by Dana | Feb 23, 2018 | Appetizers, Dressings and Sauces, Easy Recipe, Pasta, Recipes, Salads, Seafood, Side Dishes, Snacks
Shrimp Pasta Salad, a perfect side dish, lunch, or party food! This cold shrimp pasta salad has all the good stuff - bowtie pasta, grape tomatoes, zucchini, and shrimp all tossed in a yummy pesto vinaigrette. It is a little different than your average pasta salad, but isn’t it fun to mix it up sometimes?! Pasta salad, in general, is one of my favorite summer snacks. You can load them up with fresh veggies and you have a refreshing snack for you in the fridge whenever you want! This recipe is the best shrimp pasta salad I have tried. I think it is really all about that dressing you use! The dressing for this recipe is super bright, flavorful, and easy to make! Of course, you can purchase a premade Italian style dressing. But, there is just something special about making it on your own. Shrimp and Pasta Salad Recipe Directions: Cook Pasta per the direction on the back of the box, rinse with cold water and let drain thoroughly. Roughly chop the cooked shrimp, thinly slice the zucchini, and cut the grape tomatoes in half. Throw everything into a large bowl. In a small bowl, make the dressing consisting of vinegar, olive oil, dijon mustard, prepared pesto, and more. Place pasta in the bowl with the other ingredients, pour the dressing on top and mix everything until well coated. Cover and place in the fridge for at least an hour, serve and enjoy. As with most recipes, you can use this as a base to add more things that you love. Alternatives and Add-Ons: You can definitely add lots...
by Camila | Aug 23, 2017 | Pasta, Recipes, Seafood
The first time I had shrimp was when I was on a family trip on the Oregon coast. We were staying in a little town called Bandon, which is one of the cutest and most lovely coastal towns! I was middle school age and we were at a little hole in the wall restaurant eating lunch. My mom got the shrimp cocktail and having never tried it before she let me have a bite. I’d like to say it was love at first bite, but my undeveloped taste buds did not enjoy this new taste or texture called shrimp. Thankfully though, several years later I gave it another try and absolutely loved it! Have you guys ever tried something as a kid and didn’t like it, only to love it as an adult? These days my husband and I can eat shrimp like it’s going out of style! We love it plain, in tacos like our mango chicken tacos or even pasta! What ways do you guys like to eat shrimp? This recipe for shrimp pasta is delicious and filling! For this dish, you can either go with the homemade pesto route but if you are in a hurry and don’t have fresh pesto you can use store bought. 5 from 1 vote Print Shrimp Garden Pasta This pasta is perfect for summer time. It features shrimp, fresh veggies, feta cheese and whole wheat pasta in a light pesto sauce. It's easy to put together and simply finger-licking good! Author Camila and Lisa Ingredients 8 oz whole wheat pasta I used Farfalle 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 garlic cloves minced...
by Kami | Jul 15, 2015 | Pasta, Recipes, Salads
Summer is busy. BUT it’s the good busy. Family BBQs, reunions, trips, and simply just enjoying the beautiful weather. With all this fun, who wants to spend lots of time in the kitchen? Not this girl! I’m all about the quick and easy recipes during the summer. However, doesn’t mean we need to skimp on the healthy side. This easy Italian pasta salad is quick to throw together and will be gobbled up at any family function… including dinnertime tonight. I like to think I’m a pretty nice person, but when it comes to some things… I’m a total snob. Such as water. I’m a total water snob. I’m a HUGE water lover and drink around 3 liters each day. Play one round of my health challenge and you’ll get me. Water does not taste the same! I have a few favorites but totally loving my alkaline ionized water from the wellness center. Just like my water, I’m pretty attached to quality ingredients. The couple extra pennies make a HUGE difference for my tastebuds and health. I’ll share a couple tips on how to make this salad as tasty as possible. I recently found Garfalo pasta at Costco and instantly could taste the quality. Cheaper pastas seem to either get mushy or rubbery when cooked. Higher quality, like Garofalo, has better flavor and texture than regular store bought pasta. I’m hooked. Cheap pasta… ciao! Same with mozzarella. I usually stay far far away from dairy, but I do add mozzarella to this salad. There’s a vast difference between mozzarella quality. You don’t have to go too crazy, but I recommend purchasing some quality mozzarella for this pasta salad....
by Kami | Jun 1, 2015 | Chicken, Pasta, Recipes
Sometimes I want something light for dinner. And by light, I mean no heavy sauce but still rockin’ with flavor and satisfying. I played around with this light olive oil sauce a couple times until my husband actually requested it! Totally caught me by surprise since my steak-and-potato man usually doesn’t enjoy lighter dishes…. shows how amazingly tasty my garlic chicken pasta recipe turned out. Have you heard about the controversy between real and fake olive oil? Apparently the Mob or some really scary rich people have been producing olive oil for 20 plus years with less quality oils (canola, sunflower seed, etc.) and claiming it’s 100% olive oil. They might as well take out their huge wallets and smack us across the face! There are home taste tests, refrigerator tests, and other purity tests which can help you determine whether or not the brand of olive oil you’re using is the real deal. AND there’s also controversy within the controversy. So… what do I do with all the conflicting info? My best research and stick with a brand I feel is legit. Unless you want to spend $54 for a small bottle of the most expensive pure olive oil (I looked it up), here are four brands that have passed the standards established by the International Olive Council. Since I love my Costco, I usually go with Kirkland. You may have noticed that I’m a big fan of dinners that combine chicken and vegetables like my Chicken Fiesta Soup, Pineapple Chicken Fried Rice, and my Pasta Primivera recipes. I’m not against side dishes. Especially if the side dish is asparagus with coconut oil. However, I love the combination...
by Kami | Apr 9, 2015 | Chicken, Pasta, Recipes
Did you know April is peak season for asparagus? If you want that crispy bright green with no signs of shriveling, the time is now! There’s nothing worse than stringy or even worse, soggy asparagus. On the other hand, there’s nothing more enjoyable than having it crisp and perfectly cooked. Well, I have the recipe. You just need the asparagus. Okay, pasta primavera is pretty popular. AND it should be. Twirling your fork in a heap of quality pasta, fresh vegetables, and juicy chicken would get anyone’s mouth watering. However… you know the dream can’t all be true since most primavera sauces are loaded with unhealthy ingredients. Not here, my friends. You know I love my healthy substitutes and have created a creamy, tangy sauce which compliments all our lovely vegetables. Also, this dish was so quick to make! If you’re loving the quick-and-pasta combination, check out my Chicken Spaghetti and Spinach Alfredo. I just wanted to give a shout out to Garofalo pasta. Love ya! Remember how I refuse to play yo-yo with your brain and talk about products that I don’t literally have in my kitchen? Well, trust me. I found this pasta at Costco and have not turned back. It’s a ‘product of Italy’ and I’m pretty sure this is what Venice tastes like. Strongly recommend you trying it. You can purchase it in bulk through Amazon (link below) or Costco. Happy Pasta Primavera Day! Well… that’s not really a thing, but when you make this pasta it will make you feel like celebrating. Mangia! Print Fettuccine Primavera Ingredients 8 oz uncooked whole wheat fettuccine 1 Tbs Olive oil 3 large chicken...
by Kami | Apr 9, 2015 | Chicken, Pasta, Recipes
Am I the only one who dreads making dinner some evenings? Don’t be fooled. Even though I love cooking and live for making a healthy meal for my family, some days I’m just not in the mood. Between grocery shopping, cleaning, reading books, time outs, scrubbing little messy hands, and MOST important of all… spending lots of quality time with my kiddos, dinner time sometimes sneaks up and I’m just not prepared. Well, this chicken spaghetti recipe is proof that you don’t need much planning or preparation to pull off a delicious, healthy meal. I was reading a blog the other day where every product discussed had a lengthy disclaimer. It was distracting as she flip flopped between products in which she personally endorsed and then the products she was paid to endorsed. I don’t want to put you on that roller coaster ride. I will not and DO not promote ingredients or products that you cannot find in my very own kitchen. I hope you’ve tried some of my favorite products like Bob’s Red Mill whole wheat pastry flour and Nutiva coconut oil in recipes like my Miracle Whole Wheat Bread and Blueberry Waffles to know they are AMAZING! If you stop by my house, you will find all the products I endorse in my kitchen. Well, unless I need to go grocery shopping. In that case, still come stop by and you can watch my kids which will reduce my grocery shopping time in half. Okay… back to this easy chicken spaghetti recipe. I’m falling more and more in love with food photography. Thanks to the Tasty Food Photography eBook from Pinch of...
