Shrimp recipes, warm and cold

Here’s a delicious summertime dish to make for your family. Garlic, lemon juice and zest and red pepper flakes make this one a favorite.

Garlic Shrimp Scampi with Angel Hair Pasta

3 tbsp butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (or to taste)

1 pinch salt

1 lemon, zested

1/3 cup freshly-squeezed lemon juice

6 cups vegetable or chicken stock

12 oz.angel hair pasta

2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/3 cups finely chopped fresh parsley

salt and pepper, to taste

Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add in the shrimp and sprinkle with chili flakes and sea salt.

Cook the shrimp for about 1 to 2 minutes per side, or until pink and opaque. Set aside on a plate.

To the same skillet, add the lemon zest and juice. Pour in 5 cups of broth. Keep the remaining 1 cup on hand in case you need it for later. Stir to combine then bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.

Add the pasta, and using a pair of tongs, stir occasionally for a few minutes, or until the pasta starts to soften and bend. Fully immerse the pasta into the liquid, and keep stirring frequently to avoid sticking to the bottom of the pan.

Cook the pasta according to the timing on the package directions. Angel hair pasta needs no more than 3 minutes to cook to al dente.

Once the pasta is cooked to al dente, return the shrimp to the pan and turn the heat off. Stir in the Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley. Mix until the cheese has melted into the sauce. The pasta will continue to absorb the sauce if not served immediately. So quickly season with salt and pepper to your taste.

I had some good pasta salad recently and it made me want to make some. Here is a very simple recipe from the folks at McCormic who make Old Bay seasoning.

Shrimp & Pasta Salad

2 cups small shell pasta uncooked

1-1/2 pounds cooked shrimp, halved

1 cup celery thinly sliced

1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped

1/2 small red onion, finely chopped

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/4 cup Italian salad dressing

2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning

Cook pasta in boiling salted water as directed on package. Rinse under cold water. Drain.

In a large bowl toss pasta in with shrimp celery green and red bell peppers and red onion.

Mix mayo salad dressing and Old Bay in small bowl. Pour over pasta mixture and mix well. Cover.

Refrigerate 2 hours. Just before serving sprinkle with additional Old Bay if desired.