"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart."
~ Celia Thaxter

'Old Garden Companions'
(Daisy/Purple Coneflower)

PURPLE PLEASURES
(Phlox, Purple Coneflowers, Dwarf Chinese Astile, Daylily)

Astilbe, hosta, Rose of Sharon, Hydrangea
LEMON PASTA with ROASTED SHRIMP
~ Summer friendly ... light/luscious adapted from Ina Garten
2 lbs. (peeled and deveined) large shrimp
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
4 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves minced garlic
2 lemons, zested and juiced
1 lb. angel hair pasta
fresh chopped basil to taste
Grated Parmesan or fresh feta cheese to taste (optional)
- Preheat oven to 400º and bring large pot of water to boil.
- Place shrimp on baking sheet with olive oil, salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss well and spread over pan. Roast for 6-8 minutes, just until pink and cooked through.
- While shrimp are roasting, melt butter and olive oil. Cook garlic until soft. Add lemon juice, zest and a touch of salt to taste. Add salt and a drizzle of olive oil to boiling water. Cook pasta al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain, reserving some cooking liquid.
- Quickly toss pasta in butter/olive oil. Add roasted shrimp and 1/2 cup of reserved cooking liquid. Toss again adding fresh basil.
- Serve hot topped with cheese. (6 servings)
Note: A good garden fresh salad and favorite summer wine makes the meal complete.

Daisy

Purple Coneflower

Garden Pleasures
(Phlox, White Coneflower)


Hardy Hibiscus
(Rose Mallow)



Ivy Geranium

"Summer's lease hath all too short a date."
~ William Shakespeare
Comments
It is possible I might've left my artistic gene in my other pants :Þ
In any case, I'll just have to console myself with your awesome pasta dish!
And then there are those gorgeous photos!
Love it all.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Eileen
Hi Jennifer and thank you. These dwarf Chinese astilbe, so close to the ground, are a challenge to shoot. Thankfully we are secluded enough so the neighbors can't see me crawling around on the ground :)
Thanks, dear Jen! The summer is flying by way too fast for me. How 'bout you!
BIG THANKS, i mac :)
You are a dear, Freda, and thank you. I do remember that you can't eat shrimp/shellfish ... so I will devour them for you :)
Thank you, Eileen. Shrimp is a staple in our diet ... so versatile ... love it!
So happy, happy, that you enjoyed, dear Liz! Wish I could have been near to enjoy and taste your take/twist on the recipe ... :)