On Sunday night, I cooked my first official meal in our new house.
And it was awesome.
Yes, sparkling wine was enjoyed with dinner. It was, after all, an event (and a dish!) to celebrate.
Spicy Parmesan Shrimp
(slightly modified from this recipe)
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese (plus more for serving)
- 2 heaping tsp minced garlic
- 3 teaspoons brown sugar
- 3 teaspoons soy sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- About 36 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3.5 cups uncooked whole wheat penne
Directions:
- Whisk the first 6 ingredients together in a bowl.
- Put the prepared shrimp in a Ziplock bag, then pour marinade into the bag. After closing the bag, toss it around to coat the shrimp. Let the shrimp marinade in the fridge (I let mine marinade for about 3 hours, but you can base it on how much time you have).
- When you’re ready for dinner, prepare your pasta according to the box instructions.
- About 5-6 minutes before the pasta is done cooking, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dump the shrimp and the marinade into the skillet.
- Let the shrimp cook for just a couple of minutes on each side. Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and then add it to the shrimp mixture. Stir to combine.
- Spoon mixture into bowls, top with parmesan cheese, and enjoy!
This meal came together so quickly, it required minimal ingredients, and it was delicious.
The brown sugar gave a very subtle sweetness, which paired nicely with the slight heat from the red pepper flakes. Two thumbs up!
And I have to say, I give ALL credit to Jessica for this recipe. I just changed the measurements of the ingredients, but the recipe was all her. She’s also the genius behind M&M cookies and Puffy Peanut Butter cookies. Needless to say, I kinda love her. 
————–
And to finish this post on a sweet note, how about some ice cream?
Surprise! It’s actually not ice cream! It’s banana soft-serve!
I’ve seen this idea all over the web, so I have no idea who first came up with it. But it’s pretty awesome.
Here’s all you have to do:
1. Put a frozen banana into your food processor.
2. Add about a tablespoon of your favorite nut butter.
3. Pulse.
(And be patient. I had to scrape the sides and keep pulsing several times before getting the correct texture.)
The result is something that is cool, creamy, and looks just like ice cream. But it’s not. It’s a banana. 
If you don’t like bananas, obviously, this isn’t the snack for you. For the rest of you, just try it. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it is!
Question for ya …
What are you doing this weekend?
Ever tried banana “soft serve?”
What is your favorite electronic gadget in your kitchen?
My food processor ranks pretty high.
Congratulations on finally getting to cook in your new house! That’s so exciting:) and the shrimp dish looks delicious!
We have absolutely no plans this weekend, but will probably try to spend time with our fathers…fathers day snuck up on me this year!
kaceyjt recently posted..Striving for Weird
Banana soft serve is the best, isn’t it??
My weekend is going to consist of a baby shower, my sister-in-laws birthday dinner, and lots of relaxation! Have a great weekend!
Alyssa @ fit and fun in third recently posted..Why I’m Happy Today (and NOT just because it’s Friday).
mmmmmm yet another recipe I need to try, i’m a sucker for shrimp and pasta! i’ve been meaning to do the banana soft serve thing too!! hoping to finally stick the ripe bananas on my table into the freezer and get to work
this weekend is a lot of family time with both me and kevin’s families…couldnt ask for more. OH and a long run. so basically, the perfect weekend.
Theresa recently posted..Chia seeds and an actual tempo run
Well enjoy your long run and family time! My in-laws are in town, so we’ll have lots of family time, as well!
The banana mixture looks awesome! My grandparents love to go to steak n’ shake, but as a vegetarian and healthy eater it’s not my favorite place. When I am there though, I love a half banana and half peanut butter shake! Some stores now don’t make banana so it’s harder to find, but it’s absolutely wonderful! My favorite kitchen gadget is my stand mixer. It’s from the 70s haha, but it’s wonderful and gets the job done!
This weekend I’m escaping with the boy for a weekend getaway! So excited!!
B @ Crags and Veggies recently posted..Broccoli goes Jiaozi (potsticker)
Have fun this weekend!! Getaways are the best!
I always use my frozen bananas to make smoothies but haven’t seen anyone make soft serve! Looks delicious!
Megan@ The Running Doc recently posted..German Sausage and Cabbage
I’ve been meaning to make banana soft serve for a long time, but never have. My sister makes it all the time and loves it. I really need to get on it
Yellow Haired Girl recently posted..Like Monica Geller
yay for your first official meal in your new house – it looks just wonderful. and i’m intrigued by the frozen banana yogurt – looks like a great idea!
amy @ fearless homemaker recently posted..raspberry swirl cheesecake bars {low-fat!}
Wahoo congrats on your first meal in the house! Plus it looks like a rather great one to start with and many more to come
I need to make the banana soft serve more often, it really is a great way to end the day
Tessa @ Amazing Asset recently posted..Finding The Fit & Other Items To Mention
Don’t you love the banana soft serve?? Of course it doesn’t replace regular ice cream, but it’s a nice alternative sometimes
. And seriously…I want you to cook for me! Hope you have a fabulous weekend with the in-laws!! Love ya!
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health recently posted..Friday Favorites and Giveaway Winner
I agree … it’s not a substitute for ice cream. But it’s still really good!!
that pasta looks SO good!! i’m definitely adding that to the “menu” next week.
i’ve seen banana soft serve all over too, and i still have to yet to try it. that needs to happen SOON too! have a great weekend girl! love ya!
Ashley @ My Food ‘N’ Fitness Diaries recently posted..An Update + June Yoga Challenge Week 2 Recap
The “ice cream” looks yummy. Will have to try it. Can you then put into freezer for storing?
Good question, mom! How about you try it and let me know haha?!
That recipe looks amazing. I’ve been wanting an excuse to actually spend money on shrimp and this looks perfect.
Paul is doing a TRIATHLON tomorrow! So we are gonna go cheer him on. Then Sunday we will pamper him for fathers day! Good times!
Cinnamon @ eatpraytri recently posted..Jamaica’n me crazy!!
We have made this banana soft serve “ice cream” and we love it, too!
jennifer recently posted..Staying Organized: Pantry
Banana soft serve sounds awesome! Love bananas in any way, shape, or form!
Nicole recently posted..To Catch You Up..
That pasta looks awesome! I want to try this recipe out too, especially this time of year when I can go down to the docks and get some freshly caught shrimp. Also, I am absolutely *obsessed* with Jessica’s blog. I love her recipes, writing, and personality so, so, so, so much!!! I wish she were my best friend.For realz. I, too, have been devouring the banana soft serve, in fact, I’m pretty sure I made it every single night this week (per the hubs request), but mine is a wee bit different than yours. I just blend up the banana then I top it with a homemade chocolate almond magic shell. Oh.my.word….I want some now!
Amber with Slim Pickin’s Kitchen recently posted..Melon Ball Margarita
I’m with you about Jessica … she’s pretty much the coolest person ever.
That banana soft-serve is ingenious! I would definitely have to say my favorite kitchen gadget is my Kitchen Aid stand-mixer; I think every house needs one!
Michelle @ Nice Lil Saturday recently posted..Bragging Rights
That’s one of my favorites, as well!
It’s so exciting cooking that first meal in the new place isn’t it!?
I definitely couldn’t live without my Magic Bullet, so that would be my favourite
Meg recently posted..High Five Friday #18
Yay for your first meal in your new home!!! Sparkling wine was definitely necessary.
Stefanie @TheNewHealthy recently posted..Cherry Lime Coconut Flour Muffins
I love soft serve bananas! It’s even better if you put a bit of chocolate syrup in there. I have frozen yogurt at a make your own place the other day and thought about your blog. Saying to my husband “It’s sad I’m not taking a photo of this wonderful yogurt creation”.
Haha Lauren, you’re so funny! What flavor frozen yogurt did you get??
1/3 Peach, 1/3 Blackberry, 1/3 Coconut Chocolate topped with brownie bites, rainbow sprinkles, mini M&M’s, chocolate syrup and a bit of whipped cream. (Mind you I shared 1/2) lol.
I wish I liked bananas, because it’d be such a good alternative to ice cream (and I crave ice cream every day, basically). I love Jessica’s recipes too!
Emily @ Perfection Isn’t Happy recently posted..Sweat it Out Saturday #3: Time Crunch
Congrats on that delicious looking meal! Yay for cooking a meal in a new kitchen too!
I love banana soft serve. My father actually bought me a Yo-Nanas (He is crazy obsessed with infomercials..) .. so it is basically just a way to get people to spend more money to blend a frozen banana.. when you can easily do it with a food processor!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas recently posted..Lasts…
FIRST MEAL IN YOUR NEW HOUSE!!! That is so exciting and it looks delicious!
Yayyy for cooking in your new house!!! That dish looks delicious. I love banana soft serve – such a cool refreshing treat.
natalie @ southern fit foodie recently posted..running is hard