bring the pasta water to a boil, and add a handful of salt. Cook according to package directions or al dente.
5. Serve with grated Parmigiano Reggiano or local Parmesan cheese.

Cook’s Note regarding Italian traditions: if you want to eat like the Italians, serve the pasta first, followed by the short ribs. Here in the US, we tend to serve them on the same plate.

While the wine and the dish were delicious on their own, a brown sauce would have made a better pairing with this outstanding wine. The acidity in the tomato sauce overpowered the wine and mellowed its flavors. Either way, the food and the wine were both super stars, but they didn’t get long together.

I hope you will give this recipe a try! I recommend this wine for a special occasion and stick with a Sangiovese-based red wine for an ideal pairing.

Happy Cooking & Sipping from Gina’s Kitchen!
Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
Level-2 Certified Sommelier & Italian Wine Scholar Student (Unit 1 completed)
Winner of 2019 Italian Wines “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award, held in Puglia, Italy
Brand Strategist

Curry Shrimp with Rice, Don’t Forget the Riesling!

Curry Shrimp with Rice

A couple of times a week, I cook for a small crowd, and I generally use a one-pot meal because it makes life so much easier. Today, I am making Curry Shrimp with Rice. Grab your apron and follow me in Gina’s Kitchen. This recipe is a Covid-19 edition, using some frozen ingredients and what’s available at the time. I think, all in all, it’s healthy and somewhat affordable. 

Curry Shrimp with Rice

Curry Shrimp with Rice


Serves: 6-8   –  Level of difficulty: Easy to intermediate

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon curry powder
  • 2 pinches of garlic powder
  • 2 cups Jasmine rice
  • 1/2 – 3/4 cup mixed frozen veggies: carrots, green beans,
    corn, peas and lima beans, thawed
  • 3. 3/4 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 pounds small frozen shrimp, already peeled and deveined,
    remove the tails, thawed.

    Preparation    :

    1. In a large heavy-bottom pan (with a tight lid) over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Sauté onions for 1-2 minutes, add curry powder, garlic powder, stir fry for another 2 minutes. Add the rice. Stir a couple of times.
    2. Add the veggies, water, salt, pepper. Stir well. Arrange the shrimp on top. Bring to a boil. Lower the flame to the lowest setting. Cover tightly and simmer for about 20-25 minutes.

    There may be some rice stuck on the bottom of the pan. It’s perfectly fine and adds crunchiness to the dish. Serve it in the pot. The idea is to make cleaning easier.

    Curry Shrimp with Rice paired with Riesling

    Curry Shrimp with Rice Paired with Riesling


    Wine pairing suggestion    :  An off-dry Riesling or any dry white wine of your choice.

    This curried shrimp dish is begging for a refreshing wine to pair with it. I choose an aromatic and delicious German Riesling from the Mosel region. Rieslings are food-friendly and pair very well with curry, seafood, spicy, and Thai dishes.

    The mineral character in this wine exhibits a great depth of flavor and is a perfect complement to this meal. This Riesling is off-dry and showing a touch of sweetness with crisp acidity; it intertwines perfectly with the intoxicating flavors of the curry.

    I hope you will try this delectable and easy dish and share your experience with me.

    Happy cooking and happy sipping!

    Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
    Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
    Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
    Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
    Level-2 Certified Sommelier
    Winner of 2019 “Salice Salentino USA Bloggers” Award
    Exclusive photos by Gina Martino Zarcadoolas
    All rights reserved.

Zucchini with Mint is like Summer in a Bowl

Zucchini with Mint

Summertime is synonymous with eating light meals and grilling in the outdoors. In June of 2017, I visited Positano on the Amalfi Coast and dined at the famous Chez Black restaurant. As a side dish, I ordered zucchini marinated in vinegar and mint. It was light, delicious, and healthy. Today, I am sharing with you a similar version called Zucchine alle Scapece that is popular in Naples, Italy. Typically, the zucchini is sliced thin, and fried in peanut or corn oil, but in this recipe, I am grilling them for a healthier option. Not having to turn the stove on is also a great way to keep your house cool. If you are vegan or vegetarian, this dish has your name written all over it. Grab your apron, and let’s get cooking!

Difficulty level: Easy – Serves 3-4 as a side dish

      Ingredients: 

  • 3 zucchini cut lengthwise
  • Salt to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste, optional
  • Extra virgin olive oil, plus more to drizzle on top
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 handful of freshly chopped mint
  • 2 garlic cloves, sliced thin

    Preparation:

    1.Season zucchini with salt and pepper, liberally
    2. Drizzle with olive oil, mix well
    3. Pre-heat grill on medium high, and place the zucchini on a single layer
    4. Cover the grill, and cook for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender, turning occasionally.
    5. Let the zucchini cool off and cut them up in 2-3 pieces. Place them in a medium-sized bowl.
    6. Add vinegar, mint, garlic, and mix well.
    7. Drizzle with olive oil to finishZucchini in Naples, Italy Zucchini in Naples, Italy

    Zucchine alle Scapece

    Zucchine alle Scapece

    Zucchini with Mint in Gina's Kitchen

    Zucchini with Mint in Gina’s Kitchen

     

    I hope you will try this light and summery dish and share your thoughts with me. Until then, enjoy the summer!

    Happy Cooking from my Kitchen to Yours,
    Gina Martino Zarcadoolas, aka Foodiewinelover
    Culinary Personality, Food & Wine Blogger
    Author of the cookbook: Cuisines, Corkscrews & Cultures
    Winner of 2019 “Salice Salentino Bloggers Award”
    Level-2 Certified world-renowned – “WSET: Wine, Spirit, Education, Trust”
    Level-2 Certified Sommelier

    To obtain a signed copy of my cookbook:
    https://atomic-temporary-72612853.wpcomstaging.com/product/cookbook/
    It’s also available on Amazon Italy, Spain, Great Britain, France, Japan, Australia, and more.

Scrumptious Seafood Pasta Dish #2 With a Twist

Scrumptious Seafood Pasta Dish

There’s nothing like having a no-fail recipe in your repertoire, because you know you can always count on the result being the same.  However, having been in the kitchen for so long, I like to challenge myself,  play around, and experiment to change things up a little. This is a spin-off to a dish that I made called Scrumptious Seafood Pasta Dish. The method is very similar, but I added some roasted red bell peppers. The result was equally as delicious. Follow me in My Kitchen!

Roasted bell peppers

Serves: 4-6
Degree of difficulty: Easy – Medium

You will need a brown paper bag

Ingredients:  

  • 1.5 lb. sea scallops
  • 1/2 jug of clam juice – About 5-6 ounces
  • 1/2 cup of Chardonnay wine
  • 2-3 Tbsp. Olive oil
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
  • 2 red bell peppers, roasted/charred (the twist) rough chopped *
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup pasta water, if needed *
  • 2-3 Tbsp. butter
  • Grated Parmigiano Reggiano, (Parmesan cheese)
  • 3-4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 tsp. Oregano
  • Few leaves of basil, chopped in a chiffonade style
  • 1 lb. Linguine

Preparation:

1) Wash peppers, and broil them whole,  on high for about 10-15 minutes depending how close they are to the burner. Turn them occasionally, using a mitten. Once they are charred all around, remove them from the oven. Place them in a brown paper bag and close it. Let it sit in there for about 15 minutes. This step will make it easier to remove the skin. It should peel off easily. If not, use a knife to remove the skin. Set aside.

2) On Medium-high heat, drizzle the olive oil on the bottom of a 6-quart pan.  Sautee the garlic, as soon as it releases its aroma, drop the scallops and deglaze with the wine. This should take a couple of minutes.

3)   Add the tomatoes, bell peppers, clam juice and season with salt, pepper, oregano. Slowly add the heavy cream and stir.  Lower the heat and bring to a quick simmer. This does not take long as you do NOT want to overcook the scallops. They will become chewy. Remove from burner. 

4) Simultaneously,  bring water to a boil for the pasta and cook according to package directions. I like to cook it al dente, (to the bite).  Once pasta is cooked, drain it, and reserve 1/4 cup of the water. Drop pasta  into the scallop sauce, and add pasta water if necessary.  Put the pan back on the burner, swirl in the butter for some added richness, and give it a good stir. This is all done at very low heat to warm it up. Garnish with the basil at the end so they don’t wilt.  Now, it’s time to plate. Sprinkle with cheese and voilà, the result is a lip smacking delicious pasta dish.

I hope you will try this delectable recipe that will have your loved ones begging for seconds.  Have a fantastic new week!

Wine pairing suggestions: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc. For a special occasion, pair this dish with a nice Viognier, and you will wow your guests.

Scrumptious Seafood Pasta Dish #2

Scrumptious Seafood Pasta Dish #2

Scrumptious Seafood Pasta Dish

Scrumptious Seafood Pasta Dish

*Cook’s tips:

1) You can grill, roast or broil the peppers. The broiler was the most convenient for me.

2) You probably won’t need the pasta water in this version. There should be plenty of sauce to coat the linguine. Use your judgment.

3) As you can see, I didn’t use all the seafood that I used in the original dish. You are more than welcome to use them, if you want.

Happy Cooking and Cheers from Gina’s Kitchen! 

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