"Zesty Shrimp Pasta" For "World Pasta Day" As We End The Month Of October

As October is coming to an end, for another year, I want to end the month with a pasta recipe. If you remember October is Pasta Month and today is “World Pasta Day.” One of my blogger friends Louise, from "Months of Edible Celebrations" is having a Pasta Party today! I am sure she won’t mind some extra guests coming to see the delicious dishes that she is presenting at her Pasta Party. Don’t get too stuffed, when you return to me, I also have that mouth watering pasta recipe I promised, called “Zesty Shrimp Pasta”. 

I have another blogger friend, Catherine, from "Living The Gourmet" that I need to say a big “Thank you”! She had a give away on one of her posts, and I won the give away! A beautiful book called, “Bless This Food”. Sharing food is the most universal cultural experience connecting people to one another. Expressing thanks for food was the world's first act of worship and is common to every known society. Saying grace before meals is a wonderful family tradition to observe as it acknowledges bounty and our daily food as gifts from the divine. Bless This Food gathers 160 timeless mealtime blessings. This book will come in handy for my family, as the holidays are approaching. 

I know you are waiting for that recipe I promised, but I just wanted to touch on a topic that I thought may be a very important part of your kitchen, and that would be your pantry or the Italian pantry! A well-stocked pantry makes whipping up a delicious well-balanced Italian meal a snap. Countless dishes can be made from ingredients on hand, the options are limitless. Most major grocery stores carry many items imported from Italy; other sources for those main ingredients would be Italian specialty stores in your area. If your grocery store does not carry your item, you can ask a manager if they might be able to order your ingredient for you. By stocking your kitchens with a few basic ingredients, you will be ready to prepare many Italian recipes. Premium ingredients are crucial to Italian cooking. The better your tomatoes, olive oils, and cheeses are the better your dishes will be. The Italian table is the heart of the family, a celebration that comes from making and eating a delicious meal. If you use the freshest ingredients and what is in season, you will find that you can create the most flavorful dishes. 

In my family as in most Italian kitchens, you will find a large amount if not all of the following items in the pantry. These ingredients are essential to creating a traditional Italian meal. Check, if your pantry is stocked with any of these items, if not it is time to go shopping….

Cans of tomatoes-whole & crushed, tomato paste, beans-dried or canned, olives, mushrooms, and anchovies. Flour, quick rise yeast, rice-Arborio, sea salt, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Canola oil, cornmeal, breadcrumbs, broths/stocks, sun dried tomatoes, nuts, figs, granulated and confectioner’s sugar.

Jars of dried Italian spices, black pepper, red pepper, Vinegar-red, white and balsamic, red & white wine for cooking, (always buy a wine that you would drink) dried pastas, Capers, Espresso coffee, pure extract, raisins, and honey.

Refrigerator items would include; sausages & salamies, pepperoni, pancetta, Proscuitto, parmesan & mozzarella cheese, grated Pecorino Romano Cheese, eggplants, escarole, broccoli rabe, spinach, and Swiss chard.  

Fresh items should include; garlic, parsley, basil, mint leaves, onions, peppers,  Zucchini, tomatoes, lemons, breads, fruits of all kinds: pomegranates, oranges, etc. 

Remember there are so many additional pantry items that you can stock, the list is endless, but with this starter list you will be able to begin cooking the Italian way. All you have to do is add some of these ingredients, and you will be all set to prepare an authentic Italian meal that will impress your family. My recipe for this week is called “Zesty Shrimp Pasta” which is incredible. The combination of all of these Italian ingredients not only makes this dish very tasty, but the aromas fill your home with love. So try this delicious pasta recipe for your family, especially that your pantry is filled with these mouth watering ingredients. Happy Cooking! 

“Zesty Shrimp Pasta”

Ingredients:
1/2 lb. Linguine, uncooked 
3/4 cup prepared Good Seasons Zesty Italian Dressing Mix (divided) 
2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms 
1 large Onion, thinly sliced 
1 green pepper sliced
1 red pepper sliced
1 lb. uncooked cleaned large shrimp 
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley 
1/4 cup Grated Pecorino Romano cheese

Directions:
Cook pasta as directed on the package meanwhile, heat 1/2 cup dressing in a large skillet on medium heat. Stir in mushrooms, onions, red and green pepper, and cook 3 min or until onions are crisp-tender, stirring occasionally. Add the shrimp, and parsley, then stir. Cook 2 min or until shrimp is pink, and vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally. Now drain the pasta; return to pot. Add shrimp mixture and remaining dressing; toss lightly. Sprinkle with cheese. Total time 25 min Prep 10 minutes. Servings is for 6. 

Till Next Time…………….

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