Blackberry Crunch

I got this recipe from my family's recipe book.  It was submitted by my aunt, Marilyn, who is a fantastic cook!  I was looking for a dessert to make one night for some friends from church who were coming over for a meeting.  I knew I would be getting home from work a little late and wouldn't have tons of time, but I wanted to serve something homemade.  This was super fast and perfect for a cold winter night!

Blackberry Crunch
Ingredients:
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple, undrained (in its own juice)
3 cups blackberries (Marilyn's recipe calls for blueberries, but nearly any berry will do!)
1 package yellow cake mix
1 stick margarine, melted
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Directions:
Grease a 9 x 13 inch pan.  Spread undrained pineapple in pan.  Layer berries over pineapple.  Sprinkle dry cake mix over the berries.  Then pour the melted margarine over all.  Sprinkle top with chopped nuts.  Do not stir.  Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.  Serve warm with ice cream.

And... we're back!

I've been posting on my blog for 3 1/2 years now. I had been doing really well the first 3 years posting about once a week or at least a few times a month, but last summer I went back to school and have had far less free time!  I'm not taking a class this semester, so I hope to be back to posting more often!  I've back blogged a few recipes that I've had time to make recently, so please take a look at those.  For some reason, blogger is not letting me upload photos for my recipes right now, but I'll try to come back later and post pictures.  I'm not sure how often I'll be able to blog, but hopefully you'll see a few new recipes every now and then.  Happy cooking!!

Shrimp Diablo

My friend, Sydney, and I are always exchanging recipes over lunch.  She sent me this one recently after trying herself, and I'm dying to get the chance to make it!  I love spicy seafood, so I know this dish is going to be great!

 

Shrimp Diablo

Ingredients:
1 lb. med. lg. shrimp. Frozen but uncooked. Peeled & deveined.

1 t crushed red pepper flakes

6 T good olive oil

1 1/2 T salt

1/4 C cognac or brandy

4 T minced garlic

1/2 t sugar

28 oz can diced, unflavored tomatoes, drained

1 C dry white wine

1/4 C chopped parsley

1 lb. linguini

1/3 C heavy cream

2 oz. capers, drained & rinsed.

Directions:
1. Get a big pot of salted water on stove to boil. Heat a heavy 12 inch skillet on high for about 4 minutes. This is very important - don't go too fast. The pan needs to be really, really hot. While the pan heats, toss the shrimp with half the red pepper flakes, 2 T of the olive oil and 3/4 t salt. Stir to coat shrimp and let them sit.

2. When pan is ready dump in the shrimp and use a wooden spoon to spread them around in a single layer. Let them sit there for 30 seconds - the bottoms will turn a mottled brown. Remove from the heat and stir the shrimp so the other side is down. Add the brandy and wait a second or two. Put the pan back on the heat and wave a match over the pan until the brandy lights. Watch your eyebrows! Shake the skillet until the flames die down. Pour the whole mess into a holding bowl.

3. Let the skillet cool a bit. Return to a low heat. Add 3 T of the garlic and 3 T of olive oil. Cook the garlic, stirring all the time until it is well cooked - about 6 minutes or until straw colored, not brown.

4. Add the rest of the pepper flakes, 3/4 t salt, sugar, tomatoes and wine. Make sure the tomatoes are drained or you'll have a good tasting but watery sauce. Simmer on medium heat for 8 minutes.

5. While the sauce simmers, add the pasta to the boiling water.

6. Add the shrimp and all their juices, the rest of the garlic and the parsley, Simmer until the shrimp are hot again. Add cream and capers.

7. When the pasta is done, drain - saving 1/3 C of pasta water. Put pasta in a big bowl - add the reserved water back and about 1/2 C of the sauce. Toss well.

8. You can now either add the sauce and serve family style or put the pasta in bowls and top with the sauce.