Alfonso XIII Paella

Alfonso XIII, Madrid, Spain, European Travel, Adventure, Metro, Tour

Inspiration:

Well, this recipe is a tribute to my girls of Alfonso XIII.  When I was living in Madrid my roommate, Emily, and our good friend, Danielle, and I all lived at the Metro stop of Alfonso XIII.  This was our point for departure for various adventures in Madrid. I hope this paella provides a culinary adventure for you!

Ingredients:

1/2 chopped red bell pepper

3/4 c chopped eggplant

1 sweet onion diced

1-2 cloves of minced garlic

Paprika

Sea Salt

1 c white rice

3 c Chicken Broth

Saffron

3/4 lb. of peeled, deveined wild shrimp

1 c Shredded Chicken

1 c frozen artichoke hearts

1 can of rinsed chickpeas or garbanzo beans

2-4 T chopped Flat leaf parsley

Directions:

1. Heat pan with tight-fitting lid to medium high heat.  Add a couple turns of olive oil.

2. Add first three veggies and saute until tender.

3.  Push veggies to the side.  Add a little pool of olive oil in the center of the pan.  To it add the minced garlic.

4. Lightly season veggies with sea salt and paprika.

5. Add  rice to the veggie mixture.  Stir around to coat rice with the oil and lightly cook.

6. Add chicken broth as well as a pinch (a few threads) of saffron to the dish.

7. Add shrimp, chicken, and artichoke hearts to the pan.

8. Bring pan up to a bubble.  Then turn down to simmer, place lid on top and allow to cook for about 15 minutes.

9. Once rice and shrimp are tender, add garbanzo beans, season liberally with salt, add a little extra paprika, and a turn or so of olive oil.

10. Stir together, cover and cook for another 5 minutes or less to allow flavors to meld.

11.  Serve and eat!

June 13, 2011. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Cooking, Recipes. Leave a comment.

Quick Shrimp Cobb Salad

An array of vegetables form delicious, healthy salad

The possibilities with fresh vegetable salads are endless.

This recipe is easy peasy and healthy.  It is great for a light dinner, or for a ladies luncheon kind of a thing.

Quick Shrimp Cobb Salad (for two):


Ingredients:

  • 1 head of washed chopped Romaine Lettuce
  • Lots o’ matchstick carrots or diced/sliced carrots
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 4 pieces of Bacon cooked and crumbled/chopped
  • 2/3-3/4 lb. peeled deveined shrimp
  • Salt, pepper, and paprika

Directions:

1. Lay a bed of greens on a plate and top with the veggies and bacon.

2. In a pan that has heated on medium high, add a couple turns of olive oil to the pan.  Allow to heat for 10 seconds or so, and then add the shrimp.  Cook until the shrimp is done and they form ‘C’ shapes.  Season to taste with salt, pepper, and paprika.

3. Scatter the salad with the shrimp.

4. Serve with lemon wedges for squeezing and olive oil.  No dressing is required.  The lemon and olive oil mixed around with the creamy avocado makes its own ‘dressing.’

Adapted from: Shrimp Cobb Salad

Healthy and delish!

May 13, 2011. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Cooking, Recipes. Leave a comment.

Erica’s Brown Bag Lunch

Last summer my husband purchased Rosie, a used fishing boat.  Rosie is used mostly for fishing purposes, but she can get you from Point A to Point B on Lake Travis just fine.  One of my favorite weekend activities is when we go and anchor Rosie in the lake and have lunch, drinks, and bob around in the water.  Last summer, doing so was a bit of a daunting task.  I didn’t know how to pack a simple lunch , so I was always making big complicated salads and bringing containers filled with olive oil.  I was sure there was a simpler but tasty lunch option for me.  Well there is, my Apple and Herb Turkey Sandwich is my ‘go to’ when I’m on the go.  (See Applegate link in ‘My Pantry’)  I pair it with some Good Health Olive Oil Potato Chips (Popchips are awesome too.  See ‘My Pantry’), fruit, and maybe even some of my homemade allergy-free baked gods, like my Chocolate Chip Cookies I’m soon to share, and I’m good to go!  I hope this short video inspires you to create your own Brown Bag Lunch!

April 15, 2011. Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Uncategorized. Leave a comment.