Showing posts with label Pastas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pastas. Show all posts

Roma Shrimp Alfredo




The wholesale club we belong to has great prices on seafood so I cook shrimp at least once a month. This dish was inspired by a California style pizza a local restaurant has listed on their menu. The tangy flavor of the artichokes, bitterness of the asparagus and sweetness of the sundried tomatoes blend nicely with the Alfredo sauce.  I've also made this dish with an olive oil and garlic sauce which was also divine.

Ingredients
3 cups dry Penne Pasta
Salt
1/2 cup marinated sun dried tomatoes in flavored oil -- California Sun Dry in Herb Oil is my favorite.
7 oz. can of marinated petite artichoke hearts
12 asparagus spears
2 cloves of garlic
3 dozen raw jumbo shrimp shelled and deveined with the tails removed.
1 container of your favorite Alfredo sauce -- Buitoni Light Alfredo Sauce is my favorite.

Directions
  • Fill a 2 quart sauce pan with water, add a dash of salt and bring to boil.
  • When water is boiling add Penne. Cook until al dente and drain.
  • Slice asparagus into bite size pieces and sun dried tomatoes into small strips.
  • Quarter artichoke hearts.
  • Crush garlic into a large sautee pan and add 1 tablespoon of flavored oil from the sun dried tomatoes.
  • Put shrimp in pan with garlic and oil. When shrimp is halfway cooked add vegetables and cook until shrimp is an opaque pink and the asparagus slightly tender.
  • Toss Penne with Alfredo sauce and top with shrimp and vegetables.

Servings
Serves 6 - 8

A Broken Oven Tip
The vegetable base from this dish makes a great pasta salad.  Just add some Italian seasonings, grated Parmesan cheese, toss in a light olive oil and serve chilled.

Party Pasta Salad



Asparagus has been my veggie of choice this year.  I've been cooking with it a lot and trying to find new ways of preparing it other than steamed. During the final moments of preparation for Sophia's family birthday party I decided there needed to be pasta salad on the menu.  I literally looked in the fridge took out what I thought would make a good pasta salad and tossed it in a bowl.  Guess what? It was awesome! I made enough feed double the number of guests in attendance, but it wasn't a problem because Lila had something good to eat the following week for lunch.

Ingredients
1 lb. dry penne pasta
1 bunch Asparagus
1 cup marinaded sun dried tomatoes - California Sun-Dry Tomatoes in Herbs is my favorite
14 oz. can of artichoke hearts
1 bunch fresh basil
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 cup Newman's Own Olive Oil and Vinegar Dressing
Salt & pepper to taste.

Directions
  • Cook penne pasta according to the package directions and drain.
  • Cut asparagus into bit size pieces.
  • Slice sun dried tomatoes.
  • Quarter artichoke hearts
  • Chop basil.
  • Combine pasta, asparagus, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes and basil in a large bowl and toss with the salad dressing.
  • Toss with grated parmesan before serving.
  • Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the flavors to marry.
Servings
Serves 10 to 15 as a side dish

A Broken Oven Tip
Change the recipe up a bit by adding grilled chicken and substitute the parm for fresh mozzerella cheese. Swapping out the dressing for a flavorful pesto is good too.