The other day Laura called me and said, “What are you fixing for dinner”, I replied, “I didn’t know I was”. I told her I would check in the fridge and see what I could come up with and it would be ready by the time she got home.
I went on the hunt!
Deep in the back of the freezer I found a small bag of salad shrimp. I thought hmmm…. that would be good in pasta salad, but it was a small package and not enough fo 5 people. So I looked a little further. I found a package of frozen fish fillets with 5 small filets. BINGO!
Ok, I have shrimp and fish. So lets deal with the fish first.
Get out your Saladmaster Electric Skillet and in a cold pan add frozen fish. I peeled about 10 cloves of garlic layed them on the fish and then seasoned the fish with salt and pepper. Put on the lid and turn to 250 degrees. Cook till vapo valve clicks and then reduce heat to 175 just to keep it warm till Laura gets home.
For the shrimp I put them in a 1 qt cold saucepan. Put on medium heat, wait till valve clicks, and turn to lowest setting.
Remember, always use the pan that is mostly full to cook the amount of food. You don’t need a 10qt roaster to cook 1/2 pound of shrimp.
Ok, I need a vegetable. I had some broccoli spears. I used my small 9 in skillet and filled it with the broccoli. Always rinse frozen vegetables, use the lid at an angle to drain completely. Put lid on and add 1 tsp water to lip to ensure a good seal. Put on medium till valve clicks and then reduce to lowest setting.
Now the pasta. I had some penne pasta. Using my 3qt saucepan I filled it 3/4 full with water and put on high to boil the water. Ad 1 Tablespoon salt to water and make sure it dissolves completely. Add pasta and cook till they are almost tender, you want them just a little tough.
Ok, I have fish, shrimp, broccoli, and pasta. I need to complete this with a sauce or something. I looked all through the cabinets and found nothing. WHITE SAUCE. IS WHAT I NEED.
White Sauce Recipe
4 T butter
4 T flour
2 chicken bouillon cubes
1 1/2 Cups boiling water from pasta
1 Cup milk
Add salt and pepper to taste
In a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour, and bouillon to make a rue. Gradually add water and milk. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
Now time to assemble it all.
Drain pasta, add shrimp, broccoli, and white sauce. Mix well.
Now, on plate add pasta mixture and lay fish on the side. Top pasta with fresh graded parmesan.
Wow what a dinner! Laura and the kids gave it a 10.
Sorry, I forgot to take a picture, but you can be sure I will make it again.
Lowell Lane 