Spicy Shrimp and Lemon Pasta

This recipe will make you want to cook this every season of the year!

Why? I’m glad you asked. The mushrooms will give you an earthy flavour which reminds you of fall, the chilli flakes will warm you up during the cold winter season and the fresh tangy flavour of the lemon juice will give you the refreshment you need during spring and summer.

During my visit to Italy I discovered that the Italian kitchen consists of simple and pure ingredients, but executed and combined to perfection. That is exactly what this recipe represents.

Let me take you on my journey to Italy and let’s get to the recipe!

Ingredients that serve 4:

• 400 grams of linguine or spaghetti
• 300 grams of shrimp
• 8 white mushrooms
• 4 tomatoes
• 2 lemons
• 6 big cloves of garlic
• A handful of parsley
• Chilli flakes as much as you can handle
• Salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
• Pine nuts optional

  

  Directions:

  1. Boil water for your chosen pasta, make it as salty as the ocean so your pasta will come out perfectly seasoned. While the water is coming to a boil, chop your garlic, dice the tomatoes, slice your mushrooms and put another pan on the stove to get this party started.

  2. Put some olive oil in your hot frying pan and get that chopped garlic and chilli flakes in, set the flame to low as garlic will burn fast and a burnt flavour will overpower your entire dish. Stir patiently for 3 minutes so those flavours will emerge with the olive oil. This sets the tone for this dish in the end… trust me!

  3. Steal 3 table spoons of pasta water which is almost coming to a boil and add this to the pan with garlic and chilli flakes. Stir and add the tomato dices to the pan so it will become a sauce. This will take approximately 10 minutes. Keep stirring and squash everything with a fork, to blend all the flavours in.

  4. Add those sliced mushrooms to the frying pan. Mushrooms are known to absorb all flavours they are exposed to, so let’s make use of this. Let get all that garlic, chilli and tomato goodness you have going on here absorbing in those shrooms.

  5. Your water must be boiling, good! Add your pasta to the water to get cooked and check the preparation time on the packaging so you don’t overcook them. Al dente or cooked through, the choice is yours, no one is judging here.

  6. While your pasta is getting cooked, add your shrimp to the frying pan to get ready to eat. Meanwhile slice a lemon in half, squeeze and add the juice to the sauce. Taste your sauce if you like it more tangy or spicy, add whatever is preferred.

  7. Your pasta is ready, drain and set aside. Chop your parsley finely and set aside as well.

  8. Final step! Mix your pasta with the sauce in the frying pan, get that sauce right in there, you will love it! Get the parsley and mix that in too before you present it on your best plate.

  9: Optional, garnish with pine nuts, a slice of lemon and some black pepper.

  This spicy shrimp lemon pasta is sure to be a crowd-pleaser with its combination of spicy and tangy flavours. Serve with a side salad and crusty bread for a complete meal. Enjoy!