Angel Hair with Shrimp & Tomatoes

One of my favorite things to cook for dinner is "pasta with" whatever protein I have on hand.  On this particular night, I had some frozen, uncooked shrimp.  This is one of those recipes that seems complicated, but really is quite easy (& impressive).  I adapted this recipe from Melissa D'Arabian's shrimp scampi.  I got the idea to use shrimp stock from her...

Angel Hair with Shrimp & Tomatoes

1 lb medium easy peel uncooked shrimp, keep the shells!

5 garlic cloves, pressed through a garlic press

Juice of 1 lemon

1/3 cup olive oil (about 5 Tbsp)

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/2 of a small onion

3/4 lb angel hair (or your pasta of choice)

1/2 of 14.5 oz can of diced tomatoes (I used Delmonte seasoned with basil, garlic and oregano)  

2 Tbsp butter

small handful of fresh basil, chopped

Grated parmesan cheese

First

Make a quick marinade for the shrimp with the olive oil, juice of one lemon, garlic, 1/4 tsp salt, and the pepper.  Add the shrimp, mix it up a bit, and let this sit while you make the stock.

Second

This part might sound complicated, but it isn't, and really is what makes this dish great.  Place the shells from your shrimp in a small saucepan.  Add the onion and 1 cup of water.  After bringing to a boil, let it simmer for 20-30 minutes.  Strain the shells and reserve the liquid.  If you want to skip this step, you could substitute 1 cup of canned chicken stock.

Third

Boil the pasta in salted water while your stock simmers.  When you drain the pasta, reserve 1/2 of a cup of the water the pasta cooked in for the sauce.

Fourth

Heat a skillet over high heat.  Add shrimp (leaving extra marinade in bowl) until they turn pink, 2-3 minutes, taking care not to overcook.  Remove shrimp to bowl.  Add the remaining marinade to the pan and cook for a minute or 2 (don't burn the garlic, keep it moving around the pan with your spoon).  Add the shrimp stock, the diced tomatoes, pasta water, butter, 1/4 tsp. salt and stir.  Add the shrimp and pasta, stir to combine.  Transfer to large pasta bowl and top with fresh basil.  Serve with grated parmesan cheese, if you like.

Enjoy!!