Shrimp Scampi-ish

I spent a lot of time in the kitchen yesterday. I made bread dough and a batch of Salty Caramel Ice Cream, the best one yet I think. After forcing myself to go to the grocery store I came home hungry with a bee in my bonnet to make homemade pasta. It didn't work out so well. I used a Jamie Oliver recipe but didn't let it rest long enough and tried hand rolling (no pasta machine). I knew it was too thick but cooked it anyways and then proceeded to cook some penne to go with my delicious Shrimp that I had cooked in the mean time.









So on to the shrimp, the good part.
I was inspired by a customer at work who mentioned a Shrimp/pasta/lemon combo that sounded great plus a picture for a recipe in my Mad Hungry cookbook. I loosely followed the recipe.  Here is what I did.

5 Cloves Garlic chopped
Juice of 1/2 of a large lemon
1 Tablespoon of lemon zest
2-3 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
Shrimp, I used maybe 3/4 lb and could have used more but that's all I had on hand
1/2 chopped flat leaf parsley
Lots of fresh grated parmesan
Salt and Pepper to taste
Crushed red pepper to taste

Saute about 5 chopped cloves of garlic in olive oil on low until aromatic.  Don't let the garlic burn.  You can add some black pepper and crushed red pepper at this point.  Add the shrimp in one layer and flip when they are pink on the bottom.  When they are pink throughout turn the heat down and add the lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper to taste and the parsley.  Add cooked pasta with a little pasta water and stir it around good then take off the heat and serve with parmesan on top.

This is just a simple recipe that would be easy to improvise on.  I think adding some steamed broccoli or broccolini to the dish would be spectacular.  I don't know if this is what Shrimp Scampi really is or not, I've never had that before.  All I know is this dish is a new favorite and I will be making it on a regular basis.

I'm so pleased that we are planning our meals, and have only eaten out once or twice so far this year.  In the long run it really saves money, and stress, and is so much healthier.  I hope to keep this habit up throughout the year.

This morning I'm cooking Navy beans in the crockpot for soup and baking a loaf of bread to go with it for tonight.  Better go the timer just went off to put the bread in the oven....