Fabulous Dinner

Okay, I'm not exactly known for my cooking skills. I enjoy cooking, it's just such an effort for me. 2 of my girls were sick on Friday so we sat and watched some of their favorite TV channel-Food Network. Some of the recipes looked so delicious I just had to try them. Not only were they easy, but they turned out GREAT! Give 'em a try.




SCALLOPS PROVENCAL
1 pound fresh bay or sea scallops Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper All-purpose flour, for dredging 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, divided 1/2 cup chopped shallots (2 large) 1 garlic clove, minced 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves 1/3 cup dry white wine 1 lemon, cut in 1/2
If you're using bay scallops, keep them whole. If you're using sea scallops, cut each 1 in half horizontally. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, toss with flour, and shake off the excess.
In a very large saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over high heat until sizzling and add the scallops in 1 layer. Lower the heat to medium and allow the scallops to brown lightly on 1 side without moving them, then turn and brown lightly on the other side. This should take 3 to 4 minutes, total. Melt the rest of the butter in the pan with the scallops, then add the shallots, garlic, and parsley and saute for 2 more minutes, tossing the seasonings with the scallops. Add the wine, cook for 1 minute, and taste for seasoning. Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon juice.











HERBED BASMATI RICE
1 cup uncooked long-grain (white) basmati rice (recommended: Texmati) 1 3/4 cups water 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter 2 tablespoons minced fresh curly parsley leaves 1 tablespoon minced fresh dill leaves 1 tablespoon minced fresh scallions, white and green parts Pinch freshly ground black pepper
Combine the rice, 1 3/4 cups water, the salt, and butter in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat to low, stir once, and simmer, covered tightly, for 15 minutes. (I need to pull the pot half off the burner to keep it from boiling over.) Turn off the heat and allow the rice to sit covered for 5 minutes. Add the parsley, dill, scallions, and pepper. Fluff with a fork, and serve warm.

BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE TARTS

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 2 eggs 12 vanilla wafers 1 (21-ounce) can blueberry filling, or other pie filling
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place a paper cupcake liner in each cup of a muffin pan.
Beat cream cheese with a handheld electric mixer until fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Place a vanilla wafer, flat side down, in each muffin cup. Spoon cream cheese mixture over wafers. Bake for 20 minutes. Allow tarts to cool completely. Serve with blueberry filling on top, or pie filling of your choice.