Countertop idea updates

I recently had new countertops installed in my kitchen and bathrooms.

I looked and so many different style, designs and colors that I really was more than confused.  I was totally overwhelmed and frustrated.

So after going back and forth to tile showrooms which show you slabs and isles of slabs in granite, quartzite, quartz, marble and more than I imagined I finally but slightly reluctantly chose a granite for kitchen ( because of durability )and quartz for baths.   I had worried about heat tolerance with quartz.  (I bake and cook a lot )and I am not the most careful and quite honestly I think a kitchen should be used and not a showplace.

I will be adding to this post so check back to see some of my ideas for you.

First being never say never to colors you think won’t compliment your decor.

I never thought of grey, brown and cream to be a choice.  I had thought the granite was more cream than grey! Nope!  Lots of light grey in it and splashes of brown and rust. So don’t count out colors you think are not compatible.

Two

Go out of the box in bath especially.  Colorful walls and accented colors for your fun, elegant or tailored look. .  I chose a white with spider type neural color countertop so I was able to pick any color to accent.

My choice green walls and blue accents!  

Master bath with double sinks.

This is guest bath below photos 

Lemony shrimp scampi with farfalle

When I’m in doubt of what to make for dinner this is one of my favorite meals.

I have found using a little lemon either fresh or lemon juice, paprika, parsley, minced garlic, cheese and a little either vegetable or chicken broth really adds depth to this meal.

The ingredients are listed below.

Enjoy!

1lb. Cleaned and deveined large cooked shrimp

1 stick butter

1/4 cup olive oil

1 tsp. Paprika 

1/4 cup dried parsley

3 cloves minced garlic

1/4 cup lemon juice

1lb. Farfalle cooked a’dente (reserve 1/2 cup water)

1/4 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Place butter in a large sauté pan.  Add olive oil and garlic.  Simmer slowly until garlic starts to simmer

And is fragrant.   Add lemon juice, then chicken broth and shrimp.   Stir gently .  Add cooked farfalle. If  farfalle appears dry add chicken broth to moisten. Add Parmesan cheese and serve. 

Note:   most of my herbs I use with a heavy hand.  I love good flavor.  You’ll know it’s going to be good when your house smells awesome!

Salad was our side.

Romaine, cucumber, tomato, sweet onion,dried parsley, salt, pepper, virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Toss well and serve cold!

Salisbury Steak Meatballs

It is getting harder and harder to come up with easy meals that require little work and can be made from start to finish in a little over an hour.

I had bought some fresh ground round steak at the store the other day and I had intended on making some burgers with it but wanted something a little different.

It's over 6 years that I have been bringing recipes from my kitchen to yours and I'm needing some assistence for some variety.  I'll be adapting recipes I think are of interest and easy to make for a little change. Hope you continue to like what you see and find a few more selections for dinner at your house.

Enjoy!

I adapted a recipe to my liking and it's a nice change.

l lb. lean ground round (I'm sure you can use lean chuck or lean beef too)
1 tsp. salt
pepper to taste
1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
1 T. ketscup
1 tsp. dry mustard
1/4 cup beef broth
dash of Worcestershire if you like(I eliminated it)

1 T butter
1 T. olive oil
 1 medium onion sliced thin
2 cups beef broth

Mix meat mixture and form into meatballs size balls.

In a large deep skillet on medium to low heat place butter and olive oil.  Place meatballs and fry until browned on all sides. Remove meatballs from skillet and drain any excess grease.

In the same skillet place thinly slice onions and fry slowly until browned and slightly tender while scrapping pan. Add 2 cups of beef broth and simmer for a few minutes. Add meatballs and simmer until meatballs are warmed.  

To thicken mixture if you like you can thicken mixture before adding meatballs with a little cornstarch.


Serve with mashed potatoes. 

adapted from Ree Drummond

Re-post 8/20/22

Ricotta seasoned zucchini boats

I watched a video of these ricotta zucchini boats being made so it’s my adaption of the recipe.

1 washed and sliced lengthwise (1)zucchini  (scrape and hollow out center with a teaspoon)

Sprinkle with salt.  On a cookie sheet place zucchini and Bake 400° approximately 30 minutes.

Remove from oven.  Cool slightly.

In a small pan place about 1/4 cup olive oil and 

One (1)clove garlic minced

Heat on LOW until you can smell the garlic.  Do not burn.  Remove from heat to cool.

While zucchini is baking in a medium bowl place 4 + ( depending on size of zucchini) heaping tablespoons ricotta 

4 T breadcrumbs 

4 T pecorino Romano cheese

Pinch salt 

1 T dried or fresh parsley ( use more fresh parsley if you have it)

1 lemon squeezed

*** note Add garlic oil you have simmered.

Stir well

 Taste ricotta..add more lemon if needed

*** Note:  My ingredients are estimated.

Now it’s time to fill a’dente Zucchini with ricotta mixture.  Level with small spatula .  Top with a drizzle of olive oil and grated pecorino.  

*** you can use Parmesan if you prefer

On top rack of oven place cookie sheet.  Broil zucchini on low until top of zucchini starts to brown.

Remove and serve.

I served with sides of green beans and potatoes and a 1/2 quartered tomato.  Yummy! 

Panko seasoned shrimp scampi

This meal was served with yellow seasoned rice.

New photo 1/17/2023

Quick and easy way to make dinner!

Delicious generously seasoned shrimp sautéed 

with a generous amount butter, olive oil, garlic, dried parsley, a whole squeezed lemon and paprika.  To make this already fabulous meal even better I added Panko seasoned bread crumbs right before serving stirring gently to lightly coat the shrimp.  

I did this meal without exact measurements because we were hungry and I needed to get something on our table quickly.

😋

Microwave white and sweet potato

Applesauce as side

Cocktail sauce (optional)

Enjoy!