Lemon Basil Shrimp Pasta Recipe

As the weather is getting warmer, my palate is beginning to change.  As much as I love winter root vegetables, heavy stews and chilli,  I'm ready to move on to fresh and light meals!

Here's a simple pasta I whipped up last night that definitely gave me my fix!

Lemon Basil Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients:

1 package of spaghetti or linguine pasta 

1 tablespoon olive oil

6 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup white wine

1/2 tsp lemon zest

1 lemon juiced

salt and pepper to taste

1 package of peeled and deveined shrimp

3-4 tablespoons butter

1-2  tablespoon chopped fresh basil

Directions:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions - al dente ; drain.

2. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat and saute garlic about 1 minute.  

3. Mix in Chicken broth, wine, lemon juice, zest, salt and pepper.  Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is reduced by half.

3.  Stir in shrimp, butter and basil into the saucepan.  Cook until shrimp is pink ( 2-3 minutes). 

4. Stir in the pasta and continue cooking for another 2 minutes, until well coated.

ENJOY!

Amazing Bread Recipe

On a recent trip out west to visit my family,  I learned how easy it was to make your own bread!

Over the duration of my visit, my sister in law made two loaves - each took about 3 hours to make, start to finish, using a bread maker.  Throwing the ingredients in takes only 5 minutes and the remainder time is the rising and baking (which the machine does for you).

This inspired me to get a bread maker and all I can say is wow-  I have become a bread making machine!

Making your own bread is so easy!   These days It can easily fit into anyone's busy life with program options like cooking overnight (wake up to the smell of fresh bread....sigh)  or "quick bake" which only takes an hour!

It feels so good to know exactly what is going into my bread and it tastes so much better than what you get at the store!   Nothing beats warm bread and butter.

Here is a recipe I have been making most frequently but I hope to post many more!

• Ingredients:
• 
  
• 1 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2 tablespoons white sugar  (I use a bit less)
• 1 (.25 ounce) package bread machine yeast
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups bread flour  ( I use half whole wheat and half white bread flour)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Place the water, sugar and yeast in the pan of the bread machine. Let the yeast dissolve and foam for 10 minutes. Add the oil, flour and salt to the yeast. Select Basic or White Bread setting, and press Start.