JOANA'S CREATIVE NOTES: November 2008

Nov 30, 2008

Creamy Pesto Shrimp - dinner tuesday

1/2 pound linguine pasta
1/4 cup butter
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons and 2 teaspoons pesto
1/2 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add linguine pasta, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.
In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in cream, and season with pepper. Cook 6 to 8 minutes, stirring constantly.
Stir Parmesan cheese into cream sauce, stirring until thoroughly mixed. Blend in the pesto, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until thickened.
Stir in the shrimp, and cook until they turn pink, about 5 minutes. Serve over the hot linguine.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Creamy-Pesto-Shrimp/Detail.aspx

Curried Coconut Chicken - dinner Monday

1-1/4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper, or to taste
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon curry powder
1/3 onion, thinly sliced
1-1/3 cloves garlic, crushed
2/3 (14 ounce) can coconut milk
2/3 (14.5 ounce) can stewed, diced tomatoes
2/3 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons sugar

Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
Heat oil and curry powder in a large skillet over medium-high heat for two minutes. Stir in onions and garlic, and cook 1 minute more. Add chicken, tossing lightly to coat with curry oil. Reduce heat to medium, and cook for 7 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink in center and juices run clear.
Pour coconut milk, tomatoes, tomato sauce, and sugar into the pan, and stir to combine. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Curried-Coconut-Chicken/Detail.aspx

Bell Jars - todays obsession

Nov 25, 2008

Mint Julep Cups

Mint Julep, a Southern tradition consisting of bourbon, sugar, ice and mint, was originally drank from a silver cup, thus the modern-day "Mint Julep Cup". But this cup, in its many variations, has evolved - now most commonly used as a vase.

A mint julep is traditionally made of four ingredients: mint, bourbon, sugar and water. In the use of sugar and mint, it is similar to the mojito.

Nov 23, 2008

Plush animal rockers

Polka dots and monkies

Nov 22, 2008

SUZANI

"Suzani" means needlework, but to most collectors, the word has a more specific meaning: "suzani" is synonymous with the glorious embroideries of Uzbekistan, in Central Asia.