Gamberetti Pasta Luce, or a Light Shrimp Pasta

So since Hubby came back last weekend, I decided I wanted to make him a nice home cooked meal, something a little fancy but nothing to difficult. He has also had nothing but restaurant food for three weeks so I figured, something lighter would be better.

This is so light, refreshing, and pretty healthy if you discount the pasta. But again everything in moderation!

Gamberetti Pasta Luce
- about 1 lb. of Shrimp ( we didn't have a pound so I got some imitation crab to subsitute, trust me the shrimp is better, and the crab did a bad job trying to be a crab let alone a shrimp.)

- capellini pasta
-Grape tomatoes
-1 lemon
- garlic
-spinach
-Fresh herbs,such as basil, rosemary or thyme
- Red Pepper flakes

Ok first step, get your pasta started. Set it on low and then as that is going prep your seafood. Layout all your shrimp or mixture that you deviate from and sprinkle the Red Pepper, zest half a lemon over it (safe the other half for later), some salt and pepper. Now rule of thumb with red pepper, always respect the great power of the red pepper flakes. Don't get me wrong, I love spicy food! I am pretty sure my tongue and stomach are going to start retaliating when I hit Thirty, but hopefully my Sicilian lineage with save me! But back to the Pepper Flakes, even though I love spicy food, in this dish, too much can ruin the simple taste. This dish is all about simplicity and everything melds so well.

 

Next step is to to satuee some garlic for about thirty seconds, or as Hubby said "smells garlic-tastic!". As soon as it smells wonderful then add the quartered tomatoes into the pan. Once the tomatoes are in, zest the other half of the lemon over the tomatoes. 

Next slice up or shred some fresh spinach and saute for a couple of minutes.

When the tomatoes and the spinach a close to done, place all your shrimp, or your mixture if you are a rebel like me. I like to lay all my stuff out flat and cook for about 1 minute and half on one side and the flip over. Shrimp does not take long to make. Then just mix all around.

He is such a "great" helper

 I forgot about the fresh basil so I just tore some up and threw it in there. Worked out great!

Once your stuff is done, add your pasta to the pan. Note: Reserve about 1/2 of cup of pasta water. Once your pasta is in the pan add a little olive oil and mix in with the mixture. If it is a little stiff, add little by little the pasta water, you should not need that much.

Yummmm....

Add a little fresh grated cheese over the top and enjoy!

I have more recipes up my sleeves and a craft project I am working on, so until then, Live, Laugh, Love!!

I love the Italian Flag and Food

So if you haven't read or noticed that I am Italian. I love being Italian and I love everything about my heritage. I especially love cooking it! So sometimes I subconciously catch myself sticking the colors of the Italian Flag in my meal, don't judge, you would do if your heritage was awesome to! :P

Viva Italia!

I am technically from a small town in Sicily!

So last night I wanted to whip up something quick, easy, and healthy and it's all in my repertoire! So let's get started.

Ingredients needed:
- Chicken Breast, 2-3 (more if you are making it for a huge crowd)
- Mushrooms
- Fresh Spinach!
- Grape Tomatos
- Seasonings
- Garlic
- Olive Oil

That's it, half the stuff you probably already have. Hubby and I just love fresh ingredients in our meals so I tend to go shopping often for our fresh stuff. Ok first step, slice your chicken into bite size pieces and season with all that you like. I like to stick to my holy trinity: Garlic, Basil, and Oregano. (Tip: It's so much cheaper to grow your own herbs and dry them yourselves. We need to dry soon so I will make sure to show you how, so simple!)

My sliced chicken with garlic, and awaiting everything else. Can you tell I love Garlic?

 So let your chicken saute a little bit. As it is cooking in the olive oil over medium heat, start slicing your mushrooms. Then just chunk them in. Again bite size is optimal but if you get smaller mushrooms your can just halve them and saute them that way. Again, make it your own! It's all about making it your own in cooking!

I love mushrooms, love,love, love

 Then take a hand full and a half, that's right hand full and a half. Figure it out, there is not exact measurements in my home. I like to just slice it here and there because they can get long and stringy in the pan.  Once the mushrooms are soft, throw in the spinach and saute.

Spinach is so healthy and good for you!

 Then half your grape tomatoes and saute together. Then you are done! Add Olive Oil as needed and I do recommend adding just half a cap full of lemon juice to help with the bite of the spinach, but it still tastes great with out it to!

Fin!

So when I first made this I made some risotto to go with it, yummmm. But Today I just had this and some green peas. Yummy, delicious, and healthy for you! Don't be afraid to shred some Romano or Parmesan over it. One pan, one cutting board, and one knife. Simple and quick clean up!

I am working on some baking recipes so keep an eye out soon! Until then, Live, Laugh, Love!