







These are best made just shortly before serving. I hope you enjoy!
Garnish with fresh basil, serve warm or at room temperature. 

Lemon, Ricotta and Pea Pappardelle Pasta
adapted from Donna Hay
Almost any shaped pasta can be substituted for the wide Pappardelli pasta ~ I also tossed in some cherry tomato halves at the last moment, though I didn't get a picture of it that way. It was a nice addition and one I would do again.
400 g (14 ounces) Pappardelle or other pasta
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 cup peas (I use petite frozen, and just thaw them)
1/2 cup slivered mint leaves (I used basil leaves)
sea salt and cracked black pepper
500 grams (1 pound) fresh ricotta cheese
Grated Parmesan cheese to serve
* Optional: Cherry Tomato halves
Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water until al dente. Drain and return to the pot, reserving a little of the pasta water. Toss the pasta with all ingredients EXCEPT the ricotta (and reserved water).
After tossing, add ricotta and mix gently. If the pasta seems too "tight", add a little of the reserved pasta water.
Spoon onto serving plates and pass the grated Parmesan cheese.
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Recipe provides 4 servings.
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Filled Strawberries
Yields 12 filled berries; recipe is easily increased
With an electric mixer whip 6 ounces of room-temperature cream cheese on medium speed until slightly fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract and 1 1/2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar.
Trim tops and bottoms of 12 strawberries to level. Use a small melon baller to scoop out tops.
Fill a pastry bag fitted with a 1/2-inch star tip with cream cheese mixture; pipe into berries decoratively.
Toast 1/4 cup sliced almonds in a 350 degrees oven until toasty brown, 3 to 6 minutes; arrange slices over filling.
The berries are best made just a few hours (or less) before serving, keep loosely covered in the refrigerator until serving time.
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I (Mari) put my notes in brackets ~ I had to adjust because of a family member's dietary restrictions.
1/4 cup Old Style Dijon Mustard (Maille)
2 tsp dry mustard
1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
6 Tbsp sugar [I have to substitute agave syrup because of diet restrictions] ---it worked GREAT!
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/3 cup vegetable oil [I reduce, again because of dietary restrictions]
2 Tbsp fresh dill, minced (dried can be used)
2 Tbsp red onion, chopped (I slivered it)
2 lbs medium shrimp, cooked (fresh or frozen)*
Combine the first five ingredients in a bowl. Whisk in the oil. Stir in the dill and onion. Chill, tightly covered.
If you are using fresh shrimp, peel and de-vein the shrimp. Steam until done. If you are using frozen cooked shrimp, defrost in a colander under cool water.
Place the marinade into a large Ziploc bag and add the shrimp. Seal tightly and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight. Serve over a bed of greens.
Variation: The fresh uncooked shrimp may be marinated and then placed on a skewer and grilled on the barbecue. Grill over medium heat. When the tails begin to turn pink flip the skewers over and continue to cook until the shrimp tails are pink and the meat is opaque (white.)
Kate notes: *I have used both fresh and frozen shrimp. The dish turns out perfect with either one.
This recipe is... From Kate at A Spoonful of Thyme (click to visit!)
Thank you Kate!
I recently served it with "Good Old Pea Salad", it was a good side for these shrimp. It is listed just below this recipe, or click HERE if you would like the Pea Salad recipe.
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Low, medium or high fat ~ the choice is up to you. Simply adjust the amount of fat in the finished dish by choosing the ingredients that you prefer ~ (I select the low to non fat products because of dietary needs.)
Just keep in mind this is a method, not a recipe set in stone ~ adjust the ingredients and amount of seasonings to suit your own taste.
Ingredients:
-Dried Pasta (2 to 4 ounces dry per serving)
-Plain/Original Soy Creamer, Milk, or Cream (3/4 to 1 cup)
-2 cloves garlic, smashed with the flat side of a wide-blade knife (try to keep the clove whole for easy retrieval later)
-Smoked salmon (2 to 3 ounces, or so), broken into small chunks
-Snipped fresh chives or scallions (green onions), I like to use the green tops in this recipe, reserving the white for other uses
-Fat free or whole milk Greek yogurt, or Sour Cream, as desired
-Low Sodium chicken broth, as desired
-Wasabi, I use about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon wasabi paste
Method:
For 2 servings~
1. Cook the pasta of choice until al dente (I use 2-3 ounces of dried pasta per serving.)
2. While pasta is cooking ~ Break smoked salmon into small chunks, set aside.
Steep the smashed garlic in the milk or cream: In a small saucepan gently simmer 2 smashed cloves of garlic in 1/2 to 3/4 cup Silk (soy creamer ~original), Milk, or Cream for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the smashed garlic, (you may discard, but I press them in a garlic press and stir back into the pot.) Over low heat whisk in the wasabi paste and as much yogurt or sour cream and chicken broth to make the sauce the consistency you like. Add half of the smoked salmon and chives or scallions; mix gently.
3. Gently stir the salmon cream sauce into the pasta pot, place over medium low heat until warmed completely, adding more milk/cream and/or chicken broth to loosen the sauce as necessary.
4. Plate up on warmed plates and garnish with remaining smoked salmon and chives.
Enjoy!
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Here are the general guidelines I use to assemble this salad; certainly you can adjust the amounts to your own liking, for both the dressing and the salad components.
I like a medium thick dressing with a good balance of sweet, tangy with a bit of bite from the red pepper.
For about a cup of dressing:
Unseasoned Rice vinegar (about 1/4 to 1/2 cup)
fresh lime juice (about 2 medium limes)
smooth peanut butter (2 to 3 Tablespoons)
canola oil (I don't use much) 2 to 3 Tablspoons
small amount of toasted sesame oil (a teaspoon or so)
garlic, minced or pressed through garlic press (1 to 2 cloves)
finely grated fresh ginger (2 to 3 teaspoons)
sweetener of you choice: light brown sugar, Agave syrup, Splenda, Honey, etc. (about 2 Tablespoons or more to taste)
hot red pepper flakes
salt and ground black pepper (to taste)
Salad Ingredients:
Grilled, roasted or poached ~ Chicken, Prawns, beef or pork as much as you like, sliced (you can also use tofu if you prefer, in lieu of the animal meat.)
cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into chunks
carrot, peeled and grated on large holes of box grater
scallions (green onions), white and green parts, sliced thinly on diagonal
As much as you like: baby spinach greens, or young tender lettuce leaves, or sliced/chopped cabbage
minced fresh cilantro leaves
Garnish:
chopped toasted peanuts
Toasted Sesame seeds if desired
Sweet red bell pepper slivers if desired
Mix dressing ingredients together (I use a mini-food processor), taste and adjust seasonings, you may like yours sweeter, or may prefer more peanut butter, etc.
Dressing can be made up to 3 days ahead, kept covered and refrigerated.
Cook the meat of your choice (or use leftover), slice/cut into bite size pieces, set aside.
Prepare remainder of salad ingredients except garnishes and arrange on serving platter or individual plates. Arrange meat or tofu on top, drizzle dressing over, garnish with peanuts and sesame seeds.
Enjoy!
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