Cooking with Girl ~ Garlic Bread and Shrimp Scampi

I'm very much an "I will do it myself" type of mom.  Don't get me wrong, the kids have chores, but sometimes it is just easier and faster to do it myself, plus when it comes to cooking I don't really like sharing my kitchen.  Call me set in my ways.  However I am trying very hard to change my ways just a little and since all the kids have shown an interest in cooking I have decided that a couple of nights a week I'm going to have a different child help out in the kitchen. (God, please help me.)  This will not only provide a much needed one on one time I need with each child it will also give them a skill for the 'real world' when that time comes. (It makes me sad to think about that time - them moving out.) PLUS - what type of mom would I be if I sent my kids out into the world without cooking skills?  

First up, Garlic Bread and Cheesy Garlic Bread! 

First Girl prepares Garlic Butter - 1 stick butter at room temperatures + 5 cloves of minced garlic.  Mix together spread evenly onto a loaf of French bread. 

To make cheesy Garlic Bread we like to add slices of fresh mozzarella as seen on the left hand side of picture.  Bake in the oven at 450 for about 7-10 minutes.  Watching to make sure it doesn't over cook

Next up Shrimp Scampi!
2 sticks butter (room temperature)
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
fresh ground pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon thyme
3 pounds large shrimp, shelled, deveined
10 leaves thinly sliced basil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. 

In a bowl mix butter, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice pepper & thyme. 

Place shrimp in a large dish, dot with butter mixture - make funny faces:

Sprinkle with fresh cut basil.  Place in oven and cook for about 10 minutes (mixing once) until shrimp are pink and butter is bubbling. 

We like serving on top of Angel Hair pasta.