Shrimp Scampi

According to Caleb I have too many words and not enough pictures.  Also, "pictures are worth a thousand words" in other words, I should show you guys what I do (like a real food blogger does) instead of telling you what I'm doing.  So yesterday, I got some of our fresh juice, added some protein and headed to the gym.  When I got home I was very excited to start making some shrimp scampi.  I got the idea from Pioneer Woman's Easy Shrimp Pasta.  Also, Caleb's mom gave us a recipe for Shrimp Scampi about a year ago and we love that! It is just mostly butter, so I found this recipe which has tomatoes. 

So I started some salty water for the pasta, and in my skillet I have EVOO and butter.

So then I add a spoonful of garlic and a can of diced tomatoes.

Also in case your wondering, this is my garlic container.  This is so that I can add spoonfuls of garlic and not have to mince it each time!

Then I add some chicken broth, white wine, fresh parsley, and dried oregano, thyme, basil, and rosemary (basically everything remotely Italian).  I stirred and allowed it to just mix up.

While this was simmering I made up some Roasted Tomatoes.  I sliced them up and threw them in the oven with some Italian seasoning and Parmesan cheese. 

Then, once all is said and done, they come out looking like this.  (cook for about 20 minutes at 450 degrees).

Then I made up some of mine and Caleb's very favorite homemade salad dressing.  Its super simple, just whisk together: dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil).  I whisked with a fork apparently...

Then I started on the bread for the meal.  Just sliced up some Italian bread and buttered it with country crock, parmesan cheese, and some Italian seasoning. I threw it in the oven and this was the end result.

So then I added the shrimp to the sauce. (It was pre-cooked so I just stirred it around a little to warm it up.)

Then I added the whole wheat pasta.  It was steaming up real good and made the kitchen smell divine! Now at this point I should have added some fresh lemon juice.. but I got so excited about preparing dessert that I forgot! It was still tastey, but if you are making this, please add the lemon juice!

So before I plated up all this stuff I made dessert.  I made s'mores chocolate chip cookies!  That is not exactly the recipe I used.  For mine, I simply just grab a chunk of cookie dough with my hands and form a little bowl and added several marshmallows and some mini chocolate chips. 

Then, for the lid, I formed a flat cookie topping, I rolled it around until it made a nice little cookie ball filled with marshmallow and chocolate chips. And this is what it looks like before it goes in the oven.

So I pop those in the oven and Caleb and I start on dinner! after scooping the pasta on the plate (use tongs and put them on the plate while twisting the plate, it makes a nice big pile instead of a flat mess)  I added some parmesan cheese and fresh parsley. 

Here you can see our feast (it was way too much food again, it seems my portion control is concentrating on leftovers).  I tried to offer some to Kristian, but she declined due to it being pasta... Also we are going out for Caleb's birthday and I think the large amount of hibachi we will be feasting on has something to do with it.

So after we finish our meal, the timer beeps and these babies come out. 

Needless to say, they were delicious and gone in sixty seconds. 


Also, I would like to add a very special Happy Birthday to Caleb, my loving fiance, best friend, and soul mate.  I am so excited for what our lies ahead in our lives.  He is my better half, making every day better than the last.  I love you, Caleb!