Cooking in Pajamas

I apologize that it has been a while since my last blog post.  Phil and I were traveling throughout Europe to celebrate our 20 year anniversary.  I got back a few days ago, and am still a little jet lagged.  We flew to Barcelona, where we stayed for a few days. Then we took a cruise to France, Italy and Mallorca. We ended up back in Barcelona for another two days before flying home.  The trip was amazing, and I came back newly inspired by the cuisines of Barcelona and Rome.  I will be blogging more on my European adventures over the next few weeks, but I have a few recipes that I have already cooked and had to share with you.

This first recipe sounds fancy and exotic, but it is incredibly simple and you can literally make it in 10 minutes.  I cannot even begin to describe how amazing this dish is.  If you are a garlic lover and/or a shrimp lover, this will become a new favorite.  You absolutely MUST serve it with a side of crusty bread to sop up all of the garlicky, paprika-scented sauce.  If you want to make a dramatic presentation of this dish for company, make a large platter of saffron rice, and pour the shrimp and its sauce over the bed of rice.  Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and you are done.

I made the recipe below exactly as written and it barely served three people, so if you are serving four people or more, make sure to double or triple the recipe.  If there are leftovers (which there probably won't be) plan on serving it the following day over a plate of pasta.

Gambas Al Ajillo Catalonia

Garlic Bread is a huge, huge weakness of mine.  I can't resist a piece of crunchy, hot, buttery bread flavored with garlic and cheese.  I can eat it with almost any meal. Of course, there is the traditional Italian meal that is incomplete without garlic bread. I will also have a slice of garlic bread with a bowl of soup, dipped into hummus, along side chili...you get the picture.

Most Amazing Cheesy Garlic Bread

I truly believe everyone should know how to make a basic pie crust.  I didn't always think that. I used to buy the frozen pie crust dough. It was cheap, easy and fast.  Making a homemde crust was intimidating. I had tried to make it before with mixed results.

The more I thought about it, the more determined I became to perfect this simple kitchen task. I tried several recipes, and the more I did it, the easier it became.

This is one of my favorite recipes because it doesn't require any rolling with a rolling pin. Just mix in a bowl and press into your pan.

There are a few simple keys to success.  The most important is to keep all of your ingredients super cold. Some people even freeze the butter and flour before combining them (but you would need to use a food processor for combining these).  Pie crusts become flaky when little bits of unmelted butter are layered in with the flour. The butter melts away while baking, forming a tender, flaky crust.  Another tip..do not over work the dough.  You are not kneading this like a bread dough or a pizza dough. As soon as the dough comes together and seems cohesive, it is done. It may feel dry and crumbly, but the results will be tender and flaky.

No Roll Pie/Quiche Crust

There is a reason that we are now seeing coconut oil everywhere...it is good for so many things!  You don't have to be an organic hippie to use it.

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism, relief from kidney problems, heart diseases, high blood pressure, diabetes, HIV and cancer, dental care, and bone strength. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

I purchased a 16 oz. container of Coconut Oil at Trader Joe's for $5.99! That is a bargain.  I used to get a 12 oz. bottle for $22 at the health food store. I now keep one container in the kitchen and one in my bathroom.  My top five favorite uses of coconut oil are:

1 - adding it to smoothies

2 - using it to saute or roast vegetables (try roasting sweet potatoes in coconut oil...YUM!)

3 - as a lip balm

4 - as a deep conditioner for my hair

5 - as a skin softener added to a bath

As you are about to see, the uses for coconut oil are endless.  I can't wait to try it as an insect repellant (see #35) this summer.

Here is a link to tons and tons of recipes using coconut oil

Coconut Oil Recipes

Delicious Obsessions

1. Eat a spoonful when you need an energy boost.
2. Use it as the base for a homemade body scrub.
3. Use to condition your wooden cutting boards.
4. Use as a super conditioner on your hair (apply to dry hair, leave in as long as possible and then shampoo as normal).
5. Use as a styling agent if you have really dry hair. Just rub a tiny bit on your palms and apply to your hair and style as normal.
6. Keep a little container in your purse for lip moisturizer.
7. Add a spoonful to your dog or cat’s food. CO is great for our furry friends!
8. Replace nasty, unhealthy vegetable oils in your cooking and baking with CO.
9. Make healthy Magic Shell ice cream topping.
10. Use it for oil pulling (learn about oil pulling here).
11. Use a tiny dab on your underarms for a natural deodorant.
12. Use coconut oil instead of shaving cream.
13. Add to your bath tub for a moisturizing soak (a drop of peppermint oil is wonderful!).
14. Use as a makeup remover.
15. Use it to help sooth chicken pox, shingles, or other rashes or skin irritations.
16. Use it to treat athlete’s food, ringworm, or other fungal or yeast infections.
17. Take a spoonful with your vitamins to help improve absorption.
18. Spread a thin layer on cuts or burns to speed up healing.
19. Take up to 5 spoonfuls per day for improved thyroid function.
20. Add a spoonful to your smoothies for extra nutrition and flavor (here, here, andhere).
21. Use on the delicate tissue around your eyes to help prevent wrinkles and sagging.
22. Use as the base for homemade toothpaste or lotion.
23. Use in place of massage oil.
24. Use on your baby’s diaper rash or cradle cap.
25. Use to help reduce visibility of stretch marks or to prevent stretch marks.
26. For nursing mothers, use coconut oil on your nipples to prevent cracking and irritation.
27. For nursing mothers, consuming coconut oil will help increase your milk flow.
28. Apply to bee stings or bug bites to soothe and heal the wound.
29. Women can use in the nether regions to relieve yeast infections, dryness, and/or discomfort.
30. Eat a spoonful with each meal to improve digestion.
31. If you’re prone to nosebleeds, coat the inside of your nostrils with coconut oil regularly.
32. Helps soothe and heal hemorrhoids.
33. Take to helps reduce or eliminate migraines.
34. Use as the base for homemade vapor rub.
35. Mixed with peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, or tea tree oil makes an excellent insect repellant.
36. Mix with baking soda for a non-toxic “Goo Gone”.
37. Use to help detox the body during a cleanse or fast.
38. Use as a metal polish, but always test a small area first.
39. Use as a leather moisturizer.
40. Season your cast iron pans.
41. Use to oil your pans and baking dishes instead of pan spray.
42. Got gum stuck in your hair? Try using coconut oil to remove without cutting your hair.
43. Use instead of WD-40.
44. Use as a personal lubricant (not safe with latex).
45. Take a spoonful to help with heartburn, acid reflux, or indigestion.
46. Use as a natural sunscreen.
47. Mix with a tiny bit of fresh lemon juice and use as a furniture polish (always test a small area first!).
48. Mix with butter and toss your popcorn in it.
49. Use on cracked or rough heals to help smooth them out.
50. Massage into your nails and cuticles to help strengthen them.
51. Use as the base for homemade chocolate candy (like peanut butter cups).
52. Take a couple spoonfuls every day to help overall immune function.