7.21.2010

My Recipes: Mediterranean Shrimp & Bacon Fest

This recipe was like a party in my mouth.

I love combining complimentary foods into one big dish, heaped into a huge bowl with "extras" like melted cheese or pepperocinis on top. Yum-o.

I made up this lil recipe based on the fact that I had some shrimp and bacon in the fridge, pasta and white beans in the cabinet, and onions. I didn't want to have to buy very much at the grocery store since I was walking all the way home, so I grabbed some asparagus, tomatoes and a little mix of antipasti and ended up with the following hodge-podge-of-a-meal.

Ingredients
4 pieces of bacon (I used ham-like slices, but strips will do)
1 small package of cherry tomatoes, halved
2 small onions, chopped
1 large package of peeled, deveined shrimp (as much or as little as you want)
2-3 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning, any kind
1 package pasta (I like using whole wheat or grain)
1 cluster asparagus, chopped into bitesized pieces
2 tablespoons EVOO (that's extra virgin olive oil in Rachael Ray speak!)
1 can cannellini beans (or any kind works)
Salt & pepper to taste
Artichokes, black olives, etc. as desired (hence my package of antipasti)


Cooking Instructions
Brown the bacon to desired consistency in a large pan then remove and wipe pan clean.


Start pot of salted water to boil. Meanwhile place 1 tbsp of olive oil in cleaned pan and begin to sautee onions and tomatoes. Steam chopped asparagus 2.5-3 minutes while onions and tomatoes cook. (If they are taking too long to become soft, cover for a few minutes to quicken.)


Chop bacon into bitesize pieces, then add pasta to boiling water.


Combine asparagus, garlic, shrimp, bacon, remaining olive oil, beans, cajun seasoning and antipasti to onions and tomatoes and cook on medium low heat until everything is heated through and shrimp are opaque. Stir well to combine flavors evenly.



Strain pasta, then place a layer in the bottom of a large bowl and top with a couple spoonfuls of the shrimp and bacon mixture. Enjoy!



"The greatest delight the fields and woods minister is the suggestion of an occult relation between man and the vegetable. I am not alone and unacknowledged. They nod to me and I to them."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

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