Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Food for Thought--Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta

Now that all our gardens are bursting with fresh tomatoes and basil (that's about all I plant) I'll be looking around for new ways to use them. My absolutely favorite way to enjoy tomatoes and basil is a basic Caprese Salad which is simply fresh mozzarella, basil tomatoes, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I could literally eat that three times a day and have. In the hotels in Italy that feature buffet breakfasts there's always fresh mozzarella & tomatoes available, and I seriously had them for breakfast several times when I was there.

Today's recipe is simple but a bit elegant. It smells wonderful while cooking and keeps the heat in the kitchen down to a minimum. It also goes together in less than 30 minutes.


Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta

2 tsp olive oil
Cooking spray
2 garlic cloves, minced
1# medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cups chopped plum tomato or whatever you have growing
1/4 cup thinly sliced fresh basil
1/3 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
2 tbls capers, drained (optional, I don't always use them)
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper or to your taste
4 cups hot cooked angel hair pasta (about 8 oz. uncooked)
1/4 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium-high heat. Add garlic; sauté 30 seconds. Add shrimp; sauté 1 minute. Add tomato and basil; reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes or until tomato is tender. Stir in kalamata olives, capers, and black pepper. Combine shrimp mixture and pasta in a large bowl; toss well. Top with cheese.

Serves 4 Enjoy!


11 comments:

Michele said...

This is my favorite recipe without the shrimp of course. Great minds think alike. Thanks for sharing it.

mommakin said...

I love a nice basic Caprese salad, too.

This recipe sounds good - and really simple - gotta love THAT in the summer!

A New England Girl said...

I can't wait to try this recipe! It sounds absolutely delicious. I might opt out of using the shrimp, but we shall see. I too love a nice Caprese salad... so simple, yet so satisfying. :)

Ginger said...

Gorgeous!, gorgeous, AND delicious!!!

Mmmmmm.:)

Shauna said...

This looks so good. Thanks for sharing. I love stumbling across new recipes!

Pamela said...

If you're interested, I have a wonderful tomato pie recipe. I know---it sounds gross, but it is a savory dish and everyon ewho eats it falls all overthemselves with praise for it.

The Blonde Duck said...

What is a caprese salad? It sounds delicious!

Thanks for the love on my SITS day! Hope you come back to the Pond!

Kathy Garmus said...

Ha, well YOUR garden maybe be bursting with tomatoes! ... In any case, this looks like a wonderful recipe and I look forward to giving it a try.

Sandy said...

Duck, Caprese Salad is tomatoes (usually Romas) diced, sliced, your choice; fresh mozzarella cheese, again sliced, cubed whatever you like, fresh basil snipped, all in good olive oil and balsamic vinegar to your taste. Easy easy and tastes like summer!

Brittany said...

Oh, yeah!

That sounds so yummy right now!
I'm starvin'!

Sultan said...

Wow, this makes me want to call a travel agent right now.

 

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