weeknight gourmet

Category : Shellfish

Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp

Here is a quick and easy pasta dish from the Barefoot Contessa.  I just loved the lemon flavor with the roasted shrimp!

I did make a few changes to the recipe though.  Instead of angel hair, I used Trader Joe’s Lemon Pepper Pappardelle which added more flavor to the dish.  I added some minced garlic and red pepper flakes to the shrimp before roasting.  Lastly, I know this is a major faux pas in Italian cooking but I mixed in some grated parmesan to the pasta before adding the shrimp.

I’ve never gone wrong with the Barefoot Contessa!  This probably isn’t my all-time favorite Ina Garten recipe but it is solid and great for a weeknight dinner!

Lemon Pasta with Roasted Shrimp
Barefoot Contessa

  • 2 pounds (17 to 21 count) shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • Good olive oil
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 pound angel hair pasta
  • 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 lemons, zested and juiced

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Place the shrimp on a sheet pan with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss well, spread them in 1 layer, and roast for 6 to 8 minutes, just until they’re pink and cooked through.

Meanwhile, drizzle some olive oil in a large pot of boiling salted water, add the angel hair, and cook al dente, about 3 minutes. Drain the pasta, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Quickly toss the angel hair with the melted butter, 1/4 cup olive oil, the lemon zest, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon pepper and about 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid. Add the shrimp and serve hot.

Mussels in Saffron and White Wine Broth

Keeping with the French bistro theme, I made mussels several weeks ago.  White wine, garlic and mussels….mmm…nothing is more delicious!  I decided to try this recipe because I was intrigued by the addition of saffron and a touch of half and half to a more traditional white wine base.  It was a delicious combo — definitely worthy of some crusty bread for dipping into the broth!

Below are some tips on how to prepare mussels…

  • Mussels must be thoroughly cleaned and rinsed several times before cooking.
  • Wild mussels will need to be scrubbed with a stiff brush to remove any barnacles, sand or grit and their beard must also be removed. This can be done by giving the beard a forceful tug with your fingers and pulling it away or by cutting it off with a small and sharp knife.
  • Rinse the wild mussels several times but do not let them sit in water, as freshwater will kill them.
  • Farmed mussels will have already been prepared for cooking and it will suffice to just give them a quick rinse under a running tap of cold water.

Mussels are super quick and easy to make and are always a crowd pleaser!

Mussels in Saffron & White Wine Broth
The Culinary Institute of America

  • 2 teaspoons butter
  • 3 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 cup dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons half and half
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons saffron threads
  • 1 cup clam juice
  • 4 scallions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tomatoes, seeded, and chopped
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 8 pounds mussels, scrubbed and debearded
  • 2 1/2 tablespoons chives, chopped

Melt the butter in a large pot, then add the garlic. Sauté until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the wine, half and half, and saffron; simmer for 5 minutes. Add the clam juice, scallions, tomato, and lemon juice, scallions, tomato, and lemon juice; simmer for 5 minutes.

Add the mussels, cover, and stream until they are open, about 5-7 minutes. Shake the pot, holding down the lid with a kitchen towel, to redistribute the mussels. Discard any mussels that do not open. Divide the mussels into eight bowls; distribute the broth equally among the bowls, and top each with fresh chives.