Category: Main Dishes

Quick & Easy Shrimp Over Pasta

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Keeping frozen shrimp on hand is one of the best ways to make a quick & easy weeknight meal or a last-minute company dinner.  Frozen shrimp along with some pantry staples, we created a delicious Mediterranean-style dinner that our family loved. Add a simple salad and enjoy.  PS: They all went for seconds!

 

 

Quick & Easy Shrimp over Pasta

Quick & Easy Shrimp Dinner
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5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 514kcal
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Equipment

  • Large skillet with cover
  • Large rimmed baking sheet
  • Large pasta pot

Ingredients 

  • 2 pounds shrimp, large or colossal size, peeled & deveined, tails on
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 10-12 large garlic cloves with skin on
  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp EVOO to drizzle over tomatoes & garlic
  • 2 Tbsp EVOO, for skillet
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1-2 cups leftover green vegetables, we used leftover green beans
  • 4 Tbsp butter, separated
  • 1 lb pasta, we used what we had on hand, bucatini
  • Pecorino Romano grated cheese, for garnish

Instructions

  • Line a large rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper or aluminum foil.  Turn oven to broil. Once hot, reduce the oven temperature to 425º.
  • Wash tomatoes then coat them along with the whole cloves of garlic (skin on) with 1-2 Tablespoons of EVOO. Sprinkle with salt. Combine well. Place on the lined baking sheet.
  • Place baking sheet on the top oven rack and bake for 15-20 minutes at  425ºF, until tomatoes blister & garlic is soft.
  • Bring a large pasta pot filled with water to a boil. Follow the directions on the pasta box.
  • When the tomatoes are blistered and the garlic is soft, remove the pan from the oven. Set aside until the shrimp are ready. Save the juice from the garlic & tomatoes.
  • In a large, skillet, saute the shrimp in hot EVOO & half the butter. Add 2-3 Tablespoons of tomato paste and 1 cup of chicken broth. Combine well. Cook until shrimp are opaque but not overcooked.
  • Removed the charred and juicy cherry tomatoes from the oven. Remove the whole garlic cloves and squeeze them out of their skins. Mash garlic with a fork and add to the skillet along with all the wonderful tomato juices from the pan with the tomatoes. Combine well. Add the remaining butter then bring to a simmer for about 1 minute. Remove from heat & serve over your favorite pasta.
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 514kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 192mg | Sodium: 1436mg | Potassium: 788mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2601IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 3mg

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

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Incredibly Delicious Gemelli Pasta with Tuscan Chicken

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Incredibly Delicious Gemelli Pasta with Tuscan Chicken

Gemelli pasta with Tuscan Chicken & Sundried Tomatoes is incredibly rich in flavor but not a heavy sauce.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 514kcal
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 Large plate
  • 1 baking pan at least 2" high, large enough to hold all 6 chicken breasts without crowding the pan so there is enough room for all the delicious sauce.
  • instant-read thermometer

Ingredients 

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 3 Large Chicken Breasts , slice in half lengthwise
  • 4-6 large garlic cloves , minced
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp red pepper flakes ,1/2 tsp if less spice desired
  • 1 ½ cup chicken bone broth , or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 8.5 oz jar sundried tomatoes , chopped (we use California Sun Dry Sun-dried Tomatoes Julienne cut)
  • 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano
  • Fresh Basil for garnish
  • 1 lb. Gemelli pasta , cook according to package directions

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. In a large oven-safe skillet heat the oil over medium-high heat.
  • Season chicken breasts lightly with salt & pepper. Sear until golden brown, about 4 minutes on each side. Transfer chicken to a plate.
  • Heat the same skillet to medium heat. Add garlic. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the thyme, red pepper flakes, chicken broth, and heavy cream. Cook for 5 minutes stirring often.
  • Stir in the sundried tomatoes and Pecorino Romano grated cheese.
  • Place the seared chicken in the baking pan, then baste the chicken breasts with the sauce. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F (about 12-18 minutes depending on the thickness of the chicken breast). Garnish with basil or parsley and additional grated cheese (optional).
  • Serve over your favorite pasta or rice.

Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 514kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 244mg | Potassium: 244mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 765IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 231mg | Iron: 2mg

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

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Baked Cod with Bread Crumbs over Tagliarelle in Lemon Butter Sauce

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Baked cod with bread crumbs is our newest weeknight go to dinner. Serving it over Cipriani’s Tagliarelle  (aka tagliatelle from other brands) pasta is just heavenly.   The bread crumbs add so much flavor to both the cod and the pasta.  The reason we recommend  Cipriani’s brand is  because it’s the closest to homemade fresh pasta and cooks in just 3 minutes… a real time-saver! It’s more expensive than other brands but well worth it. For added nutrition feel free to add your favorite vegetable either as a side or mixed in with the pasta, Your family will love it!

 

 

Baked Cod with Bread Crumbs over Tagliarelle in Lemon Butter Sauce

Deliciously baked cod topped with flavored bread crumbs served over pasta in a lemon butter sauce
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 671kcal
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Ingredients 

  • 2 lbs cod , cut into 6 portions
  • 1 cup bread crumbs , Italian seasoned
  • 1 cup Pecorino Romano , grated fresh
  • 4 tbsp white wine , dry white wine, we used Sauvignon Blanc
  • 2 tbsp lemon , 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice plus more for serving
  • 1-2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley , plus a sprig for garnish
  • 3/4-1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp sweet paprika , plus more to sprinkle on top
  • 3-4 tbsp salted butter ,to place pats on each cod slice
  • 17 oz Cipriani Tagliarelle (2 boxes of 8.8 oz each - we used 1 box regular & 1 box spinach)
  • 2 ½ sticks butter , salted
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 4 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp lemon zest

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Use a large sheet pan and drizzle olive oil to lightly grease.
  • Fill an 8-10 qt pot with water and bring to a boil. Add salt. Lower heat and cover until ready to cook pasta.
  • Rinse cod and pat fish dry with paper towels. Cut into 6 serving portions then place on the greased pan.
  • Rinse the parsley & pat dry then chop until you have 1 tbsp.
  • In a medium bowl add bread crumbs, grated cheese, white wine, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley, garlic powder, and paprika. Combine with a fork until evenly dampened. If too dry add a tbsp of white wine or lemon juice until evenly dampened.
  • Using a food-grade gloved hand place the bread crumb mixture on top of the entire surface of each piece of fish. Keep piling on until all bread crumbs are used. Pat the topping down so it stays in place.
  • Slice the butter into squares and top each piece of cod with pats of butter in order to evenly distribute the butter to each piece. Use all the butter. Sprinkle more paprika on top and bake for about 20-25 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. (We placed the cooked cod under the broiler for about 1 -2 minutes to crisp up the bread crumbs but that's optional.)
  • If desired, squeeze additional lemon juice over fish
  • In a small saucepan melt the 2 ½ sticks of butter. Add the olive oil, salt, lemon juice, garlic powder, and lemon zest. Cook for a few minutes then pour into a small pitcher to serve with.
  • While fish is baking, bring the pasta water back to boil then add the tagliarelle and cook for 3 minutes. Drain well and place on a large serving platter
  • Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons of the butter sauce on top of the plated pasta then place the fish on top. Any leftover butter sauce can be added to each individual plate as desired. Garnish with fresh grated Pecorino Romano cheese & parsley.
  • Don't forget to scrape up all the fallen bread crumbs from the pan and place them on top of the pasta for extra texture & flavor!

Notes

To make this gluten-free substitute regular seasoned bread crumbs  with Aleia's Gluten-free Italian Bread Crumbs or Ian's GF Italian Bread Crumbs. Any GF pasta will do. This dish will be just as delicious.

Nutrition

Serving: 1portion | Calories: 671kcal | Carbohydrates: 73g | Protein: 46g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 165mg | Sodium: 866mg | Potassium: 918mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 495IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 270mg | Iron: 3mg

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

To make this gluten-free substitute regular seasoned bread crumbs  with Aleia's Gluten-free Italian Bread Crumbs or Ian's GF Italian Bread Crumbs. Any GF pasta will do. This dish will be just as delicious.
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Notes: Cipriani Tagliarelle comes in both regular and spinach which has a beautiful light green color and mixes well with regular for a colorful presentation. If using a different pasta brand than Cipriani Tagliarelle, it will be called Tagliatelle. Cook according to package directions.

Creamy Bow Tie Pasta with Salmon, Sundried Tomatoes, Capers & Peas

Published on by Twiins in the Kitchen4 Comments

While still living and working on Long Island, one of my favorite restaurants near the office was a renowned Italian restaurant…Mamma Lombardi’s.  My office went there frequently to celebrate special occasions. My friend & co-worker Sue Mercurio and I always ordered their Bow Tie Pasta with Fresh Salmon…our favorite dish.  That dish was always a special treat for us and we savored every bite! Through the years I experimented with recreating this loved meal. So, whenever I make salmon for dinner I usually buy more than I need knowing the leftovers will be used to make a delicious creamy pasta meal. Farfalle is the name you usually find in the pasta section of your grocery store. It’s a medium size pasta in the shape of a bow tie.

I use leftover steamed salmon instead of fresh because it is a time saver; however, you can certainly cook it fresh and still be perfectly delicious.

Barbara and I welcomed in 2023 on New Year’s Day with our husbands & nephew. A special meal for a special day!

Farfalle or Bow Tie Pasta

 

Creamy Bow Tie Pasta with Salmon, Peas, Sundried Tomatoes, & Capers

Deliciously steamed salmon in a creamy, light pink sauce with capers & peas.
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5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 897kcal
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • 1 small bowl
  • 1 8-qt pot for pasta

Ingredients 

  • 1½ lbs Steamed Salmon leftover
  • 1 lb Bow Tie Pasta (Farfalle), Use Gluten-free pasta if gluten is a concern
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsps butter
  • ½ cup onion sliced very thin or chopped
  • 6 oz tomato paste
  • 1 oz lemon juice
  • 1½ - 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 3 - 4 tsps frozen garlic, thawed
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 10 oz sundried tomatoes, packed in oil, use a fork to remove them from the jar
  • 1 pint whipping cream
  • ½ cup Pecorino Romano cheese, grated, about 3 handfuls
  • 2 - 3 tbsp capers
  • 2 cups frozen peas thawed
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  • Bring an 8-qt pot of water to a boil. Salt well
  • In a small bowl combine the defrosted garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, Italian seasoning & Dijon mustard. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet on medium heat, add butter & olive oil. Saute onion until soft & translucent.
  • Meanwhile, add pasta to the boiling water & cook according to the package directions. (About 12-13 minutes) Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water & set aside
  • Add tomato paste, sundried tomatoes, and garlic mixture to the skillet then cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  • Add cream to skillet and simmer until thickened.
  • Add the grated Pecorino Romano & stir until combined.
  • Add the thawed peas & capers Cook until heated through.
  • Add the salmon pieces & cook until heated through.
  • Drain the pasta. remember to reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water
  • Add a few tbsps of reserved pasta water to the sauce to prevent sauce from getting too thick.
  • Place pasta in dishes & top with salmon and sauce.
  • Garnish with parsley & grated cheese. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 897kcal | Carbohydrates: 93g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 535mg | Potassium: 2747mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 2151IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 243mg | Iron: 7mg

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

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Delicious & Easy Salmon En Papillote (parchment paper)😋

Published on by Twiins in the Kitchen1 Comment

If you enjoy eating salmon as we do,  you’ve probably tried many different ways to cook it too. We wanted to try a new way of cooking it that keeps the salmon moist and flavorful. Steaming it in parchment paper turned out to be just what we were looking for. The salmon is tender and flaky with subtly flavored herbs & citrus.

Easy & Delicious Salmon En Papillote (parchment paper)

Delicious steamed salmon cooked in parchment paper
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 384kcal
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Equipment

  • 3 pieces parchment paper, each 18" long
  • 1 - 2 Large rimmed baking sheet
  • large toothpicks or bamboo sticks, to secure parchment paper

Ingredients 

  • 2½ lbs salmon
  • 2-3 medium lemons, sliced into 1/4" rounds
  • lemon zest
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, peeled & thinly sliced
  • ½ large sweet onion, peeled & thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup EVOO divided
  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed (or any seasonal vegetable that you & your family like) thin stalks & cut into bite-size pieces
  • 2 tbsp fresh dill, can substitute with 2-4 tsp dried dill to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Cut salmon into 6 fillets
  • Cut (3) 18" long parchment papers and fold each one in half. Place a few lemon slices on the right side of the fold.
  • Place 2 salmon fillets on top of the lemons for each parchment paper. Sprinkle with salt, pepper & lemon zest. Add sliced onions, garlic & dill on top.
  • Place the asparagus pieces next to the salmon (about 4-5 stalks for each packet). Lightly sprinkle the vegetable with salt.
  • Lightly drizzle EVOO all over the salmon & vegetables. Fold parchment over and crimp then apply toothpicks or bamboo sticks to seal.
  • Place sealed parchment packets onto the rimmed baking sheet and cook for 12 minutes or until internal temperature is between 125° - 130°. Serve promply.

Notes

This recipe has been adapted from Well Seasoned Studio.
If you have thinner salmon fillets begin checking for doneness in 10 minutes.
I used fresh string beans since I was out of asparagus so you will need to cut the string beans into bite-size pieces in order to be tender. I did not cut them and my string beans weren't as tender as I would have liked.
I'm making this again for New Year's Eve so the leftovers will be used on New Year's Day in a creamy bow-tie pasta with peas. (Recipe coming soon)

Nutrition

Serving: 1fillet | Calories: 384kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 104mg | Sodium: 88mg | Potassium: 1167mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 661IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 3mg

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

This recipe has been adapted from Well Seasoned Studio.
If you have thinner salmon fillets begin checking for doneness in 10 minutes.
I used fresh string beans since I was out of asparagus so you will need to cut the string beans into bite-size pieces in order to be tender. I did not cut them and my string beans weren't as tender as I would have liked.
I'm making this again for New Year's Eve so the leftovers will be used on New Year's Day in a creamy bow-tie pasta with peas. (Recipe coming soon)
Tried this recipe? We would love to see!Mention @twiins_in_the_kitchen or tag #twiinsinthekitchen
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Easy Pesto Chicken Casserole 😋😋

Published on by Twiins in the Kitchen3 Comments

If you’re always searching for a new, quick, and easy chicken recipe then this is for you! Not only is it delicious but we hit the Trifecta with it being, Keto-friendly, Low Carb and Gluten-free…did we say delicious? We can’t emphasize enough how delicious this meal is. If homemade pesto is not your thing then by all means use a good store-bought brand.  Today Barbara harvested her first batch of basil and so it was a given it would be tonight’s dinner! Everyone loved it and there were no leftovers…

Easy Pesto Chicken Casserole 😋😋

Easy & delicious chicken casserole that's low carb, Keto-friendly, and gluten-free.
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 283kcal
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Equipment

  • 1 Grill/Fry Pan
  • 1 Large Casserole dish
  • 1 Medium mixing bowl

Ingredients 

  • 8 thin chicken cutlets pound lightly if too thick
  • 1 cup pesto Homemade or store bought
  • 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese
  • 2 cups shredded whole milk mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano Locatelli
  • salt, pepper & Italian seasoning to season chicken, both sides
  • salt, pepper & Italian seasoning to add to ricotta mixture, to taste

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°
  • Season both sides of chicken with salt, pepper & Italian seasoning.
  • In a medium-size bowl, mix togther ricotta, grated pecorino romano, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Set bowl aside.
  • Using a very hot griddle or fry pan, sear each cutlet on both sides. No more than a minute on each side.
  • Place several spoonfuls of pesto to coat the bottom of the casserole dish.
  • Place the seared chicken cutlets on top of the pesto.
  • Spoon the ricotta mixture over the chicken, spreading evenly to cover. Top the ricotta mixture with spoonfuls of pesto. Sprinkle mozzarella on top and bake for 20 - 25 minutes until bubbly and chicken cutlets are cooked through.
  • Serve with a side salad or a vegetable of your choice. If you're not concerned with eating low carb or following a keto diet, serve with your favorite pasta & crusty bread. Enjoy

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 567mg | Potassium: 63mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 977IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 322mg | Iron: 1mg

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

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Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

Mediterranean Mujadara: Lentils, Rice and Onions 😋😋

Published on by Twiins in the Kitchen3 Comments

After recently recovering from Covid-19, I had absolutely no desire to cook! Losing the ability to smell and taste kind of messes with your appetite… I did make 3 batches of chicken soup that I couldn’t taste or smell so not sure if it had any healing powers! Thankfully my senses are back so I was looking for something different to make. I came across a recipe from The Mediterranean Dish for Mujadara. It’s a Lebanese Middle Eastern dish made with black lentils, long grain rice, and onions…lots of onions! Neither Teresa nor I had ever tried this dish before but it sounded really, really good. It was! You can make this as a side with some chicken or as a main dish. All I can say is you have to try it because it’s delicious comfort food with unbelievable flavor and it’s Gluten-free!

Mediterranean Mujadara: Lentils, Rice and Onions 😋😋

Delicious black lentils, rice & lots of onions!
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Cook Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Calories: 296kcal
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Equipment

  • 2 large skillets
  • 1 small bowl for soaking rice
  • 1 small covered saucepan for par-boiling lentils, use to set aside after par-boiling and draining

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup black lentils (sorted and rinsed)
  • 4 cups water , divided
  • ¼ cup EVOO , more for later
  • 2 very large yellow onions , large dice (4 cups)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt , more to taste
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice , soaked in bowl of water for 10-15 inutes then drained & set aside
  • black pepper
  • ½ - 1 tsp cumin , (I used 1/2 tsp)
  • parsley , for garnish

Fried Crispy Onion Garnish

  • 2 -3 Tbsp EVOO
  • 1 very large yellow onion , cut into very thin rings

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, place the lentils with 2 cups of the water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat and simmer, covered until the lentils are par-boiled (10-12 minutes). Remove from heat, drain and set aside back in the saucepan.
  • Place the long-grain white rice in a small bowl. cover with water and let soak for 15 minutes. Rinse and drain then place back into the bowl and set aside.
  • In a large saute or skillet pan with a lid, heat 1/4 cup EVOO over medium-high heat until the oil makes "ribbons". Add the diced onions and cook covered (40 minutes) until dark golden brown, darker than normal caramelized onions. You may lower the heat so they don't burn. Add kosher salt. Stir occasionally and keep the lid on between stirrings.
  • Carefully pour the remaining 2 cups of water into the onions. Bring to a boil over high heat then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in the rice and par-cooked lentils into the onion mixture. Add a good dash of kosher salt, black pepper, and the cumin.
  • Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until liquid has been absorbed and the rice and lentils are both cooked through. (About 15-20 minutes)
  • In a second skillet, heat 2-3 Tablespoons EVOO until hot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot enough add thinly sliced onion rings in batches and fry until they are crispy and deeply golden brown. Remove to a paper towel-lined dish to drain excess oil.
  • Let the rice and lentils rest covered for about 10 minutes undisturbed, then garnish with crispy onions & parsley and transfer to serving bowls.
  • Optional: Add a dollop of plain Greek yogurt and a nice tomato, cucumber salad. You can also add leftover cooked chicken for those that must have "meat" in the dish.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup | Calories: 296kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 400mg | Potassium: 45mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 3mg

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

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par-boil lentils then drain & set aside.
soak rice then drain & set aside.
Dark caramelizing diced onions (40 minutes, covered)
Make the crispy onions for topping.
Combine water, the rice, lentils into onions.
Rice & lentils all absorbed and ready to eat!

 

Thai Chicken Coconut Curry

Published on by Twiins in the Kitchen2 Comments

If you’re a Thai food lover like we are, this recipe is sure to deliver great flavor in a one-pot meal plus cooked rice. It’s so quick and easy to make for any busy weeknight (less than 30 minutes from start to table) or for any special occasion dinner. It touches all the flavors of sweetness, heat, savory, and acidity that you expect from Thai food. You won’t be disappointed… it’s really delicious and naturally gluten free!

Thai Chicken Coconut Curry

Quick Thai Cuisine weeknight diner.
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5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 466kcal
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Equipment

  • 1 Dutch Oven 8 qt

Ingredients 

  • 3-4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large sweet onion, small dice
  • 2 lbs. cooked chicken, cut into bite size pieces
  • 5-6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1-1 ½ Tbsp ginger paste, refrigerated tube
  • 2 tsp coriander, ground
  • 2 13 oz cans Unsweetened coconut milk, full fat (shake well before opening)
  • 1 1/2-2 cups carrots, shredded
  • 4-6 Tbsp red curry paste
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • ½ - 1 tsp black pepper
  • 16 oz baby spinach fresh
  • 2 limes juiced
  • ¼ cup cilantro, freshly chopped & divided
  • 2-4 Tbsp dark brown sugar, to taste
  • 2 cups jasmine rice, white or brown, cooked

Instructions

  • Heat the olive oil in the dutch oven over medium-high heat.
  • Add onions and saute for about 5 minutes until soft, stirring regularly.
  • Add garlic, ginger, coriander, carrots, and cook for 1 minute, stirring.
  • Add the curry paste, brown sugar, salt & pepper, and stir quickly, then add half the chopped cilantro.
  • Add coconut milk and stir to combine all. Reduce heat to medium-low and let the mixture come to a gentle boil for approximately 5 minutes or until liquid thickens slightly.
  • Add the fresh spinach leaves, lime juice, and cook until spinach is wilted & tender approximately 2-3 minutes.,
  • Add the cooked chicken and stir well until the chicken is heated through. Taste to adjust sugar, salt, or curry paste to your liking.
  • Garnish with the remaining chopped cilantro and serve over cooked rice.

Notes

Shrimp makes a delicious substitute for chicken and Thai basil is a good substitute for cilantro for those who don't like cilantro.

Nutrition

Calories: 466kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 113mg | Sodium: 979mg | Potassium: 982mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 14123IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 145mg | Iron: 5mg

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

Shrimp makes a delicious substitute for chicken and Thai basil is a good substitute for cilantro for those who don't like cilantro.
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Lobster Rolls – Twiins Style

Published on by Twiins in the Kitchen2 Comments

Goodby summer…There’s no  better way to celebrate the end of summer than with an  indulgent lobster roll! Whether it’s served as a Labor Day celebration lunch or dinner your family and guests will love them. Our family not only loves them but said “they are better than ‘ Joe’s’ “.  This recipe is our version of the classic Connecticut style lobster roll using only butter…NO Mayo.  These lobster rolls are so easy to make using pre-cooked lobster meat. We hope you’ll give it a try and let us know.

Happy Labor Day, Stay safe

Lobster Rolls - Twiins Style

Twiins serve.their take on Connecticut style lobster rolls (no mayo)!
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Calories:
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Equipment

  • Large Mixing Bowl
  • Large rimmed baking sheet
  • aluminum foil

Ingredients 

  • 3 lbs Lobster meat (cooked)
  • 2-3 stalks celery (diced)
  • ¼ cup parsely, fresh coursely chopped
  • 2-3 Tbsp lemon juice, fresh
  • salt & pepper to taste
  • 3 sticks salted butter (melted right before serving)
  • 3-4 Tbsp softened butter to spread on rolls prior to broiling
  • 8-10 buns top split hot dog buns

Instructions

  • Place the pre-cooked lobster meat in a large bowl (large chunky pieces)
  • Add diced celery, chopped parsely, salt & pepper, juice of half a large lemon. Mix well and set aside.
  • Turn oven to broil. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Place opened buns on baking sheet then smear both halves of each bun with softened butter. Place on bottom rack of oven until they start to turn golden. Remove immediately.
  • Melt 3 sticks of salted butter then pour into lobster mixture. Combine well and fill each bun. Drizzle each lobster roll with the melted butter that pooled at the bottom of the mixing bowl and enjoy!

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

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Add parsely, celery, salt & pepper, & lemon juice
Melt the butter right before serving
Pour melted butter over mixture
Serve with potato salad, Cole slaw or your favorite side

Cheesy Zucchini & Chicken Enchiladas

Published on by Twiins in the KitchenLeave a comment

I haven’t been cooking at all the last 5 weeks due to having a total knee replacement. During that time my better half, Teresa, cooked for all of us. Unfortunately during that same time period our beloved father Joseph passed away at the age of 94. Teresa, Jack, my husband Gary, and my son Jason flew back to NY but I couldn’t travel. My amazing friends came to my rescue by preparing the ice machine for my knee, letting the dog out, bringing lunch, dinners, and most of all, emotional support. I am so very grateful to have them in my life. As I was looking through some of my stacks and stacks of recipes, I came across this recipe from Food Network for Cheesy Zucchini and Chicken ‘Enchiladas’. Since I’m now able to do more & more each day I decided to try cooking this fairly quick & delicious-looking dinner. The key is using rotisserie chicken already cooked. Just shred it up! The step that takes the longest is shaving the zucchini ribbons but it’s worth the effort for this low-carb, satisfying meal. My family loved it.

Cheesy Zucchini & Chicken Enchiladas

Tasty low-carb enchiladas.
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Prep Time: 35 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Resting Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 (3 enchiladas each)
Calories: 371kcal
Author: Twiins in the Kitchen®

Equipment

  • 1 large skillet
  • Y shaped vegetable peeler
  • 2-3 quart baking dish

Ingredients 

  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 4 scallions, sliced (white & green parts separated)
  • 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp chili powder
  • 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (discard skin)
  • 1.5 cups salsa (not chunky)
  • 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese (divided in half)
  • 3-4 medium zucchini
  • dash chipotle hot sauce, plus more for serving
  • 2 tbsp sour cream (can be used as garnish when serving)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a large skillet heat the oil on medium heat.
  • Add the white scallion slices & garlic. Cook, stirring often until soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Sprinkle in the chili powder and cook, stirring until the scallions are coated and the oil is brick red, about a minute. Remove from heat and stir in chicken, 1/2 cup salsa & 1/2 cup cheese. Set aside.
  • Cut ends off zucchini. Halve the zucchini lengthwise and arrange cut-side down on a clean work surface. Use a Y-shaped vegetable peeler to shave off ribbons the entire length of each zucchini half and as wide as possible (the first few may be too skinny & can be discarded). Make 36 ribbons in total.
  • Lay out 3 ribbons, slightly overlapping to make a rectangle (ribbons are your 'tortilla'). Place about 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture down along one of the short ends of the zucchini tortilla then roll up to enclose the filling.
  • Place into an ungreased baking dish, seam side down. Repeat step 6 then arrange them in the baking dish. Top with remaining salsa. Sprinkle with a dash of hot sauce then sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese.
  • Bake until the cheese is melted and the filling is hot for about 25 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes. Top with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of green scallions

Notes

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchen

Nutrition

Serving: 3enchiladas | Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 41g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 1314mg | Potassium: 1085mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1695IU | Vitamin C: 31mg | Calcium: 413mg | Iron: 2mg

Please note: Although the Nutritional Facts are provided, we are not nutritionists and therefore cannot verify the accuracy of these calculations. Please verify any data you see here with your favorite nutrition calculator.

Recipe courtesy of Food Network Kitchen
Tried this recipe? We would love to see!Mention @twiins_in_the_kitchen or tag #twiinsinthekitchen
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Using a Y-shaped peeler, make 36 ribbons, discarding the skinny ones
Shredded chicken with chili powder & cheese
Overlap 3 ribbons & place meat on one end then roll up
Place rolled zucchini enchiladas into a 2-3 qt baking dish
Top with remaining salsa, cheese & hot sauce then bake 25 minutes until cheese melts & filling is hot
Sprinkle with green scallion slices
Serve: Can be topped with a dollop of sour cream