I’m always torn when it comes to going out to dinner on Valentine’s, or staying in and cooking a special meal. I prefer the unabbreviated menu at my favorite restaurants, and some limit your choices that evening.

When making a list of pros and cons, it is an even tie. So, here is a wonderful, yummy option for you and your entire family if you find yourself at home this year.

V is not just for Valentine’s.

Foolproof Baked Shrimp over Pasta

Serves 4 to 6

2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed

¼ cup olive oil

¼ cup chopped parsley

4 cloves garlic, minced

½ teaspoon red pepper flakes

¼ cup butter, melted

¼ cup Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

½ cup Parmesan, freshly grated

8 ounces of thin spaghetti, cooked

Hot French bread

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

Place shrimp in a medium-size bowl. Combine next 4 ingredients in a small bowl; pour over shrimp, and toss to coat.

Evenly arrange shrimp in a single layer in a 2-quart baking dish. Cover with foil, and bake 15 minutes. Remove from oven, turn shrimp over, and drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with Panko and Parmesan cheese.

Bake uncovered 10 to 15 more minutes. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes for a browner top, if desired. Serve over pasta family style with French bread.

Learn from Leslie: Be sure to have lots of hot, crusty French bread. The dipping in the butter and juices is the best part! Serve with a simple green vegetable or salad.

Leslie Byars Register

Yields 4 to 6 servings

Foolproof Baked Shrimp Over Pasta

Save Recipe

Print Recipe

My Recipes My Lists My Calendar

Ingredients

• 2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails removed
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped parsley
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• ¼ cup Panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• ½ cup Parmesan, freshly grated
• 8 ounces of thin spaghetti, cooked
• Hot French bread

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
2. Place shrimp in a medium-size bowl. Combine next 4 ingredients in a small bowl; pour over shrimp, and toss to coat.
3. Evenly arrange shrimp in a single layer in a 2-quart baking dish. Cover with foil, and bake 15 minutes.
4. Remove from oven, turn shrimp over, and drizzle with melted butter. Sprinkle with Panko and Parmesan cheese.
5. Bake uncovered 10 to 15 more minutes. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes for a browner top, if desired. Serve over pasta family style with French bread.

7.8.1.2

24

https://dearpartydiary.com/will-you-accept-this-rose/

For the Kids

Let’s be honest, when you are making sugar cookies all you really want to do is decorate them. Why waste time making them from scratch, letting the dough chill, and prolonging the fun.

Three-Ingredient Icing

Powdered sugar

Whole milk

Food coloring

Place powdered sugar in a small bowl or ramekin. Add milk 1 teaspoon at a time until the desired consistency. Go slowly! It does not take much. Use food coloring to make as many colors as you would like. Ice cookies and decorate with sprinkles. Allow to dry completely.

Hopes and Dreams Garland Kit

Another clever idea to entertain the kids, or adults for that matter, is this ribbon garland kit from Stellar, a cute tweens shop, in Rosemary Beach, Florida. I actually brought this to my daughter Sallie as a gift, but couldn’t wait to do it myself!

Valentine’s Coffee Bar

To top off the evening, set up a coffee bar for the adults. There is no need to buy large bottles of different liquors—pick up an assortment of miniatures and place them in a cute basket. It feels as special as getting the mini jelly from a room service tray. Serve with whipped cream and, of course, the cookies!

Pretty things make pretty pictures.