Lemony garlicky shrimp pasta primavera: serves four.
- 3 cups defrosted, deveined shrimp(Shells reserved)
- 3 large shallots chopped
- 2 cups tortellini pasta
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 yellow squash chopped
- I carrot julienned
- 2 lemons juiced
- 1 cup asparagus tips
- 1 cup sweet peas
- 3/4 cup milk
- 3/4 cup reserved pasta water
- 8 ounces smoked pork jowl skinned and sliced
- 8 tablespoons Parmesan
- 4 tablespoons cream cheese
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- Stalks of Italian herbs
- Garlic powder to taste
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Lemon zest to taste
- Fresh basil optional
Building flavor from the beginning is very important when making a waist friendly version of a dish. So start out by simmering shrimp shells, garlic and a trio of Italian herb stalks in the pasta water. Remove the fore said ingredients and mash the garlic. Pour the shrimp into a bowl with a couple teaspoons of lemon juice, a couple dashes of garlic powder, salt, black pepper and Italian seasoning. Let it marinate.
Cook the pasta to al dente slowly to absorb the broth. Drain the pasta and reserve 1/2 a cup of the liquid to make the sauce.
Meanwhile, steam the chopped and seasoned vegetables in the microwave (add a little bit of olive oil and butter to the veggies whilst steaming for flavor oomph). Add olive oil to a heated pan and crisp the sliced pork jowls. Remove the jowls and use the renderings to sauté shallots with some salt and black pepper till softened.
Add shrimp and parcook; the shrimp should be slightly pink. Remove the shrimp and pour in the reserved liquid and milk. Season with dried Italian herbs, black pepper and salt. Add in the pasta, cooked vegetables, the mashed garlic, butter and cream cheese. Cook till the pasta absorbs some of the sauce and then add in the shrimp. Finish the dish with lemon zest, lemon juice and Parmesan. Give it a good stir and garnish with basil if using. Truly happy eating I tell you.
Nutrition alert!!! Though it contains a high level of cholesterol, shrimp is still low in fat and the fat it does have, contains essential omega-3 and omega-6 which are important to the health of your brain and immune system. It is a high source of protein; a whopping 24 grams per serving and it contains trace minerals that helps in the maintenance of healthy bones and teeth.
#lowfat #shrimp #vegetables #pasta #primavera #creamy #comfortfood #lemons #vitaminc #highprotein
