NEW VIDEO RECIPE: Sundried Tomato and Almond Pesto

Sundried Tomato and Almond Pesto

Our latest video recipe in cooperation with CBC Newfoundland and Labrador is this beautiful and very versatile pesto. Simply toss it with your favorite cooked pasta for a quick and easy workday meal. It's a great vegetarian dish or you can add some simple grilled chicken or sauteed garlic shrimp to make it a more substantial meal for meat eaters. These simple additions make it ideal to serve at a dinner party where you can serve it both ways.

You can adjust the amount of oil in this pesto to suit your taste and purpose. Make it with less oil as a spread for crostini or add it to strained yogurt for a delicious veggie dip; two great ideas for entertaining.

If you make your own pasta, a thick version of this pesto also makes a delicious filling for ravioli, especially when served with alfredo sauce.

Find the full recipe by clicking here.

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NEW VIDEO RECIPE: Dijon Chicken Linguine with Crimini Mushrooms and Toasted Almonds

Dijon Chicken Linguine with Crimini Mushrooms and Toasted Almonds

Our video recipe collaboration with CBC Newfoundland and Labrador adds a new entry today with one of the most popular chicken recipes that we've ever had on Rock Recipes. To date it has had very near 600 THOUSAND hits on the website, along with numerous testimonials and rave reviews on our social media outlets. Many people have tried it over the past few years and it is one of those recipes we very often hear that people make over and over again.

The recipe is quite simple and based upon a restaurant dish I had many years ago. While the recipe can quite rightly be considered a "quick and easy" meal, it is also one I have served many times to guests at dinner, whether they are last minute friends dropping over or guests at well planned dinner parties. It really is versatile enough to be served casually or at a dressed up dinner. Fresh pasta, whether you make your own or buy it packaged, is sort of a must here but I won't tell if dry pasta is all you have on hand. If you want a recipe for homemade pasta click here to find it in our recipe for Chicken Parmesan Lasagna.

CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE RECIPE

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Sundried Tomato and Seafood Linguine

Sundried Tomato and Seafood Linguine

For the other three recipe ideas for a romantic dinner for two click here.

Treat your sweetheart to this delicious seafood dinner. This easy to prepare pasta dish is very fast to cook as well and can easily be ready in about 20 minutes. That makes it a great choice for a dinner party or even a dinner for two where kitchen time is kept to a minimum.

Serves 4

• 1 pound package fresh linguine, cooked
• 2 dozen shrimp
• 2 dozen scallops
• 1 cup diced red pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped, oil packed, sun dried tomatoes
• 3 tbsp olive oil

Heat olive oil in a large heavy bottomed frying pan over medium heat. Season the shrimp and scallops with salt and pepper and quickly saute them for a few minutes until almost completely cooked. Remove the seafood from the pan and set aside while you prepare the sauce.

Add to the pan:

• 2 cloves minced garlic Saute for only about 30 seconds to soften the garlic then add
• 4 oz white wine

Simmer until volume is reduced by half. Then add:

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh tarragon (or a fresh herb of your choice, basil, dill, or oregano are all good choices)
• Salt and pepper to season

Simmer until sauce thickens enough to coat a metal spoon. Return seafood to to the sauce, add the red pepper and  chopped sundried tomato and simmer for an additional 2 minutes. Serve over cooked linguine. Sprinkle with chopped crisp cooked bacon when serving (optional).

Sundried Tomato and Seafood Linguine