Italian Food and Family Memories

I love Italian food.  I think it's because my grandfather was Italian and I was raised eating Italian food.  It brings back wonderful family memories.  Every time I make Italian food, I think of my grandfather.  He was the best man I ever knew.  He was happy, caring, welcoming, honest, and loved any time with family.  It was never too loud, too messy, or too crowded when we were all together.  When my family was all together, there was a lot of us and it was loud and crowded, but it was wonderful.  There was always a lot of love.  Boy, do I miss my grandparents!  I know this may sound strange, but when I eat Italian food, I feel a little closer to my grandparents.

Shrimp Fettuccini Alfredo

1 pound fettuccini (or tri-color rotini) pasta

1 Tb. butter

1 lb. cooked shrimp - peeled and deveined

2 Tb garlic, minced

12 oz. broccoli

1 pepper diced
8 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced

½ grape tomatoes cut in half

1 jar Alfredo sauce

¼  cup Mozarella cheese

salt and pepper to taste

a little milk to make it creamier, if needed.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 10 minutes or until done; drain.  Add in broccoli, mushrooms, tomatoes, and peppers. Stir in shrimp, butter, and garlic. Pour in Alfredo Sauce; stir. Sprinkle Mozzarella cheese a little at a time, stirring constantly. After all the cheese has been added, mix in salt and pepper. Stir frequently making sure it does not boil or stick to the bottom of the pot.  Add milk if needed.  

Garlic Bread Knots

These are SO GOOD!  They go great with Italian food and are EASY to make because they are made with canned biscuits!!!!!  You might want to double the recipe because you're going to wish you had more.

Garlic Bread Knots

1 can large buttermilk biscuits (like Grands)

½ cup olive oil

1 Tb. parsley

½ tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. oregano

¼ cup Parmesan

Roll each biscuit out like you would if you made a Play-doh snake.  Tie each one into a knot.  Tuck the ends underneath.  In a bowl, mix olive oil, parsley, garlic powder, oregano, and Parmesan.  Stir well and dip biscuit knots into the mixture to coat the top and bottom. Sprinkle a little more Parmesan on top.  Place on a baking sheet and cook at 400 degrees for 17 minutes.