Thyme for                         Cooking

Omelet with Fresh Tarragon and Chevre
Grilled Shrimp  with Pesto Pasta
and Snow Peas (Mangetout)
Cooking time:  30 minutes for menu
Cooking schedule: see below for menu instructions

Omelet with Fresh Tarragon and Chevre (Goat Cheese)  Time: 10 minutes

1 goat cheese - You don't want the creamy kind in the carton for this but a proper goat cheese:
          log-shaped (long, round), 200 gr. (6 - 8oz) and wrapped in paper.  It will have a thin rind that is an
           edible part of the cheese. 
We'll use the rest on Sunday
4 eggs
1 tbs chopped fresh tarragon   Substitute 2 tsp dried
1 tbs snipped fresh chives        Substitute 2 tsp dried
1 tbs chopped fresh parsley     Substitute 2 tsp dried
1 tbs butter

Cut 8 slices of goat cheese - about 1/4" thick (.65cm).  With scissors snip herbs, divide in 2 and set aside.  In a medium bowl beat 2 eggs well with a wire whisk.  Heat an 8 inch nonstick skillet or omelet pan over medium-high heat.  Add half of the butter.  When melted add eggs and swirl around to cover bottom of pan.  Sprinkle with half of the herbs (and a little salt and pepper if you like).  When the eggs are almost set lay goat cheese rounds on 1/2 of omelet and with a spatula turn other half on top.  Leave in the pan another 20 - 30 seconds to finish cooking and remove to plate.  Can be put into 250F (125C) oven to keep warm while you make the other omelet...Oh yes - repeat for second omelet.  Serve, garnished with a small salad.

Small Salad with Vinaigrette                                        Time: 10 minutes

lettuce, for 2 small salads
Herb Dressing

Tear lettuce and put in bowl.  Add 1 tbs dressing and toss well to coat (use tongs).  Taste, add more dressing and repeat if desired.  You can add more....but not take it off.  Top with freshly ground pepper and serve along side omelet.

Herb Dressing - a small portion                                                 Time: 5 minutes

1 tsp Dijon
1/2 tsp fresh tarragon    substitute 1/4 tsp dry
1 1/2 tbs tarragon white wine vinegar
3 tbs olive oil, the good stuff

Combine Dijon, tarragon and vinegar, whisk well.  Slowly add olive oil, whisking until it emulsifies.

Grilled Shrimp (Prawns) with Pesto Pasta & Mangetout   Time - 20 minutes - if you
                                      have to clean the shrimp add 10 - 15 minutes (or do what I do and get
                                     someone else, in my case, mon mari, to do it...much easier)

For the Shrimp:
12 oz (350gr) large shrimp (prawns), cleaned
3 tbs prepared fresh pesto
1 tbs lemon juice
3 tbs olive oil
Olive oil for coating pan

Clean shrimp if needed, if not just rinse and let drain.  Mix pesto, lemon and oil.  Add shrimp and toss to coat.  To cook on barbecue either put shrimp on skewers or cook in perforated grill pan with a little olive oil.  To cook on stove add a little olive oil to a large nonstick skillet and sauté over medium-high heat for 3-5 minutes - until shrimp curl and turn opaque.  When done, remove from heat.

For the mangetout:
snow peas - enough for two, 6 oz  (125gr)
1 tsp butter
1 tsp olive oil
Salt and pepper

Clean pea pods - snip off the stem ends.  Heat butter and oil in nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add pea pods and sauté 5 - 10 minutes, depending on size, stirring frequently.  Taste, when they are done to your liking, remove.

For the Pasta:
Pasta, fresh, 8 - 9 oz  (250gr) - fettuccini, farfalle, whatever you like.
1/2 - 3/4 cup pesto
1 tbs good olive oil or truffle oil

Cook pasta according to package directions.  When done, drain. 

To assemble:
Put pasta in large bowl, add pesto sauce and toss to coat - use tongs.  Add snow peas and toss lightly, just to combine.  Arrange shrimp on top, drizzle with good olive or truffle oil and serve.
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Cooking schedule: 30 minutes for menu
Assemble all food, utensils and serving dishes
Put water on high heat for pasta
Light/turn on barbecue grill if using
Clean shrimp if needed
Snip all herbs
Prepare salad
Make vinaigrette
Clean snow peas
Mix pesto, lemon and oil
Add shrimp, toss to coat
Slice goat cheese
Whisk eggs
Start to make first omelet, add herbs

Start to sauté snow peas
Add goat cheese to omelet
Mind the mangetout
Remove first omelet, keep warm
Start second omelet
Remove snow peas, set aside
Finish second omelet
Add salads to omelets
Relax and enjoy starter
Done?  Cook pasta (fresh only takes 2 minutes)
Cook shrimp
Drain pasta
Add pesto, toss, add snow peas, toss, finish
Serve all and enjoy

 

 

 

Cooking for Two?  Or more? 
Our Weekly Menu Planner Service gives you healthy, gourmet dinners, carefully planned to eliminate waste and insure a wide variety of seasonal, wholesome foods each week. 

All text and images are copyright © 2005 - 2007 Kathleen Lerum Zeller.
All rights reserved unless otherwise indicated

 

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Menu for the week of May 4, 2007

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