We love pasta. Whole wheat, whole grain, white fiber, quinoa -- boiled, sauteed, broiled or baked -- everything about them make us drool. Friday nights are our official "Pasta Night" since long and to tout my own horn I have been heralded as the "Pasta Queen" of the Das household. I have experimented with so many variations of pasta that it amazes me. Sharing one of the most popular recipes of all time -- *drum roll* - the shrimp scampi. Serve this buttery, garlic goodness over a plate of angel hair pasta and watch heaven roll before your eyes.
This recipe calls for a cup of white wine -- if you are wary, feel free to substitute it with water. However, things take a new dimension once you add wine. Wine intensifies the flavors and takes it up a notch.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1/2 box of angel hair pasta
- 15 - 20 Raw Shrimp, peeled and de-veined
- 5 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of white wine (Avoid extra sweet ones; my favorite are Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc)
- 1 Tbsp of concentrated lemon juice or the juice of one fresh lemon
- 2 Tbsp of unsalted butter (One for sauteing shrimp)
- 2 Tbsp of Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- Parsley
Process
1. Boil pasta as per package instruction.
2. Allow 1 Tbsp of oil and 1 Tbsp of butter to heat in a non stick pan on high heat. Add the shrimp and let it saute - about a minute on each side. Remove from the pan.
3. Add 1 Tbsp of oil and let it heat. Add garlic on medium heat until it turns fragrant and lightly golden.
4. Add the white wine and let it boil. It will reduce and thicken, takes about 3-4 minutes.
5. Reduce the heat to medium and add the lemon juice and butter and parsley.
6. After the butter emulsifies and the sauce thickens, add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper.
7. Stir everything, add pasta to the mix and serve.
TIPS:
Many recipes suggest adding the shrimp to the wine and letting it boil. However, I feel that the shrimp gets overcooked and hard in the process. I prefer sauteing the shrimp first (so it's cooked), thickening the sauce and then adding the shrimp to the mix.
Comments? Suggestions? Feedback? Please mention in the comment box below.
