Italian Style Garlic Shrimp, Or In Other Words YUMMMMM!

Please forgive me dear friends for missing Friday nights recipe. I would hang my head in shame however, I had an amazing date night with Kevin so I can't feel bad. Sometimes a girl just has to have fun. I will tell you that I had some fantastic scallops with a bacon onion sauce that I will figure out the recipe for if it kills me! For those of you that follow my other blog, Bobbi's Bitchin' Kitchen, it will be there soon I promise.


But back to the reason we are here. I picked up last night where we left off and made recipe #147 Italian Style Garlic Shrimp with Cherry Tomatoes and Thin Spaghetti. I have to admit I was a bit nervous. I have really never cooked shrimp before. I have done all kinds of fish, clams, muscles, scallops, but for whatever reason I have never cooked shrimp. I knew that if you overcook it they are rubbery and awful, so I just was a bit worried. But this is a recipe that, if you follow the directions, you can't mess it up. It was great! My nerves gave way to a very hungry tummy as I was cooking.


I had a houseful last night. Kevin, Jessi, Seth, and Melissa were all here for dinner. Everyone gave this recipe their seal of approval, even Jessi, my pickiest eater. My Dad just doesn't like seafood so he was out of this one. All of us, except Jessi of course, thought the addition of some red pepper flakes would be fantastic in this. But as it stands it is still a terrific meal. You know we just like things a bit hot in this house.


I actually followed the recipe very closely, believe it or not. Like I said I was nervous so no going crazy for me this time. The only things I did were, used two pounds of shrimp instead of one. Which if you do make sure and double the lemon zest and juice. I also used grape tomatoes instead of cherry tomatoes because I think they are sweeter. I think I have told you that I am not the biggest fan of tomatoes, at least raw tomatoes, but grape tomatoes are great.


So in my wrap up here I will say MAKE THIS RECIPE!! This was a master recipe too and the variations sound just as yummy, Spanish Style Garlic Shrimp, and Greek Style Garlic Shrimp......stay tuned for those, I know I am excited!


Oh, and I know that you are not supposed to use cheese with seafood, but I sprinkled some Parmesan cheese on mine and it was fabulous!

Italian Style Garlic Shrimp with Cherry Tomatoes and Thin Spaghetti

Ingredients

• 1 pound thin spaghetti
• 1 pound small shrimp, deveined and peeled, tails removed
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest plus the juice of 1/4 lemon
• 1/4 cup EVOO (4 times around the pan)
• salt
• 6 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• 4 scallions
• 1/4 cup white vermouth or 1/3 cup dry white wine (eyeball it)
• 2 handfuls flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 20 fresh basil leaves, torn or shredded
• course black pepper

Directions
Heat a large pot of water for the pasta, when the water boils, salt it and cook the pasta al dente.


Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Season the shrimp with the lemon zest, lemon juice, and a little salt. Add the EVOO to the the hot pan and then the shrimp. Cook for a minute, then add the garlic, tomatoes, and scallions and toss, cooking for another minute or two until the shrimp are firm and pink. Add the white vermouth and the herbs. Turn off the heat. Drain the pasta well and add to the sauce. Toss and combine the sauce with the pasta and season with salt and black pepper.


Serves 4 (very very hungry people)