Monday, July 21, 2008

Sweet Summer Pasta with Shrimp, Asparagus, Corn, Tomatoes & Cream


Where do I begin?

Nine days at the beach in Orange County, Calif. for my annual beach vacation? A whirlwind trip to New York City and Los Angeles for media events to launch the soon-to-open resort I work for? Eating out and cooking the same old thing because it's fast and easy? Or, with me being too tired and hungry to take some decent pictures and share my cooking adventures with the world?

The latter is probably the most accurate.

But tonight I am back to cooking (and sharing the results)...so I picked up the best looking, fresh things at the store and made a sweet and comforting pasta...with leftovers for lunch all week.

Cheers to good cooking on a Monday night!

Sweet Summer Pasta:
(serves 4)


8 oz pasta - I used Mafalda (a skinny lasagna-like noodle)
1/3 lb fresh sweet shrimp (medium is best), deveined and peeled
1 lb asparagus, tips only, stems discarded or saved for another use
1 c sweet fresh corn kernels, scraped from the cob
2 cloves garlic (or to taste, I used 3), minced finely
2 fresh vine-ripened tomatoes, seeded and chopped roughly
Olive Oil as needed
Salt and Pepper
1/2 c heavy cream
Parmigiano Reggiano, freshly grated (if desired)

Directions:
Bring a large stock pot of water to boil, add ample salt (salty like ocean water - this matters in this recipe because a lot of the ingredients are naturally sweet and you need a balance). Add pasta, stir quickly to prevent sticking.

Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add approximately 1 tbs olive oil. Saute garlic briefly, then add asparagus. Splash with a bit of pasta cooking water to steam asparagus slightly. Add corn and saute briefly. Salt and pepper.

Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 c cooking liquid. Add shrimp and pasta to skillet. Add pasta cooking water and cream. Simmer on medium heat, tossing, just until sauce is thickened. Add tomatoes and toss briefly. Salt and pepper to taste - add freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired. Serve immediately with a crisp green salad and a chilled white wine.

37 comments:

Peabody said...

Yay! I am missing your recipes!

Anonymous said...

I think this recipe could help me score some points at home. My wife loves shrimp, loves pasta, loves cream sauces; I'll give it a try in the near future.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! Back with a bang... this looks wonderful!

Christy said...

And I though I had been busy! so jealous of all of your travels too.

Looks delicious, will have to try that one for sure.

Anonymous said...

I'm an Australian and somehow came across your site about a year ago. I check for new recipes every few weeks or so, and am glad you have a new one to share!

Keep up the good work- when you have the time!
Cheers :-)

Mo said...

So good to see that you are still eating. ;) Sounds like an exciting time. Keep us updated on your fun travels and cooking endeavors!

Anonymous said...

I've been missing your recipes!! This one looks fabu! Sounds like all is well -

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KI's Chief Blogger

lululu said...

This simple and hearty dish looks great!

amycaseycooks said...

I love pasta recipes with fresh ingredients. I will be making this one very soon!!

Sharona May said...

Looks wonderful! I like the flavor combination, I am sure the corn and cream make it a little sweet. YUM

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Anonymous said...

This looks delicious and the pics are gorgeous as well. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I know the perfect beverage for this yummy dish...Limoncello and here is a recipe you might want to try making for your family and friends

Dazy said...

This would be my son's version of Heaven! I think I'd enjoy it, too!

Chelsea Biondolillo said...

This looks fantastic! Perfect springtime colors... I have been on a fiddlehead kick, and I bet they would work well here in place of the asparagus.

Nick said...

This sounds crazy good, I will have to give it a try.

Anonymous said...

Wow this recipe sounds great, specially 'cause pasta gives energy and shrimps too, so if you prove this you wouldn't need Viagra Online

Viagra Online said...

I've never tasted a sweet pasta but I'll try to do it this night because it looks so appetizing and if it is as it looks in the picture of course it is delicious.

Unknown said...

Is very helpful to change our habits, we need to think the obesity is very danger for everybody, is like a pump that can explot any time. So is necesary to take care of ourselves, exercising and taking good and healthy food and stop eating junk food. The life is too short, so we need to take care of us every single day for enjoy the things that the life gave to us. I bought my house through costa rica homes for sale so i want to enjoy it for long time. That is why i eat healthy including tomatoes, lettuce, vegetables and fruits.

Brianne said...

Hi Kirsten,
We’re currently looking for original and creative Mexican-inspired dishes for Cacique’s Go Auténtico Challenge (recipe contest), and this looks like a great recipe for it! You should really enter this cooking video on the site: http://www.caciqueusa.com/goautentico/landing
Just throw in a couple Cacique products, like Crema Mexicana isn't of heavy cream, and I think your recipe would do really well! The top four finalists will be flown to New York City in the beginning of December (all-expenses-paid) to compete in a nationally televised cook-off at Food Network Celebrity Chef Aaron Sanchez’s restaurant, for a chance to win a trip for 2 to Napa and 5-day culinary bootcamp at The Culinary Institute of America. I’m emailing you because we’re looking for more contestants with good recipes and I think this recipe has great potential.

Brianne said...

* instead of...
;)

food places said...

nice pasta... i love it. your recipe to make past i like... thanks for sharing it.....

Emma said...

These things look gorgeous and I am sure are delicious. I'm bookmarking these to try this weekend.

Greenbusinessonly said...

Wow, this is a great recipe… the combination of pasta, shrimps and vegetables sure make it a balanced and yummy meal to savor.

Dougal said...

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Victor said...

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rhonda said...

Just wondered how you cook the shrimp. Do you saute with the garlic?? Thank you

yung@foodyoo.com said...

Wow…this is good. I love creamy pasta. Guess some other seafood like crab meat or scallop will be good with this too. Of course, best to serve with white wine. :)

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Clipping Path Service said...

Absolutely fantastic job you have done here.This is so nice.Thanks for sharing.

Healthytips said...

Thanks for sharing such beautiful information with us. I hope you will share some more information about pasta. Please keep sharing.
Health Is A Life

Fresh Garlic said...

A little Extra garlic never hurts! Great recipe!