Katie Stew

A rich, simmering blend of my favorite things

The Contessa strikes again!

| 1,146 Comments

I haven’t been cooking much lately. I’m not sure why. It just seems that I’ve been wanting the easy option the last few weeks, which means pasta, delivery, or Taco Time. However, this weekend I decided I needed to break this slump. So, I went to my Barefoot Contessa cookbooks and decided to look for something yummy. I chose two recipes and they were both just wonderful.

The first was her Baked Shrimp Scampi recipe. This recipe is easy, simple, fairly fast, and delicious. It also contains an obscene amount of butter. The panko mixed into the butter mixture makes a nice crust on the top of the shrimp. I served it over rice, so that there was something to soak up all that butter wonderful. The crusty parts mixed with the rice were my favorite part! The presentation is just beautiful and would be an excellent dish for a dinner party.

When I made it yesterday, I halved the recipe, and it worked out just fine. In fact, another note on the recipe. I used frozen shrimp that were already peeled and deveined with the tail on. I placed the frozen shrimp in a colander and ran cold water over them until they thawed, then I butterflied them. Keeping a bag of frozen shrimp in the freezer is a must for me these days. It is the easiest meat in the freezer to defrost and you can quickly and easily make impressive snacks for unexpected guests.

I wish I had taken a picture, because it was really pretty! I’m just going to add in the picture from the cookbook. Mine looked just as good. 🙂

Picture of Baked Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Barefoot Contessa’s Baked Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients

  • 2 pounds (12 to 15 per pound) shrimp in the shell
  • 3 tablespoons good olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons dry white wine
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 4 teaspoons minced garlic (4 cloves)
  • 1/4 cup minced shallots
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 extra-large egg yolk
  • 2/3 cup panko (Japanese dried bread flakes)
  • Lemon wedges, for serving

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Peel, devein, and butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tails on. Place the shrimp in a mixing bowl and toss gently with the olive oil, wine, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Allow to sit at room temperature while you make the butter and garlic mixture.

In a small bowl, mash the softened butter with the garlic, shallots, parsley, rosemary, red pepper flakes, lemon zest, lemon juice, egg yolk, panko, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper until combined.

Starting from the outer edge of a 14-inch oval gratin dish, arrange the shrimp in a single layer cut side down with the tails curling up and towards the center of the dish. Pour the remaining marinade over the shrimp. Spread the butter mixture evenly over the shrimp. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until hot and bubbly. If you like the top browned, place under a broiler for 1 minute. Serve with lemon wedges.

The other amazing Barefoot Contessa recipe I made yesterday was from her first cookbook and it was her Cheddar and Dill Scones.

Oh my goodness. I don’t know if anyone else has this obsession, but when I was a child, my parents would take me to Red Lobster and all I would eat would be their cheddar biscuits. I haven’t been to a Red Lobster in probably 10 years now, but the biscuits haunt me. So, when I was searching for inspiration and came across her recipe, I knew I had to do it. I had to know if I could make something so wonderful on my own.

They were my favorite part of dinner last night, and the scampi was pretty darn good.

I’m not really sure what makes these scones instead of triangular biscuits, but the Contessa can call them whatever she likes. Now, I had some hesitation making these because of the directions. Most of her baking instructions assume you have a food processor and mixer. I don’t. So, every time it says to mix everything with a paddle on low setting or on high or until “just mixed”, I just reached my hands in and did it. There is something really satisfying about mixing dough with your hands. I’ve decided I’m going to stop being intimidated by recipes that specify a mixer. I’m just going to reach on in and do it! I suggest you give it a try.

These scones are delicate, crunchy on the bottom, and full of cheese. Watching spots of cheese ooze out of these while they were baking was rapturous. I had to bake them for the full suggested time and probably could have used a minute more. I suggest keeping an eye on them. Though, I could have thrown off the cooking time by my constant opening of the oven to see if they were done. It is a distinct possibility.

Also, here is a tip for the cutting part. When I was rolling the dough out, I wasn’t really sure how thick 3/4 was. So, I rolled it out to an approximate thickness and cut the dough into approximately 8 different squares. Well, mine were really long rectangles. So, I knew the dough was too thin. But, once things are portioned properly, I just squeezed the dough into the approximate 4 inch squares and then cut them diagonally. They came out the perfect size. It helps to know exactly how many a recipe makes! This makes 16.

Go make these soon. You won’t regret it. (This picture is also from the cookbook.)

Picture of Cheddar-Dill Scones Recipe

Cheddar-Dill Scones (makes 16 large scones)

Ingredients

  • 4 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, divided
  • 2 tablespoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 pound cold unsalted butter, diced
  • 4 extra-large eggs, beaten lightly
  • 1 cup cold heavy cream
  • 1/2 pound extra-sharp yellow Cheddar, small-diced
  • 1 cup minced fresh dill
  • 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water or milk, for egg wash

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine 4 cups of flour, the baking powder, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Add the butter and mix on low speed until the butter is in pea-sized pieces. Mix the eggs and heavy cream and quickly add them to the flour-and-butter mixture. Combine until just blended. Toss together the Cheddar, dill, and 1 tablespoon of flour and add them to the dough. Mix until they are almost incorporated.

Dump the dough onto a well-floured surface and knead it for 1 minute, until the Cheddar and dill are well distributed. Roll the dough 3/4-inch thick. Cut into 4-inch squares and then in half diagonally to make triangles. Brush the tops with egg wash. Bake on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for 20 to 25 minutes, until the outside is crusty and the inside is fully baked.

1,146 Comments

  1. I like what you guys are up too. Such intelligent work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site 🙂

  2. A person necessarily assist to make severely posts I’d state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I amazed with the analysis you made to make this actual publish incredible. Excellent process!

  3. It’s a shame you don’t have a donate button! I’d most certainly donate to this brilliant blog! I guess for now i’ll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to fresh updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Chat soon!|

  4. Good write-up, I am regular visitor of one¡¦s blog, maintain up the nice operate, and It’s going to be a regular visitor for a long time.

  5. I just hope to reveal to you that I’m really fresh to writing a blog and extremely adored your information. Very likely I am probably to remember your blog post . You seriously have excellent article content. Love it for expressing with us your site write-up.

  6. Normally I do not read post on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing style has been amazed me. Thanks, quite nice article.

  7. Hi there everyone, it’s my first pay a visit at this web site, and paragraph is in fact fruitful in support of me, keep up posting these articles.|

  8. Nice read, I just passed this onto a friend who was doing some research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!

  9. I needed to thank you for this wonderful read!! I absolutely enjoyed every bit of it. I’ve got you book-marked to check out new stuff you post…

  10. You are so interesting! I do not suppose I have read through something like this before. So nice to discover someone with a few unique thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This website is something that is required on the web, someone with a bit of originality!

  11. Hey, you used to write wonderful, but the last several posts have been kinda boring¡K I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a bit out of track! come on!

  12. It certainly is practically unattainable to see well-advised viewers on this niche, however, you appear like you realize the things that you’re posting on! Cheers

  13. Now I am going to do my breakfast, afterward having my breakfast coming again to read other news.|

  14. I every time emailed this web site post page to all my friends, for the reason that if like to read it afterward my links will too.|

  15. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your website and in accession capital to assert that I acquire actually enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I’ll be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently quickly.|

  16. Usually I do not read article on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very pressured me to try and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great article.

  17. A big thank you for your blog. Great.

  18. I like the valuable information you provide in your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I’m quite sure I’ll learn many new stuff right here! Best of luck for the next!

  19. I¡¦ll right away seize your rss as I can not find your e-mail subscription link or e-newsletter service. Do you have any? Please allow me realize in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.

  20. hello there and thank you for your information – I have certainly picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical issues using this web site, since I experienced to reload the web site lots of times previous to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Well I’m adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update this again soon..

  21. I have to show some appreciation to the writer for bailing me out of this circumstance. Because of browsing throughout the internet and obtaining solutions which were not powerful, I was thinking my entire life was done. Existing devoid of the strategies to the issues you’ve resolved by means of this article is a critical case, as well as those which could have in a wrong way affected my entire career if I hadn’t noticed the website. Your personal capability and kindness in controlling a lot of things was valuable. I’m not sure what I would have done if I hadn’t discovered such a thing like this. It’s possible to at this time relish my future. Thanks very much for the reliable and results-oriented guide. I will not think twice to suggest the blog to anyone who ought to have counselling about this subject.

  22. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this hike.

  23. There is clearly a bundle to identify about this. I feel you made some nice points in features also.

  24. I delight in, cause I found exactly what I was having a look for. You’ve ended my four day lengthy hunt! God Bless you man. Have a great day. Bye

  25. Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is very cool. I’m impressed by the details that you have on this web site. It reveals how nicely you perceive this subject. Bookmarked this web page, will come back for extra articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the information I already searched all over the place and simply could not come across. What a perfect web-site.

  26. I truly appreciate this post. I¡¦ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You have made my day! Thank you again

  27. I would like to thnkx for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping the same high-grade blog post from you in the upcoming also. Actually your creative writing skills has encouraged me to get my own web site now. Really the blogging is spreading its wings fast. Your write up is a great example of it.

  28. Well I truly enjoyed studying it. This tip procured by you is very effective for proper planning.

  29. Keep functioning ,great job!

  30. I wanted to send you the very small word to help say thanks a lot as before just for the spectacular information you have featured on this website. It’s certainly tremendously open-handed with you to deliver freely precisely what a number of us could possibly have sold for an e-book to make some profit on their own, specifically given that you might well have tried it in case you wanted. The tips likewise served to be a easy way to comprehend some people have a similar passion really like my very own to figure out very much more regarding this matter. I am certain there are millions of more enjoyable occasions ahead for people who looked at your website.

  31. Hello my loved one! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and include almost all important infos. I would like to peer more posts like this .

  32. Very neat post.Much thanks again. Cool.

  33. you are in point of fact a good webmaster. The website loading velocity is incredible. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterwork. you have done a great task on this matter!

  34. It’s almost extremely difficult to see well-educated women and men on this area, yet somehow you appear like you be aware of what exactly you’re preaching about! Gratitude

  35. Wow, marvelous blog structure! How long have you been running a blog for? you make blogging look easy. The full glance of your web site is excellent, let alone the content!

  36. Hello.This article was really fascinating, particularly since I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Tuesday.

  37. Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account it. Look advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?

  38. You made some nice points there. I did a search on the subject matter and found most people will approve with your blog.

  39. Thank you for any other informative site. Where else could I get that kind of info written in such an ideal way? I have a mission that I am simply now working on, and I’ve been at the glance out for such information.

  40. Your mode of explaining everything in this post is in fact pleasant, all be able to without difficulty understand it, Thanks a lot.|

  41. Hello. Great job. I did not imagine this. This is a great story. Thanks!

  42. Excellent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great website.

  43. excellent points altogether, you simply received a new reader. What may you suggest in regards to your put up that you made some days in the past? Any positive?

  44. Thanks for every other informative site. Where else could I am getting that type of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a mission that I’m simply now working on, and I have been at the glance out for such information.

  45. I simply wanted to compose a simple message to appreciate you for all the wonderful tips and tricks you are writing on this website. My considerable internet research has finally been compensated with reliable ideas to go over with my close friends. I would say that many of us site visitors are undeniably blessed to be in a fine place with very many lovely professionals with beneficial methods. I feel extremely privileged to have seen the site and look forward to many more thrilling times reading here. Thank you once more for everything.

  46. I simply hope to share it with you that I’m really inexperienced to posting and incredibly adored your post. Probably I am inclined to save your site post . You literally have extraordinary article reports. Like it for telling with us your site report.

  47. I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!

  48. I do not even know how I ended up here, but I thought this post was great. I don’t know who you are but certainly you are going to a famous blogger if you aren’t already 😉 Cheers!|

  49. It really is mostly close to impossible to see well-informed parties on this subject, still, you come across as like you comprehend what you’re raving about! Thanks

  50. I simply wanted to type a quick note in order to express gratitude to you for those amazing tips and tricks you are giving here. My extended internet look up has at the end of the day been paid with awesome concept to exchange with my best friends. I ‘d express that many of us readers actually are definitely blessed to dwell in a decent site with many brilliant individuals with interesting guidelines. I feel truly happy to have used the webpage and look forward to many more amazing times reading here. Thanks a lot once again for a lot of things.

Leave a Reply