Thursday, March 5, 2015

Simple Drunken Shrimp Linguine {Wine Pairings and Oil tips}



An insanely simple plate of drunken shrimp pasta is in order if you are feeling like you can't take one more second of the cold. I implore you to throw this pasta together and brighten your mood altogether.
Shrimp is one of my favorite, decadent treats yet it couldn't be easier to prepare. Literally minutes.









Fresh, raw shrimp is best but if you buy frozen shrimp, choose tail off, deveined large shrimp and make sure you remember to defrost them in the fridge for 24 hours before you cook them then pat them dry before sautéing. The frost on the shrimp won't allow them to cook properly, steaming them instead of sautéing.


Linguine noodles soaked up the extra drunken tomato sauce and was slurp worthy. Not to worry, cooking the sauce makes this dish alcohol free but the taste one step above ordinary! I threw some finely chopped carrots into my sauce to sweeten it up a bit and balance out the boldness from the infused tomato sauce and the spiciness from the red chili flakes. Garlic of course was added in generous amounts rounding out this bold and hearty pasta.



Wine Pairings

Even though this sauce has bold flavors, if you are pairing with a wine, choose  either a light red such as a Pino Noir or Chianti. If your sauce is on the spicier side, stick with a Spanish or California Rose to avoid a metallic aftertaste you'll get from red wines or choose a white wine with light, balanced fruit notes such as a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc which will really bring out the mild flavors of the shrimp.


Ingredients

1 10 oz package Linguine noodles, cooked according to package directions, al dente
1 lb. large, raw tail off shrimp - deveined
1, 32 oz. can petite diced tomatoes, un-drained
1/4 cup good quality gold tequila {or red wine} broth or juice from tomatoes may be used 
1/2 cup finely diced carrots
6 cloves thinly sliced garlic
1 shallot, minced
1 tablespoon med-high smoke point oil: grape seed, palm oil, safflower, or avocado oil
1 tablespoon real butter
generous pinch of salt
red pepper flakes to taste



Have all of your ingredients prepped and ready to go!

While pasta water is being brought to a boil, heat a large wok over medium-high heat. Add oil and butter, let it get fairly hot but do not burn butter. Add dried shrimp and carefully and quickly toss to coat. Let shrimp sit for 2 minutes, flip again to toss and let sit for 1-2 more minutes till pink.

Add carrots, shallot and garlic to skillet, sprinkle with salt toss to combine. Cook 1 minute stirring so as not to burn shallot and garlic. Pour in tequila or other liquid you are using to deglaze the wok using a large, flat spoon to scrape brown bits of bottom of wok. Turn down heat to medium-low. Let sit for 2-3 minutes while liquid cooks down. Add tomatoes, stir to combine. Let simmer for 3-5 minutes till just warmed through. Remove from heat. Spoon over drained pasta.


notes:

Adding salt to the carrots and shallots at the beginning of sautéing will soften them and bring out their natural flavors adding to the sauce.







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