Shrimp Scampi with Linguini

This dish is a very quick fix, when you want something delicious, yet simple. Add some toasty garlic bread and you are good to go.

1 (16-ounce) package linquini noodles, uncooked

5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

5 tablespoons butter

2 shallots, finely diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup dry white wine

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped

Prepare pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil and 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shallots and garlic to the pan; cook and stir until the shallots are translucent, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Season shrimp with salt and pepper; add to the skillet. Cook until the shrimp turn pink, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.

Add the wine and lemon juice to the pan and bring to a boil. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. When the butter has melted return the shrimp to the pan. Remove from heat and add the parsley and cooked pasta. Toss to coat the pasta and drizzle with a bit more olive oil. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings

The Original Get 'Em Girl

Today, we had an interview on 98.7 Kiss FM. It was a pretty good interview, but what really made it hot was my mother called in. Now, for the life of me, I never figured out how she is always able to get through when she calls into the radio stations, but today I'm glad she did!

She is always so supportive and I just love her for it! We all appreciated that call.

Jeniece

Joan's Restaurant Review - Oceana Grill, New Orleans, LA

Take your food life to the next level with power lunches, weekend brunches and mid-week romantic dinners for two with Joan’s restaurant reviews. Restaurant of the Week:

Oceana Grill
739 Rue Conti
(corner of Bourbon & Conti)
504.525.6002

Hours of Operation: Monday – Sunday
11am – til’ late

Forms of Payment: Cash, credit and debit cards

Located just steps from Bourbon St. this classic New Orleans restaurant is bursting with lots of character and hospitality. Wonderful food and great décor makes for a memorable experience in the French Quarter. Choose to sit in one of the two dinning areas – main dinning room or on the balcony overlooking the corner of Conti & Bourbon St.

The menu is filled with the best Cajun and Creole dishes in the NO, complete with everything from Louisiana Crabmeat Cakes to Po-Boys and Vegetarian dishes. The restaurant has an extensive variety of beverages including a few house specials.

I highly recommend the Louisiana Crabmeat Cakes topped w/ a crawfish cream sauce as an appetizer and the Taste of New Orleans as an entrée. Three of us shared this one dish and it was more than enough – Creole jambalaya, crawfish etouffeé, red beans and rice with smoked sausage. Ok, you will be fighting over the smoked sausage; it is full of flavor and simply delicious so save yourself the trouble and just order an extra side of sausage!

When you’re done head around the corner to Daiquiris for a frozen Cajun Storm – FABULOUS!

NOLA Recap...2007 Essence Festival

Essence invited us down as featured authors for the 2007 Essence Music Festival presented by Coca Cola. We had a ball! Our days were spent at the Essence Author's Pavillion and the Urban Cup Cafe signing books. Our evenings were spent tasting great cuisine in the French Quarters and our nights were spent watching excellent performances by Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Lionel Richie, Frankie Beverly & Maze, Kelly Rowland, Chris Brown and Steve Harvey.

My three top highlights for the 2007 Essence Festival were opening the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper on July 5th and seeing a feature articles on us. Watching our street team (Tamika, Fartisha, Minah) march into the Ernest Morial Convention Center with their Get 'Em Girl T-Shirts and bring tons of people to our pavillion to purchase a book. Lastly, meeting Mrs. Tina Knowles and giving her a book for Beyonce. What made this meeting even more special is that she later had her assistant come by and buy more books for Kelly, Solange and other family members.

We would like to give a special thanks to Tamika, Fartisha and Minah for being our street team. These ladies are our hairstylist and former co-worker and they came to New Orleans to help support us. It is not to often that you find people who genually want to see you do well and ask for nothing in return. Thanks to the Get 'Em Girl Dream Team- Brandi, Tasha, Tamir, Krista, and Denada for making sure we were prepared for this trip and providing us with proper media coverage. CL thanks for the Zune support. Thanks to Essence, Miasha & Rich, Omar Tyree, Big Boom & Lauren, Mr. Gil Robertson IV, Steve Perry, Troy Marshall, Common, Tina Knowles, Hill Harper, Naleighna Kai, Vera & the staff of the Community Bookstore in New Orleans, Michelle, Levetta Futrell and everyone else who made the Essence Festival a pleasurable experience.

Shakara