Friday, May 7, 2010

Last Minute Inspiration

Sometimes, I get really wrapped up in what I'm doing like, say, laundry or cleaning or, I don't know, reading a blog maybe... And then I look at the time and I realize, it's time to start supper, like now! And most days, I menu plan, but what if I just don't feel like eating what I have on the menu for that day? That always happens on the days I'm right at the last minute to make supper. So I look in the freezer and the pantry, and the refrigerator and then back to the pantry and then, time flies you know, I have to find something to make, and then, I have a flash.

Shrimp Pizza

Let's say I take those thin burger buns and split them in half, that could make a great mini-pizza... And those shrimp in the freezer, I could thaw them out in some chicken broth and sauté them in a little butter, garlic, pepper flakes and that would make a great topping... A creamy bechamel for the sauce, grated mozz on top, a brief trip in the oven, garnish with green onions and, bingo! A quick and easy supper. It's on days like those that I realize the importance of a well stocked kitchen. I love last minute inspiration.

Shrimp Pizza, Top

Mini Shrimp Pizzas

The amount of ingredients you need to make the pizzas will depend on how many people you want to serve.


shrimp, thawed if frozen

1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced

red pepper flakes, to taste

olive oil


Bechamel sauce:

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp flour

1 cup of milk

salt and pepper, to taste


thin burger buns ( like these)

grated mozzarella cheese
green onions, chopped for garnish


First, make the bechamel sauce. Melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Add the milk and whisk until it boils. Let simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Salt and pepper to taste and set aside.


In a skillet, heat some olive oil and add the garlic. Sprinkle in some red pepper flakes, to taste, and cook for about 1 minute. Add the shrimp and cook until they are pink and beautiful. Set aside.


If you have a pizza stone, now is the time to put it in your oven and preheat it to about 500F. If you don't have a pizza stone, preheat your oven to 450F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.


Split the hamburger buns and spread some of the bechamel on the inside of the buns. Place some shrimp on top of that, and sprinkle with the mozzarella. Place the pizzas on the pizza stone (or the baking sheet) and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Garnish with green onions and serve with a salad (I'm in love with arugula these days).
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16 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Those look really good! A wonderful combination!

Cheers,

Rosa

Peter M said...

Now wouldn't these be a welcome surprise as a start to a dinner party!

Lucie said...

Love this! Last-minute pizzas on english muffins are one of my favorites--I usually slather pesto, mozzarella and peppers. Your recipe is really tempting!

grace said...

how delightful. i'll tell ya, just seeing the word 'bechamel' gets my stomach agrowlin'. :)

Unknown said...

Oh these are delightful. Hmm this is you at your last minute best? I feel ashamed now of my own lame last minute attempts. I bow down:-)

Marie said...

How cute are these! At first glance, I thought they were mini pitas, but I love the idea of using up hamburger buns this way. Great idea!

sophia said...

THIS is a last minute inspiration? Wow, it's a masterpiece! It almost looks so gourmet, who knew it can be whipped up quick like that?

Sippity Sup said...

I work the same way! Back and forth, back and forth... then it hits you! GREG

Mary Bergfeld said...

You are a clever gal :-). This looks really good. This is my first visit to your blog. I found you by chance and had planned only to say hello. I was lured by your prior posts and stayed much longer than I had intended. I really like what you are doing here. I'll be back as often as I can. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Blessings...Mary

Plain Chicken said...

Great idea! Why didn't I think of this?! I will be making these for dinner when my husband is out of town.

Manggy said...

Maybe a bruschetta? :) "Inspiration" is the right word for this, cos this is inspired!

Tanya said...

This looks so delicious and easy to make! Love it.

Cooking Art said...

I like this! I am getting hungry when I am looking at these photos :)

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Great use of what's on hand! The key to such inspiration, though, is to keep yummy things on hand. What can you make with leftover spaghetti noodles, wrinkly apples, and 1/2 a ball of leftover mozarella?

RecipeGirl said...

Kudos to you... I'm never very creative like this. At the market each and every day spending money on new ingredients for dinner! I need to be more like you!

Mary Bergfeld said...
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