Ruth"s Cris New Orleans Style Shrimp (Copycat Recipe)

This is a very simple and flavorful way to
prepare delicious shrimp.

Ingredients: 

1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil

28 large shrimp, peeled & deveined (tail on or off)

2 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon chopped green onions

2 tablespoons dry white wine

1 teaspoon fresh pressed or minced garlic

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon tabasco sauce

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

10 tablespoons salted butter, cut into tablespoons

Method:

Add the oil to a large cast iron skillet** on a burner over medium high heat. Add the shrimp to the skillet. Cook and stir just until the shrimp turn pink. Remove the shrimp and transfer to a platter.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the onions to the skillet (with additional oil, if the skillet is dry). Cook for 1 minute. Add the wine and simmer for 2 minutes.

Add the garlic, Worcestershire, tabasco, cayenne and paprika. Cook  for 1 minute. Reduce the heat to low.

Slowly add the butter to the pan and stir until all of the butter is melted and mixed in.

Return the shrimp to the skillet and stir to coat and reheat. Return to the platter or divide evenly between 4 serving plates.

**If you do not have a cast iron skillet, any skillet will do. If you do not have a large skillet, work in smaller batches to cook all of the shrimp.

Notes: Ruth's Chris is a high end steak house ~ It is a treat to be able to prepare this delicious shrimp at home. Serve alone over rice or vegetables, or serve as an accompaniment to chicken or steak.

Shrimp served over rice with barbecue 
chicken and cornbread muffins.

Low Carb Instant Pot Mexicali Chicken & Vegetable Soup

This quick & healthy soup is full of flavor and has
 a spicy kick. 🌶 (It tastes similar to chicken & rice.)

Ingredients: 

2 pounds chicken breasts, chopped in small bite sized pieces

1/4 cup diced red or yellow onion

1/2 cup salsa (mild, medium or hot depending on what you prefer)

1 cup chopped zucchini

1 tablespoon homemade taco seasoning**

1 (4.5 ounce) can diced green chiles

1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth***

1 (10 - 12 ounce) package frozen riced cauliflower

1 cup shredded colby jack or pepper jack cheese

salt and pepper to taste

Optional Garnishes:

Chopped green onions

lime wedges

diced avocado

Method:

Add the chicken, onion, salsa, zucchini, seasoning, diced chiles, broth and cauliflower to an instant pot. Stir to combine.

Pressure cook on high for 9 minutes.

Aloow the pressure to vent. Remove the lid and stir in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper or place salt and pepper shakers on the table for everyone to season their own meal. 

If desired, garnish with green onions, a lime wedge and/or diced avocado. Makes 6 cups ~ 4 (1 & 1/2 cup) servings.

**Homemade seasoning is easy to make and healthier because it is chemical free. Here is a link to the recipe: 

https://carriekitchencreations.blogspot.com/2019/02/keto-friendly-homemade-taco-seasoning.html

***When I make vegetable or chicken broth (or purchase broth) I make frozen ice cubes with the leftovers. I keep broth cubes in the freezer to have on hand as needed. 

Nutritional Info per serving, approximately: 506 calories ~ 22 grams fat  ~ 8.8 grams carbs ~ 2 grams fiber ~ 6.8 grams net carbs ~ 70.5 grams protein

Notes: 

I use pepper jack cheese, but the colby jack would be a little less spicy.

I used a medium salsa. The flavor was good with just the right amount of heat. 

This is a quick, healthy & satisfying meal that would also be good to treat a cold and to enjoy during the cooler fall and winter months. 

Smoke House Restaurant Famous Garlic Bread (Copycat Recipe) 🧄

🧄 This garlic bread is famous and my
husband's favorite ~ We no longer live
near the Smoke House, so I am happy
that is simple to make at home. 😊

Ingredients:

1 oval loaf of French or sourdogh bread*

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

2 teaspoons fresh minced or pressed garlic (about 4 to 6 cloves depending on size)

1 package (1/4 cup) cheese powder packet from a box of mac & cheese**

1/4 cup finely grated or powdered parmesan cheese***

Method:

Melt the butter over low to medium-low heat. Add the garlic and saute. Allow to set overnight at room temperature. (This step is important to allow the flavor of the garlic to develop and permeate the butter.)

Slice the loaf of bread lengthwise. Reheat the butter and garlic. Brush onto the cut sides of the bread halves. 

In a small bowl, stir together the cheese powder and parmesan. Sprinkle and spread evenly over the buttered bread. 

Bake at 350 for 10 minutes and then put under a broiler for 30 seconds or until the top just begins to lightly brown. Slice and serve. 

*I used an artisan sourdough loaf of bread, but the restaurant version is made on French bread.

**Any brand of mac & cheese may be used, but I used Annie's Shells & Real Aged Cheddar mac & cheese because it is organic and the cheese powder doesn't contain a long list of chemical ingredients that are difficult to pronounce.

***I don't use powdered (canned) parmesan cheese. I always have parmesan or asiago cheese in the freezer and finely grate as needed

Here is the official history of the restaurant and garlic bread:

"The Smoke House was founded in 1946 in Burbank California by Lockheed employees Jack Monroe & Jim Stockton and silent partner Bill Storey. The original restaurant seated 46 people, and was enjoyed by local luminaries Bob Hope and Bing Crosby (among others) on its opening night. With Jim as the promoter & front man, and Jack as the cook, the restauranteurs enjoyed much success and were soon looking for a larger building with more seating capacity. In 1948, The Smoke House moved to it's current location and the restaurant’s success continued to grow under its slogan “Fine Food at a Fair Price”. 

"By 1952, Chef John L. Sullivan’s unique recipe for garlic bread made the Smoke House the largest purveyor of French bread west of the Mississippi." The garlic bread has famously been a favrite ever since.

Notes:

The Smoke House is an iconic popular restaurant and the garlic bread really is good!