Tuscan Kale Pesto Pizza With Shrimp Scampi Recipes

TUSCAN KALE PESTO PIZZA WITH SHRIMP SCAMPI

Steps:

• For the Tuscan kale pesto: Place the entire dressed salad--including the hazelnuts, raisins and shaved pecorino--in a food processor and process to a fine paste. With the motor running, stream in the olive oil until the paste loosens into a pesto. Use immediately or store in an airtight container for up to 2 days before using. (Makes 2 1/2 cups; see Cook's Note.)
• For the shrimp scampi: Heat the butter and olive oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle the shrimp with 2 teaspoons salt; add to the hot pan, along with the garlic. Cook until the shrimp are just starting to turn pink, 3 minutes. Add the wine and chile paste, and bring to a boil; boil until the shrimp are cooked through and the wine is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice and lemon zest. Season with more salt if needed.
• For the pizza: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with foil.
• Place the flatbreads, bottom-side up, on the prepared baking sheets; brush each with 1 tablespoon of the oil. Transfer to the oven and toast until just beginning to brown and get crispy. Let cool for 5 minutes.
• Turn the flatbreads over, spread 1/4 cup kale pesto over each and then sprinkle each with 1/3 cup of the fontina. Place back in the oven for another 5 minutes, until the top edges have browned slightly and the cheese is melted. Remove from the oven and top with 6 to 8 pieces of shrimp per pizza. Spoon over some scampi sauce.
• Cut the pizzas into smaller pieces and serve immediately.
• In a large bowl, combine the kale and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Massage the salt into the kale and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. In another bowl, combine the raisins, 1/4 cup of the vinegar and 1/4 cup hot water. Rehydrate the raisins for at least 15 minutes. Drain when ready to serve.
• Combine anchovies, grated pecorino, shallots, honey and the remaining 1/4 cup vinegar in a blender. Blend on high speed until smooth. With the motor running, slowly add in the oil. Pour the dressing over the salad at least 15 minutes before serving to help further tenderize the kale.
• When ready to serve, add the toasted hazelnuts and plumped golden raisins to the salad, and garnish with shaved pecorino.

TUSCAN SHRIMP

Steps:

• Add the oil to a large saute pan over high heat. Next, add the shrimp and cook. Sprinkle the shrimp with the salt and pepper, with a stirring motion, and cook until the shrimp are medium-rare in temperature, about 2 minutes. Next, deglaze the pan with the wine and add the tapenade. Reduce the heat and stir the tapenade into the shrimp. After blending the tapenade in, add the marinara, stir again and allow to warm, about 2 minutes. Finally, add the cooked spaghetti, stir and warm until the spaghetti is hot, about 3 minutes. Again, toss and serve or portion the pasta. Finish with the Parmesan and basil.

MY SPECIAL SHRIMP SCAMPI FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Combine the butter and the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in pesto, garlic, and tomatoes, and simmer until the tomatoes start to soften, about 2 minutes. Season with red pepper flakes and black pepper to taste.
• Stir the shrimp into the sauce, and cook just until they turn pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the spinach, and stir until wilted, about 1 minute.

GRILLED PESTO PIZZA WITH MARINATED MOZZARELLA AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Add to a high-powered blender the basil, arugula, Parmesan, garlic and a pinch of salt and blend while streaming in the mozzarella oil until smooth. Taste and add salt as needed. Set aside.
• Preheat an outdoor grill to high (500 to 550 F.) While your grill is heating, lightly oil a large sheet pan (or 3 half-sheet pans) and place your dough balls on top. Use your fingers to stretch the pizza dough balls into a loose circle or oval about 1/8-inch-thick. Don't get too hung up on the shape, irregular is beautiful. Work your way around the dough to make sure that it's an even thickness throughout. Lightly brush oil on the top of the dough as well. Lightly sprinkle the tomatoes with salt.
• Place your doughs on the hot grill and close the lid. Cook until golden brown char marks appear and the doughs are cooked on the underside, 2 to 3 minutes. Open the lid of the grill, flip the doughs over and quickly spoon the pesto over top of the cooked side leaving a little border for the crust. Top with the sliced tomatoes and marinated mozzarella. Close the lid and cook until the cheese melts and the doughs are completely cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the grill and enjoy.

SHRIMP SCAMPI ZOODLES

Steps:

• Grate 3 of the garlic cloves and add to a large mixing bowl. Add the shrimp, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Whisk to combine. Slice the remaining 3 cloves of garlic and set aside.
• Thinly slice the remaining garlic cloves.
• Heat a large high-sided skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Once the butter melts add the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp is pink and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Remove the shrimp to a plate.
• Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the butter melts, add the shallot and sliced garlic. Cook, stirring, until the shallots are slightly soft and the garlic is fragrant, about 2 minutes.
• Add the white wine, lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes. Deglaze the pan, scraping up any brown bits that have formed on the bottom of the pan. Cook until the harsh alcohol smell burns off and the liquid is slightly reduced, about 2 minutes.
• Next, add the zoodles and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the zoodles are slightly softened but still have some bite, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the shrimp back into the pan and toss to combine. Turn off the heat and add the chopped chives and parsley. Serve immediately.