Friday, November 26, 2010

Creamy Garlic Pasta with Shrimp & Vegetables

It might be time for a break from heavy fall foods. For a delicious dish that's still comforting but won't leave you ready to hibernate, try this recipe for creamy garlic pasta with shrimp and vegetables. The flavorful sauce is not a fattening alfredo, but rather a Middle Eastern-inspired yogurt-garlic-lemon mixture that won't overpower the delicate shrimp.
Toss a garlicky, Middle Eastern-inspired yogurt sauce with pasta, shrimp, asparagus, peas and red bell pepper for a fresh, satisfying summer meal. Serve with: Slices of cucumber and tomato tossed with lemon juice and olive oil.


Ingredients

6 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti  12 ounces peeled and deveined raw shrimp, (see Note), cut into 1-inch pieces
1 bunch asparagus, trimmed and thinly sliced  1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh or frozen peas  3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt  1 1/2 cups nonfat or low-fat plain yogurt
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley  3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil  1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup toasted pine nuts,    

Yield: 4 Servings
DirectionsPrep: 30 min Total: 30 min (Quick)
.....Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add spaghetti and cook 2 minutes less than package directions. Add shrimp, asparagus, bell pepper and peas and cook until the pasta is tender and the shrimp are cooked, 2 to 4 minutes more. Drain well.
.....Mash garlic and salt in a large bowl until a paste forms. Whisk in yogurt, parsley, lemon juice, oil and pepper. Add the pasta mixture and toss to coat. Serve sprinkled with pine nuts (if using).
NotesIngredient Note: Both wild-caught and farm-raised shrimp can damage the surrounding ecosystems when not managed properly. Look for shrimp certified by an independent agency, such as Wild American Shrimp or Marine Stewardship Council. If you can’t find certified shrimp, choose wild-caught shrimp from North America—it’s more likely to be sustainably caught.
Tip: To toast pine nuts, place in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring, until fragrant, 2 to 4 minutes.

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