Creamy Pesto and Shrimp Penne with Peas

I still love my Southern Living magazines.  I follow lots of food bloggers on Instagram but I still love my Southern Living magazines!

I saw this easy recipe recently.  We love pesto, pasta and shrimp.  I have never been a huge fan of peas.  I guess I remembered canned peas as a child and my dad calling them "chinaberries".  I am a grown-up now and I can do peas.  This dish was great!

I didn't follow the directions (of course).  I bought precooked frozen shrimp at Costco and pesto at Costco.  I thawed the shrimp and cut off the tails.  I cooked the frozen peas separately and then combined everything.  Southern Living has you throw raw shrimp and frozen peas in the last few minutes of boiling the pasta.... I went a different route.  Feel free to visit Southern Living for their exact recipe.

Creamy Pesto and Shrimp Penne with Peas (adapted from Southern Living)

12 oz cooked penne pasta
1 lb medium frozen shrimp, thawed
1 cup or more of frozen peas, cooked
7 oz or more of refrigerated basil pesto
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup or more of Parmesan cheese, shredded
more Parmesan for topping

Thaw shrimp in refrigerator over night. Cook pasta according to directions.  Pat shrimp dry and cut tails off.  Cook frozen peas according to directions.  Drain pasta and gently toss with shrimp, pesto, peas and parmesan cheese. Top with more shredded parmesan.   Enjoy!

Air Fryer - Amazingly Moist Chicken

Do you have an air fryer?  I actually love mine.  I got mine from QVC and we use it often.  Chris loves to heat pizza, his hot dog bun (haha!).  Frozen french fries or chicken strips and other frozen food "cook up" amazingly in the air fryer - such great texture - way better than the oven.  I wish I had this when the girls were younger and needed a quick and easy meal.  This is also WAY easier/safer for teens than dealing with other kitchen gadgets.

We have cooked salmon, roasted veggies.  I have made jicama fries, radish fries.  Truly, just look on Pinrest for great air fryer ideas.

Yes, it is a pretty big gadget.  I store mine in the garage.  If you are looking to purchase one, be sure you get a decent size one, especially if you have a big family.

I have this one from QVC in red ... and love it.  My friend Barb has this one.... and she and her family use it daily.

I follow lots of food bloggers.  I follow Skinny Taste on Instagram and she recently posted this recipe for Air Fryer Chicken.  Please visit Skinny Taste has she gives lots helpful hints.

The first time I made this chicken, I used the seasonings she suggested.  Tonight, I made it was a seasoning that I highly recommend..... Primal Palate Meat and Potatoes Seasoning.  I follow this cute couple on Instagram and they have amazing seasonings.  I asked for these seasonings for my birthday last year and I have ordered more since.  I have Steak Seasoning, Super Gyro, Amore', Meat and Potatoe and Bae Seasoning.  I hope to order more soon.  They are made with very clean ingredients and have amazing flavor.  Visit Primal Palate and check out all they have to order - another great gift!  They have lots of recipes on their site too!

Instant Read Thermometer - love this handy gadget

So, I found this new gadget that I love to use in my cooking.  Chris is our griller but we both love this Instant Read Thermometer.  It is small and speedy.  I love it.   I use it often - just used recently when cooking salmon in the iron skillet or tonight when cooking chicken in the air fryer (will share soon).  This Instant Read Thermometer is small and oh so handy!  I got mine on Amazon!  This would be a great gift for the cook in your family!