Staying in this Valentine’s Day? Try your hand at this recipe for luscious shrimp capellini from Travel Channel’s Andrew Zimmern, who recently was in Houston for Super Bowl LI. Need a wine pairing? Check out our recommended Valentine’s wines. That’s amore!
HERBED SHRIMP CAPELLINI WITH SPICY BREAD CRUMBS
Andrew Zimmern, best known for his TV show Bizarre Foods on Travel Channel puts on the Ritz with this lip smacking Sicilian-style shrimp and pasta recipe kissed with garlic and herbs. Find more recipes at www.andrewzimmern.com.
2 lbs. jumbo shrimp, shelled and deveined
1 shallot, minced
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, minced
2 Tbsp. fresh basil, minced
1 ½ tsp. fresh thyme, minced
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
½ cup plus 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
kosher salt and pepper to taste
¾ lb. capellini or angel hair pasta
3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
Spicy Bread Crumbs (recipe follows)
METHOD: Preheat the broiler. Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with the shallot, fresh herbs, crushed red pepper and ¼ cup of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Arrange the shrimp in an even layer on large rimmed baking sheet. Broil 6 inches from the heat for 5 to 7 minutes until lightly browned and just cooked through; flip the shrimp halfway through broiling.
When the water comes to a boil, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and transfer to a serving bowl. Add the lemon juice and the remaining ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons of olive oil and toss well. Season with salt and pepper and toss again. Arrange the shrimp over the pasta and sprinkle some of the spicy bread crumbs on top. Serve immediately with additional bread crumbs at the table. Yield: 6 servings
SPICY BREAD CRUMBS
¼ lb. Italian bread, torn
2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh oregano, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
½ tsp. crushed red pepper
½ stick unsalted butter, melted
1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
kosher salt and pepper to taste
METHOD: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a food processor, pulse the bread with the parsley, oregano, garlic and crushed red pepper until coarse crumbs form. Add the melted butter and lemon juice and pulse until evenly moistened. Season with salt and pepper, and then spread the bread crumbs in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake for about 10 minutes until golden and crisp; let cool.