Creole Shrimp and Pasta

Last week I went to the grocery store to figure out our meals for the week. As usual the question is, what do I make for dinner? This is a constant question that I have to ask myself. I don't mind cooking, but when you have very picky eaters, let's just say it can be a challenge.

Well, I noticed that a family pack of shrimp was on sale this week at Kroger. I decided to make a Creole styled dish. The recipe was inspired by something I had when I went out to lunch with my husband at Pappadeaux's Restaurant.

I started making a roux with butter and flour. I made it so the buttery sauce made a substantial amount to blend with the pasta.

Ingredients
1 1/2 pounds of shrimp
2 to 3 tablespoons of butter or margarine
1 tablespoon of flour
1 box of pasta
Tony's Chachere's Creole Seasoning
Salt to the taste
Pepper 1/4 teaspoon
Parsley (a dash)
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning.
Thyme 1/4 teaspoon
1/2 c. of pork sausage browned

I melted the butter first, then added my flour and stirred until I made a good sauce (about 5 min.)
Then I started adding all of my seasonings. Next I added the shrimp and stirred until they became pink. This takes roughly 5 minutes. I had already browned some pork sausage in another pot. I would also suggest substituting the sausage with bratwurst as an alternative. The last step was to add in my cooked pasta.

Well, let me tell you every plate was empty after this meal. My husband and very picky middle child who did not want it at first, also went back for seconds. Mama did good tonight!

For those who don't know much about Creole people. They are those who descended from settlers of African, French, and Spanish ancestry. Here is a little more information about the Creole culture here.

Basement Update

 

 

It has been a while since I posted our progress in our basement. To tell you the truth, with the kids home for the summer, progress slowed up a lot. My husband and I were busy going on vacation, going to the pool, movies, bowling and entertaining family and friends. However, I did start looking for frames to put family pictures down the stairs. I saw great idea on Pinterest.

I already had the black and gold and all gold frame. I will be adding more family pictures to the wall. I found this cute metal family sign at Hobby Lobby. As you can see my hubby still has to complete the trim to the stairs.

Our family finally decided to have a movie theme for our basement. My daughter suggested a Paris theme, but the boys would not go for that. 

I found this sign that will be on the wall as people walk down the steps. I purchased the sign at Hobby Lobby. This montage of pictures was a present my mom gave us for our 20th wedding anniversary in April.

 

 

Even though I still have several more boxes to open, you won't believe all the stuff we have donated or thrown away. I still have a lot more things to go through.

 

The left side of the room behind the bookshelf will be my studio space. The right side is the game area and workout space.

 

 

 

Here is a close up of my two sons sports teams photos. I put these Mickey Mouse ears just as a joke, but the family likes them since the color matches.

 

I purchased the sign and reel at Hobby Lobby as well. They had a great sale on the signs.

My junkie studio space that I am trying to organize.  I found a bookshelf with baskets at Target that I think will go great for my space.

 

How does it look so far?