2 ingredient white chocolate buttercream frosting

1 lb (2 cups) butter
2 cups of white chocolate chips

1. In a medium saucepan combine butter and white chocolate chips.
2. Melt together over low heat, stirring. The butter and white chocolate will separate.
3. When everything is melted remove from heat and allow to sit for 15 minutes or so. Place saucepan in fridge and refrigerate until the mixture becomes solid, approx 3 hours. I actually let mine sit overnight.
4. When you're ready to prepare the frosting, remove from fridge and let it sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes or so, to take the chill off.
5. Place entire mass into bowl of stand mixer and beat for 2-3 minutes until frosting becomes light and fluffy.
6. Pipe or frost cupcakes or cake.

Notes If made ahead, you can store at room temperature for up to a day. If stored for longer in fridge, you will need to whip the frosting again, as it will get solid.

Crockpot Baby Back Ribs

3 lbs baby back ribs, trimmed
season to taste (salt and pepper at least)
1/2 cup of water
1/2 onion sliced
1 clove garlic minced
1 (18 oz) bottle of barbecue sauce

Season ribs with salt and pepper. Pour water into slow cooker. Layer the ribs into the slow cooker. Top the ribs with onion and garlic. Cook on High for 4 hours (or Low for 8 hours). Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Transfer ribs to a baking sheet. Discard onion and garlic. Coat ribs with barbeque sauce.Bake in preheated oven until the sauce caramelizes and sticks to the meat, 10 to 15 minutes.

Shrimp pasta with white wine cream sauce

1 pound cooked medium shrimp (70-110 per pound), defrosted (See Recipe Note)
3/4 cup heavy cream
3 quarts water
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 pound linguine or other long pasta
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium shallots, chopped (optional)
1 large clove garlic, minced (or use jarred)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 cup Chardonnay or other dry white wine
2 medium (about 1/2-pound) Roma or San Marzano tomatoes, sliced lengthwise through the stem (optional)
2 TB grated parmesan cheese Basil leaves to garnish (optional)

Remove the shrimp and heavy cream from the refrigerator and place on the counter to allow them to come to room temperature while you prepare the rest of the recipe.

Bring the water to a boil in a large (5- to 6-quart) pasta pot over high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, add the sea salt, stir to dissolve, then add the pasta. Bring back up to a rolling boil, lower heat to medium-high, and let cook until al dente, about 7 minutes or according to package instructions.

Ladle a cup of pasta water into a measuring cup and set aside, then drain the pasta into a colander.

While the pasta is boiling, prepare the sauce. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the shallots, garlic, and sea salt to the skillet, and sauté until soft and translucent, but not browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the wine to the skillet and stir.

Using a box grater or flat grater, grate the tomatoes, flesh side against the grater, directly into the skillet. The tomato flesh will be grated, but the skins will not. Discard the skins.

Stir the tomatoes into the skillet sauce and bring up to a simmer. Cook until the sauce has thickened slightly and no raw alcohol aroma remains, about 5 minutes. Add the drained pasta, shrimp, and cream to the skillet, and toss to combine. If the sauce is too dry, add a splash of pasta water.

Use a pasta server or tongs to arrange the pasta in individual servings, twirling it into a spiral as you nestle it onto the center of each plate. Garnish with basil and serve immediately.

Recipe Note

• Defrosting Shrimp: If you think ahead, transfer the shrimp from the freezer to the fridge the night before you make this recipe so they have time to thaw. Otherwise, empty the shrimp into a bowl and place it under cool, running water to thaw; the shrimp will take 7 to 15 minutes to thaw.
• Raw Shrimp: If you are using raw shrimp, add them to the skillet before you add the pasta and cream. Cover the skillet and let them cook until pink around the edges, with just a touch of translucence in the center, 2 to 5 minutes depending on their size.