Tag Archives: Spiralife

April 29, 2016 · 8:02 am

National Shrimp Scampi Day

I love shrimp scampi. In honor of today’s celebration, I’m re-posting my version, which I call shrimp campy because I serve it over zucchini “pasta.” 🙂 You’ll need a spiral vegetable slicer for this one.

RECIPE

Hasty Tasty Shrimp “Campy”

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium zucchini, spiral-cut into noodles
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 10 oz. frozen cooked salad shrimp (no need to thaw)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper

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Directions:

  1. Rinse and drain the zucchini. The rinse water clinging to it should be sufficient to create the steam to cook the “pasta” without overcooking it.
  2. Steam the zucchini in a covered, 2-quart saucepan over low heat for 10-12 minutes or until tender. 
  3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium-size saute pan over low heat. Add the frozen salad shrimp, salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
  4. Remove saute pan from heat as soon as the shrimp are warmed. Do not overcook.
  5. Toss cooked zucchini “pasta” with the shrimp. Serve garnished with the Parmesan cheese.

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So there you have it: Shrimp “Campy” without the high-carb pasta! And it sneaks an extra serving of vegetables into your daily diet.

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August 22, 2015 · 7:47 am

Easy Grilled Salmon

The best meals are often the simplest. Take grilled salmon, for example. When my husband and I want to splurge on a meal to celebrate, we browse the seafood counter at Publix and select something extravagant. We’re still paying only half what the meal would cost in a restaurant, and that’s not including tips or cocktails. ☺

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RECIPE

Grilled Salmon Fillets for Two

Ingredients:

  • 2 salmon fillets, approximately 5-6 ounces each
  • 1 zucchini squash cut into ribbons (I use my SpiraLife)
  • 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tsp. lemon zest
  • ¼ sweet onion, julienned
  • 1 sweet pepper, julienned
  • 1 Tbsp. Herbes de Provence
  • 1 clove garlic, grated
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • (optional) fresh basil sprigs

Directions:

  1. Place zucchini, onion, and pepper in a small (1-quart) saucepan over low heat. If you aren’t using waterless cookware, be sure to add at least a Tbsp. water. Salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook 10-15 minutes.
  2. Preheat cast iron grill pan over medium heat.
  3. Combine olive oil, herbs, garlic, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Rub both sides of each fillet.
  4. Place fillets in preheated grill pan and immediately lower heat. Position the thinner portions of each fillet toward the edge of the pan, farther from the center of heat source to avoid overcooking. Time for five minutes.
  5. Carefully turn each fillet using a spatula. Time for an additional five minutes.
  6. After five minutes, check the thickest part of the salmon for doneness. Do not overcook. If the fish has turned a lighter shade of pink, immediately remove pan from heat. If the middle appears raw, cook for a couple minutes more, taking care not to overcook the salmon.
  7. Remove zucchini mixture from heat. Using tongs, divide the vegetable noodles and place on two plates.
  8. Plate the salmon beside the “noodles.” Garnish with a sprig of fresh basil if desired. Serve immediately with your choice of roll and beverage.

I recommend buying wild caught in USA salmon rather than farm-raised.

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July 18, 2015 · 6:48 am

Hasty Tasty Shrimp “Campy” ☺

Handheld vegetable spiral slicer by Spiralife

Handheld vegetable spiral slicer by SpiraLife

I previously posted about my new spiral vegetable slicer, the SpiraLife. Today I challenged my husband to try my lightened, low-carbohydrate version of shrimp scampi. He had his doubts. He loves his pasta, and substituting spiral-cut squash didn’t appeal to him. But he’s a good sport.

I call this dish “campy” because it’s a fake-out, and I also thought the name “shrimp campy” cute. You may call it anything you wish, but please give it a try. It’s healthful, filling, and tasty.

RECIPE

Hasty Tasty Shrimp “Campy”

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 medium zucchini, spiral-cut into noodles
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced or grated
  • 10 oz. frozen cooked salad shrimp (no need to thaw)
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper

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Directions:

  1. Rinse and drain the zucchini. The rinse water clinging to it should be sufficient to create the steam to cook the “pasta” without overcooking it.
  2. Steam the zucchini in a covered, 2-quart saucepan over low heat for 10-12 minutes or until tender. 
  3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium-size saute pan over low heat. Add the frozen salad shrimp, salt, pepper, and minced garlic.
  4. Remove saute pan from heat as soon as the shrimp are warmed. Do not overcook.
  5. Toss cooked zucchini “pasta” with the shrimp. Serve garnished with the Parmesan cheese.

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The verdict? My husband admitted it tasted better than he expected. He even said I could make it again. So there you have it: Shrimp “Campy” without the high-carb pasta! And it sneaks an extra serving of vegetables into your daily diet.

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May 10, 2015 · 1:15 pm

Oodles of Noodles=Low-calorie Fun.

Too much cooking and too much eating have led to too much weight! While I hate the word diet, I’m on one now to drop pounds. A recent addition to my kitchen gadget collection is a vegetable spiral slicer. Many brands are available. I chose a handheld model by Spiralife.

The spiral slicer creates several long strands of vegetable pasta.

The spiral slicer creates several long strands of vegetable pasta.

I love pasta dishes, so the concept of creating vegetable ribbons as a substitute for spaghetti appeals to me. Vegetable noodles save me approximately 200 calories per serving when substituted for my whole wheat or semolina spaghetti. What a fun way to sneak more nutrition and fiber in my diet. 😀

For my first adventure in spiral slicing, I steamed a squash medley for a side dish. Using one yellow squash and one zucchini, I produced enough “noodles” for two pasta dishes or three side dishes. I tossed with a tablespoon of butter for a side, but next time I plan to use a pesto sauce for an entrée.

Steam pasta over low heat just until tender. Or you can boil it if you don't have minimum-moisture cookware.

Steam pasta over low heat just until tender. Or you can boil it if you don’t have minimum-moisture cookware.

A side of squash medley served with chicken and mashed potatoes.

A side of squash medley served with chicken and mashed potatoes.

The handheld Spiralife® is great for round vegetables, like carrots, zucchini, and yellow squash. It isn’t designed for onions or broccoli, which is no problem because a pasta substitute should have a mild taste. I enjoy a medley of flavors, so I blend squashes with a carrot. In the past, I’ve created veggie curls using an ordinary vegetable peeler. This new gadget speeds up the process.

Bottom line: The Spiralife is worth the purchase. I may even consider upgrading to a fancier model!

Handheld vegetable spiral slicer by Spiralife

Handheld vegetable spiral slicer by Spiralife

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