June 15 - Creamy Basil and Tomato Pasta

It's always a choice between marinara sauce and creamy Alfredo sauce. But today, it's a crossover of these two wonderful pasta sauces - creamy basil and tomato.

For a livelier taste, use freshly chopped tomatoes and basil.

Creamy Basil and Tomato Pasta

Ingredients

Olive oil

1 lb jumbo shrimps, peeled and deveined

salt

freshly ground pepper

5 cloves garlic, minced

medium onion, minced

5 ripe vine tomatoes, chopped

1 cup milk

4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

10 fresh basil leaves, chopped

16 oz pasta noodles, preferably angel hair or spaghetti

Cooking Time (30 minutes)

Cook the pasta as instructed (about 8 minutes).

In a wok or big saucepan, heat 4 tbsp olive oil.

Fry the shrimps for 5 minutes.

Season with salt and pepper.

Set the shrimps aside.

Saute the garlic, then the onions in the same pan.

After 5 minutes, add the chopped tomatoes and saute for another 5 minutes.

Add the pasta.

Add the milk, 2 tbsp salt, 1 tsp pepper and 4 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese.

Before serving, add the fresh basil and 2 tbsp olive oil.

Top the pasta with the cooked shrimp.

June 14 - A Delectable Mushroom Sauce for Steaks And Salmon

Creating mushroom sauce without the use of Campbell's cream of mushroom is a challenge.

Kids do not like a strong mushroom taste. So when preparing the sauce with thinly sliced fresh button mushroom, I tried not to overcook the mushroom.

It's great with filet mignon and salmon, as well.

Salmon with Mushroom Sauce

Ingredients
3 Alaskan King Salmon filet (0.4 oz each)
or 3 Filet Mignon steaks (0.4 oz each)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium onion, minced
10 oz fresh button mushrooms, thinly sliced
dash of pepper
1 cup water
2 tbsp brown sugar
8 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp flour
olive oil for cooking



Cooking Time (15 minutes)
Heat up an iron griddle on high heat.
Place 3 tbsp olive oil.
Cook the filet mignon and/or salmon for 7 minutes on each side.
In a medium size saucepan, heat 3 tbsp olive oil.
Saute the garlic and onion for 5 minutes.
Add the mushrooms and saute for another 5 minutes.
Mix the flour, soy sauce and brown sugar with 1 cup of water.
Pour it on the mushroom and stir consistently until the sauce is thick.
Add a dash of freshly ground pepper to taste.
Serve over filet mignon and/or salmon filet.