Now I don’t want everyone to get so excited, were not the Ritz, we do serve quite a selection, but we are still just a school, and just a school food service company, and we still have to pay our own way, we have no subsidies. It’s a little scary for me this year, while I am excited to be back at work, I will be bringing all my new friends along, trying out so many of the wonderful recipes you have taught me. I just don’t want to disappoint any of you.
While I do my best to teach my girls to eat better, and to try new foods, I still have to make my budgets and that means getting as many of my girls to eat as possible. So I serve something for everyone, while on my quest to serve better school food. I’ll explain more of our menu and the process on Wednesdays post.So enough of that stuff for now, I’m actually feeling a lot better, see what talking to my friends does for me!
My wife had a hard week, she started teaching in a classroom again after 12 years as a resource teacher, and the last 4 as a reading specialist. Thursday night I left Sangria for her to wind down with, and when I did get home she was making good use of it…….Friday I wanted to make something special for dinner, so while she enjoyed a glass of sangria, I started on dinner.
It’s just a simple pasta dish with her favorite aioli sauce, but it definitely was good eating.
Seafood Linguine for Two
1 8 oz Lobster Tail
8 16-20 count Shrimp
8 Sea Scallops
1/2 lb Linguine
1 small Tomato diced
2 cloves of Garlic sliced
1 Tablespoon fresh Basil chopped
pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
Extra virgin olive oil
Splash of white wine (optional)
2 tablespoons of butter
flour
water from cooking pasta
1 Eggplant, peeled and sliced into 1/4 inch cutlets.
seasoned flour
egg wash
seasoned bread crumbs
extra virgin olive oil
Start by preparing your eggplant cutlets, now this is a step you can omit if you like, but I do love eggplant as a base and have served it with seafood in different sauces through out my career. I used Sicilian eggplants because they were so nice and round and perfect for cutlets. I didn’t soak these or do any other pre-prep too them, I just peeled them, sliced them and breaded them. I always start the process of breading the same way for meats or veggies, flour seasoned with salt and pepper, eggwash- a couple eggs lightly beaten with the addition of about a half cup of milk, and just store bought seasoned bread crumbs.
Heat your olive oil in a large frying pan, and saute the breaded eggplant on each side 3-4 minutes until golden brown. Allow the finished eggplants to dry on paper towels, then place them in a 300 degree oven while you start your pasta.
While your pasta water is heating, get all of your prep done for your sauté dish. As soon as your pasta water is ready, place your Linguine in the pot, ( I like De Cecco brand the best) cook according to the directions on the box. This should allow you enough time to cook your seafood.
In a large sauté pan, add the olive oil, and garlic. As soon as the pan is gets hot, add your lobster and scallops they should take the longest to cook, sauté them for about 5 minutes then add your shrimp, tomatoes, basil, and red pepper flakes. Continue to saute for about 4 minutes until shrimp is done. Add your splash of white wine to deglaze the pan, and add some water from your pasta cooking pot to help make the sauce.
At this time you will need to thicken your sauce and the easiest way is how I used to do it in the restaurant. Make a beurre manie. Simply take your butter and press it into the flour, as much as will cling to the butter, do your butter in a few pieces so you are able to add enough flour to thicken your sauce. When adding butter or really good olive oil to a dish you always do it at the end of the process, so you are able to still taste the butter or oil. If you start the dish in the good stuff , the flavors will overwhelm them. So save that drizzle of really good olive oil, or that chunk of butter until you are finishing your sauce and ready to serve.
Your sauté is done, your buerre manie has done its job and thickened your sauce. Do not allow it to get too hot at this point or it will start to separate and you will have to keep mixing it to bring it back together. If it does break, a little more of the pasta water will help pull it back together.
Drain your pasta, place some on your plate next to one of your eggplant cutlets and top both the pasta and eggplant with your seafood.
I do enjoy my seafood pasta dishes with grated Romano cheese, I know this goes against what they do in Italy, but I love cheese with my seafood so I add it.
Feel free to use any combination of seafood you might like or to even make the sauce red, I actually enjoy good lump crab meat instead of the lobster, but I didn’t have any on hand. I hope you enjoy this wonderful dish and thanks for stopping by!
I'm already mourning the end of summer by drinking as many gin and tonics as possible! But I'm looking forward to the fantastic foods of fall, like soup and stews.
Oh my goodness, that looks divine!
We were talking about the same thing tonight – can't believe summer's almost over. Then, talked about you because I made glop for a couple of lunches next week. Six weeks worth of menus! Wow. Gone are the days when schools had the same five things. To this day if I say it's Wednesday, Connie says Prince Spaghetti Day! Your seafood looks magnificent. Love the eggplant cutlet with it. Good luck with the start of school!! Kate (kateiscooking)
That linguine looks delicious! I, too, can't believe that summer is almost over. It went so quickly! Glad you are starting to feel better
Denise, truly, you could never disappoint! This is such a wonderful class with BIG flavors. We don't eat pasta enough–I need to get on that!
Here in Texas, we have at least six more weeks of summer-like temps ahead…calendar be damned
! Shrimp is one of my favorite things to cook. Saving to try!
I'm torn between mourning the end of summer and looking forward to fall colours and foods (it's almost apple pie season!)
Your linguini sounds amazing. I need to pick up some scallops and make it very soon.
I am so excited to see what you serve at school. I am SO sure it is exponentially better than a simple public school menu. Your pasta…yum. What a delightful dish.
Chef Dennis, glad to hear that you are feeling better now. The seafood pasta looks so mouth-watering!
If you lived here in Vegas I can guarantee you would be begging for summer to be over. I don't like freezing my buns off but roasting isn't pleasant either. I say bring on autumn! Pumpkins, autumn inspired dinners, cool mornings, sweaters, ahhh. Love it.
And the recipe looks delish. Too bad I can't eat seafood let alone even like it. Phooey. Can chicken be a substitute for it?
Mmmm, that pasta looks super delicious and comforting after a long week!
Your seafood and linguini dish looks so delicious. And I love the addition of the eggplant. I hope you feel better and I'm looking forward to your menu on Wednesday.
s we never really had summer here in San Diego I'm with you… let's start over! I really am not looking forward to cooler weather, or pumpkins, nutmeg or apples. I'm still waiting for my garden to take off, it just never was happy in or chilly, foggy weather. Ah well… I can't complain too much! Your photo is enticing!
Now this would make Ryan VERY HAPPY. He loves seafood and pasta (as do I). But I wish that we felt like summer was going to end. It is still so hot here in Texas, which I'm sure you can remember. We are missing the East Coast and its glorious fall. Enjoy it for me!
Wow, this looks fantastic! That breaded and fried eggplant is just over the top amazing.I've never seen anything like that. I love it!
I hope you feel better asap! Happy Labor day!
Summer is over for you and winter is for me.
Chef Dennis, I would like a summer "do over" also! As you know, summers are usually the busiest for many restaurants and I haven't had enough time to play!
Your pasta dish looks delicious and perfectly cooked shrimp are always a delight to see.
I wish you creative genious & good fortune as you work to balance menus, budgets, palate preferences, and student skill levels… I know it can be challenging.
Un plato super interesante sobre todo por los ingredientes que has usado. Esto se ve divino.
Saludos
Hi Chef Dennis,
This is such a wonderful dish with all my favorites. I love that you breaded the eggplant as well. Oh I can taste all those wonderful flavors. So close, yet so far away. You sure know how to combine delicious ingredients to come up with such divine dishes. DROOL!
This pasta looks fantastic
Now I know what I want for lunch!
It is 5 am and I am salivating!
Seafood and pasta, what could be better. I also prepare the menu two weeks ahead for us, I do not have so many people to feed though. Sometimes it gives me a headache but now since I have been blogging new ideas are coming to me every day since I have been browsing all the beautiful blogs around the world. How lucky are those girls!
I can imagine you feel drained after all that hard work! I've been training in food service as part of my RD rotations and whew! Not easy! I have a lot of respect for you, especially as you're trying to teach the girls healthy eating as well. Love the simple pasta – just what you need for busy days!
I hope you feel 100% better and energized soon!
Shrimp is one of my favorite things to cook.
Your pasta…fantastic!!!
I can taste all those wonderful flavors!!!
This dish looks fantastic and I like the addition of the fried eggplant.
Wow, that looks incredible!!!
That looks amazing…I will definitely by trying it. Thanks so much for sharing! Glad you are feeling better. Today is the first cool morning in CT and it is welcome relief. I love Fall in New England! Looking forward to more of your posts!
Dennis, I do so wish our schools had you! (and so does Allie!) happy Fall and please stay well- we'd miss you!
xoxo Pattie
I think your "simple" dish looks and sounds spectacular. I'd love to be sipping a sangria and waiting for it to appear on my plate!!
Hope you are o.k.!
There's still another week + a few days of summer so enjoy!!
Best,
Bonnie
Summer is practically over. Where did it go? Though I am ready for fall, 2010 just whizzed by!
This dish looks really yummy! Too bad Husband won't eat seafood, guess I'll be making it for "one" and just eating both portions!
Glad you're feeling better. I love how you love your wife. It's very sweet. (Having been a teacher in another life, I totally understand what she must be feeling.) The pasta sounds awesome. I think I could eat pasta every day and still be a happy camper. My sister and her kids have been visiting from Denver for the past 6 weeks. She goes home tomorrow, so for me summer really does end today. Sigh.
What a perfect meal for two. And I hope you're feeling better Chef. Good luck with the menu and your girls!
This pasta looks wonderful. I'm loving all of the fresh summer pasta dishes I'm seeing on everyone's blogs. Yum.
I can feel the changing of seasons and it freaks me out. When I lived in California you couldn't feel it like here in New England. It is an eerie feeling. I hate losing summer and swimming pool parties and eating outside. All part of the cycle though.
Dennis, Hope you caught your second wind and are ready for your first day back. I'm sure your students will appreciate your efforts, just as we do!
Blarg. I start school tomorrow too. I wish you were making my lunches!
I hope you are feeling better today Dennis! The pasta dish looks beautiful and sounds delicious! I look forward to your posts regarding the school menu!
And by the way, it's good to know that even a seasoned chef like yourself is worried about disappointing people regarding food…I don't feel so bad now that I have those thoughts quite frequently! (I posted the stuffed pork chops we spoke of and I don't think I even got them close to what you would have done…very worried that I'd disappoint you!! http://jennsfoodjourney.blogspot.com/2010/09/stuffed-pork-chops.html)
Hope you're feeling 100% today, Dennis!
No need to apologize for the Mount's menus on a budget? Who isn't looking for budget meals these days? Your recipes are so inspired, I'm looking forward to seeing what your cooking for your girls!
Your seafood pasta looks amazing! Your wife is so lucky.
What a lucky wife you have! You are one sweet husband. I'm glad you are feeling better. This meal looks to die for!
mouthwatering plate of food
Wow you did all that while feeling sick? I'm impressed, I didn't know men did that I thought only women did…hehe! You are such a thoughtful husband, and your meal looks great! I like the idea of the eggplant as the base. We love eggplant around here!
We didn't actually have a real summer by our California standards, but I'm sad to see it go all the same.
The seafood pasta is making my mouth water and it's only breakfast-time! What a great farewell-to-summer-dish.
I love the simplicity of this dish!
Its sad summer is over, but we never had one really down here in Los Angeles. We dont have any seasons really…. But I teach cooking at schools so I'm back to work as well. Its bittersweet, but least we have the wonderful fall food to look forward too!
i'm looking forward to seeing what you have planned ahead, the new foods, etc.
this summer has been great. i can't imagine being back at school but since you'll be with food, then that makes it so much better, lol!
wishing you a great year!
Glad you feel better! Looks delicious as usual. I am eagerly awaiting fall-I'm done with summer!
Glad you are doing better. The linguine dish looks awesome. Well done.
Oh my gosh, that looks awesome! I so wish I wasn't allergic to scallops, they're so yummy…I'm definitely going to do something with some eggplant before summer is actually gone!
Hope you are feeling better, and thanks for sharing this lovely end-of-summer dish! In some ways I'd love to have a do-over of summer, but I'm looking forward to fall flavors too.
Seafood Linguine for one if it were down to me!
Yikes, hope you're feeling better Dennis! Your seafood pasta looks nomalicious =)
Also, I too am mourning the end of summer, but unlike you who has apparently had the most wonderful summer ever, our summer appears to have never arrived! Stoopid UK…
Jax x
this looks amazing and so easy to make too!
I am sad about the end of summer as well. Your students are lucky to have you. I'd send me daughter to your school for sure!
You sound worn out already! I hope things come together smoothly for both of you as the change is made. Disappoint any of us?? Now how would you do that? I can't wait to see the things you come up with and hear about your stories from school. Those girls are very fortunate that you care for their nutrition and not simply cramming food into their mouths to satisfy hunger. I hope you and your Mrs. have a good week.
You can never have too many pasta dishes, and this one sounds like a great one to try. Too bad my husband wouldn't eat the shrimp, but I would!
That is the good thing about having a chef for husband. Not only says nice words to you when you are stressed or down but also cooks for you such lovely dishes. Very lucky indeed!
Beautiful meal, Chef! I'm glad you're feeling better. I must be contrary, though. I adore all the summer fare and beautiful produce…but I will not miss hot weather (although we could still be in store for hot blistering weather in the next months, yet). I'm welcoming our version of Fall. I wouldn't mind the do over, only to gain the three months again to relive it. Hope you're enjoying the rest of the Labor Day weekend/holiday!
)
I hope you are feeling better soon. Many who work in food service management can attest to the challenges of achieving nutritious fare that is appealing to students while staying within budget. I honor you work and I'm sure your students will be benefit from your experience and creativity.
Big sigh to the end of summer. I'd like a repeat, please.
Excellent Don't get me wrong he is an awesome man, but I wish he would know how to cook!
Love the seafood linguine, two thumbs up!
Have a blessed week
wonderful combination of flavors on that dish, Dennis. I do understand your dilemma… budget is the master, isn't it? You have to be extra extra creative to work magic within those strictures and get kids to eat it… bless you for trying so hard!
Hello Dennis! Ah yes… the love of working within schools is that we have our Summer's off… but the first week back just about kills us all! Be well this week, get some sleep and keep your wife happy with that Sangria – I wish you two the best as your new school year begins – Megan
un piatto eccezionale..da leccarsi i baffi! complimenti! ciao!
Lucky wife to get to come home to this lovely dinner you prepared for her. Best wishes for both of you for the upcoming school year. It's a wonderful thing you both do…impacting children for the rest of their lives…how can other career top that?
It's mouth-watering delicious!!!!!!
I love the recipe. I know, I don't believe how fast the time has past.
I love to cook in the fall but I'm sad to see summer go. Kids are back in college and the grill gets put away soon.
Plan B
This dish looks so appetizing and flavorful, as usual! Good luck on your new blog, we can't wait, Dennis! Glad you're feeling better now, but I think it's a good idea to have everything checked out medically, hmm?
I can't believe that summer is almost over. I love fall, but it's coming so soon!
What a great meal and a lucky wife who got to eat it.
Can't wait to read your blog and see all your fantastic food this school year.
*sigh* ..this post makes me long for seafood…somewhere in my teens I became deathly allergic to shellfish, which is an utter tragedy because I LOVE it. You are such a good hubby taking care of your wife, and i know how you feel, even if you love your work it's still stressful at times.
A wonderfully delicious seafood pasta and I love the addition of the breaded eggplant – yummy!
Oh Dennis, I'm sure your menu will be just perfect with all of the heart you seem to put into everything. And speaking of that, this pasta and shrimp look divine-seriously. I would eat two servings of that if I could (smile).
Oh, and I hope you feel completely better soon…!
I'm so glad you enjoyed a pleasant last weekend before school begins. I hope you and your wife both have a wonderful year of work.
Your seafood linguine looks absolutely fantastic!
I wish I was there. Those seafood have really tempting look
I am so sorry to hear that you were not feeling well.
Mandy
I love your recipe. It is what my husband and I would call a "taste-explosion" and I am looking forward to purchasing the ingredients to make this fabulous dish.
Dennis – what a wonderful pasta dish! Your wife is so lucky to have you cook for her *sigh* Btw- I love De Cecco pasta too! It has a very nice bite that most other brands seem to lack, somehow…
Do take care of yourself Dennis and I hope you enjoy what's left of summer to the fullest
Lovely post, Dennis. I enjoy reading it. Always enjoy reading about your adventure in cooking and work and family life. You are such a sweet husband. My hubby is sweet but when you talk about cooking, he would run a thousand miles aways…haha. Well, I have the whole kitchen to myself and no one to disturb me
Love your dish. I'm bookmarking it to try. The sauce looks very delicious. I'm sure my family would love it. Love your pictures too. Wish I can take such good, sharp pictures like you!
Dennis…for so many reasons too long to get into here…the Fall season is my very favourite time of year. I am however, already feeling the sadness to let go most of our market's fresh produce. Oh well…it happens to the living ;o)
That seafood pasta dish would be devoured with a huge smile on my face!
Ciao for now,
Claudia
Best wishes for a great school year! Looking forward to seeing your recipes. This recipe is wonderful…my husband's all-time favorite..looking forward to trying it.
You are so nice making your wife sangria…she needed it…that is tough going back to teaching a class. I would help out sometimes in my children's classrooms when they were younger and would feel like I wanted to pass out after an hour..lol..great respect for teachers:)
this looks wonderful! Looking forward to reading more of your posts
The linguine looks so light & summery which is exciting because for us…., summer is just around the corner. Love the eggplant cutlet addition, interesting.
I hate to see the summer is coming to an end. I so wish we could have a do over, but guess we'll have to wait until next year. Your linguine looks delicious. That is probably one of my favorite things to eat linguine with seafood. Once again love your post and most important, glad to hear you're feeling better!
Funny. I just posted a beer-butter sauce for shrimp today. Great minds…
Added you to my blogroll! Thanks for always being an inspiration.
School has left me pretty winded also so I know how you feel! So much to do and so little time. It must be nice to sit back and relax with such a tasty meal as this, though!
Glad you are feeling better! Sometimes we just need to step back and unwind. The shrimp in your recipe look so good and I love the fried eggplant on the side. Will be tuning into your post on Wednesday! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Chef Dennis!!
Wow, if that is what you do when you are feeling a tad under the weather when you are at full capacity you must be a force to be reckoned with!! Your wife is a lucky woman (and I am sure she knows it!!) I am really enjoying your blog and can't wait to see the menus you've come up with for "your girls"!!
You have been busy! Summer went so fast this year, maybe it is because I am getting older
Looks great Chef Dennis… I'd have that and a glass of sangria anytime
Hope you feel better soon!
If you have similar recipes for fall and winter I won't be missing summer that much except for the sunshine.
I'm with you – the end of summer is such a drag. But I'm looking forward to the fun foods of fall!
I feel for your end of the summer. Where I live, Sept is the hottest month. Don't be too envious though. This summer was extremely cool. I love seafood pastas; so quick and easy. Lobster tail — never worked with that. Glad to hear you're feeling better.
Lovely pasta dish, Dennis, and how sweet is that to leave some sangria waiting for your exhausted wife?
My end of summer is no longer determined by school as the kids are grown. AND Florida really doesn't have an end of summer until November, if then. I do love fall food though, I must admit.
The linguini looks divine…hope you feel better soon–maybe you need a medicinal dose of that sangria yourself!
Im glad you are feeling better Dennis. The dish looks wonderful…even if it would kill me (allergic to shellfish). Have a great year at school. I'm kind of excited to check out your menus. I guess Im a little jealous. That would be such a wonderful job to me.
Well this just looks absolutely delicious! I thought Mountain Man made me some good meals, but this is waaay better
I can't believe summer is over, but then again in the working world do we really even get a summer!?
Glad to know that you are feeling better. It's always tougher, when you are feeling under the weather and have deadlines to meet.
I am good with Summer almost being over, it's darn hot here in Florida and I crave cooler temps.
The linguine looks wonderful!
i cant imagine how tiring that would be trying to move everything over so it can be online! but now that its done u can kick ur feet up a bit. its so hard to get back into the rush after a relaxing summer.. our systems cant seem to catch up no matter what we do.
at least with autumn comes new culinary creations with the use of new ingredients and flavors, cant wait til we get a taste of what u whip up!
Wow, I never had a seafood pasta with eggplant…this is totally new to me
the dish looks amazing…as for Summer…we barely had any here 
That seafood linguine has captured my attention!! One of my favorites, you are the best for posting the recipe!! I will have to make this for the hubby one night soon!
Summer is long gone here…:-(
Your seafood linguine is loaded with flavours and goodness! A sensational treat to say farewell to Summer.
Eggplant cutlets – I love it! The shrimp and pasta looks divine. I just did a goodbye to summer post too. With one of your favorites… zucchini blossoms
Wow the seafood linguine looks DELICIOUS! Anton would love it, too. Best wishes to both of you on a new school year, I hope it goes well. My kids are thrilled to be back at school, I am glad to say.
so sad. a single tear is working its way down my cheek. yep, i'll miss summer, but i'm looking forward to apple and pumpkin and cinnamon EVERYTHING!
Chef Dennis…Wow…you call that simple pasta…omg with those scallops and shrimps ! Delicious !!! I will want to try this out for sure..Thanks for the recipe
It's only breakfast, and you have me dreaming about dinner! I love how you added the eggplant cutlet! Yes, please can we have a do over! Hope you are well.
-Gina-
BEE-AYY-YUTIFUL
What a great easy recipe! looks fantastic of course.
What a wonderful dinner! I'm sure your girls will be happy to see you, but I'm sorry to have seen my Ryan head off to high school…
seriously, can we have a do over? I had this fabulous things of things I wanted to do and acomplished this summer and my list is far from being acheived.
Did you say simple pasta dish??? I love this!
I got caught reading this post at work! My co-worker started asking me if i was going to make this for him! Ha, it really does look delicious though and I love that you added the eggplant to the dish.
I love lobster cooked the simplest of ways, you guys can keep the eggplant to yourselves and pass the rest
I love lobster cooked the simplest of ways, you guys can keep the eggplant to yourselves and pass the rest
you got me salivating while seeing this!
This looks delicious and is a beautiful presentation.
looks really tasty, yuuuuuuum! Congratulations on top 9!