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Homemade Vegetable Pasta With Shrimp
by Lanny Sherwin
iParenting's Dad of the Month shares a family favorite! It looks complicated, but it's not!
Small shaped pasta (penne, shells, fusilli, raddiatore, etc.)
1/4 cup 100-percent virgin olive oil
3 large cloves fresh garlic, minced, for sauce
1 large clove fresh garlic, minced, for the shrimp
1 zucchini, sliced thin and quartered
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cored, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 cup Portobello mushrooms, chopped (substitute any other mushroom)
1 cup frozen sweet peas
1 can (29 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
2 to 3 cups broccoli florets
2 dozen medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 to 5 fresh basil leaves, chopped, or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1 cup ground reggianno Parmesan cheese (substitute other fresh Parmesan)
directions
Bring large pot of water to boil.

In a separate large saucepan, heat olive oil on medium heat for one minute. Add the three minced cloves of garlic, stirring continuously to prevent burning for one minute. Add mushrooms. Cook until they release their liquids, about four minutes, stirring frequently. Add the bell pepper and zucchini. Cook and stir until they soften.

As the above ingredients cook, drop the broccoli florets into the boiling water for two to three minutes. Scoop out with a slotted spoon or ladle, place in colander and rinse with cold water to prevent further cooking. Leave in colander.

Add tomato sauce, tomato puree, frozen peas and basil to saucepan. Cook until sauce bubbles. Reduce heat and cook 15 to 20 minutes.

In small sauté or frying pan, add 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium heat for one minute. Add one clove minced garlic, stirring constantly for one minute. Add shrimp, turning frequently for three minutes. When shrimp are opaque, add to sauce.

Drop pasta into boiling water. Follow cooking instructions for al dente (cook about one minute less than indicated). Carefully pour out some of the boiling water over the broccoli to reheat. Place the broccoli aside. Pour pasta into colander – do not rinse.

Place pasta in serving bowls, ladle sauce over top and place broccoli florets around circumference of bowl. Add cheese and serve hot.




suggestions
Many vegetable ingredients can be substituted, added or subtracted – experiment! Also, shrimp may be left out altogether, if desired.