I'm Addicted to this Spicy Pasta Salad!

I was going to include this as part of my vacation wrap up post, but this is too darn good, it deserves it's own post. As soon as I saw this Spicy Pasta Salad with Smoked Gouda, Tomatoes, & Basil posted on The Pioneer Woman's website I knew I had to make it, and I finally found the time at the lake. It was so good I made it twice within a week. After we got home from the lake we went to Monmouth Park Race Track (horses for those of you who aren't from Jersey) with some friends so I made it again. I enjoyed sneaking in bites of gouda while I was making it, sneaking in bites of the finished product before serving it, and both groups really enjoyed the pasta salad. The only downside was I had to share it with other people.

The only changes I made were that the first time I used Spinach leaves because at the last minute I realized I didn't have basil leaves, it was a good substitute but the version with basil was definitely the perfect combination.  The second time I added extra chipotle, because I love chipotle and can't get enough of it in my life. I was happy I added the extra, but it's excellent both ways.

Please go to the store and get the ingredients you need and make this now. Words can't describe how much I enjoyed it, I'll be making it again soon, I'm addicted.

Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks

After a long day at work and a long workout I was looking for a meal I could throw together in 15-20 minutes tonight. Luckily, I remembered the Pioneer Woman's Pasta with Pancetta and Leeks recipe that I have been meaning to try. I mean Ree said her readers owe it to her to make this recipe, so really it was the least I could do.  I followed the recipe almost exactly, that's right I used all of the butter and all of the cream this time, and it was so worth it. The plan was to have some leftover for our lunches tomorrow, but we couldn't resist eating too much tonight and we're going to have to make alternative plans for lunch. Next time I make this (and there definitely will be a next time) I might add some broccoli or mushrooms to get some extra veggies in. You should make this sometime soon.

Firecracker Shrimp Salad

I made this salad using The Pioneer Woman's Firecracker Shrimp, which is delicious on its own as well as in this salad, and is so so easy to make. I agree with her that Sriracha is the best hot sauce choice, so definitely use that when making this recipe.  I don't skewer the shrimp before putting them on my grill pan, call me lazy.

I love shrimp, of course fresh is the best, but I stock up on frozen uncooked shrimp as it thaws and cooks up quickly, which is perfect for weeknight dinners.

For this salad I used fresh shrimp that I picked up on sale at the store and tossed it with mixed greens,  avocado, corn, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, black beans, and onions.  I threw on a little ranch dressing as it helped balance the very spicy shrimp (because I always use extra Sriracha).  I'll be making this again, very soon.

Pizza Throwdown

Caramelized Onion and Prosciutto Pizza

My husband and I had a pizza throw-down; I won for taste and he won for presentation (I imagine you can guess whose was whose).  I used The Pioneer Woman's Caramelized Onion and Prosciutto pizza, the onions are caramelized in brown sugar so that combined with the salty prosciutto was a guaranteed victory.  My husband had his own creation; turkey sausage, onions, and mushrooms and it was pretty tasty, but no caramelized onion and prosciutto.

Braised Short Ribs and Creamy Goat Cheese Polenta

I was eager to break in my new Le Creuset dutch oven, and what better way than with The Pioneer Woman’s Braised Short Ribs and Creamy Goat Cheese Polenta.

Braised Short Ribs

Creamy Polenta with Goat Cheese