The French cuisine is renowned for its diversity, flavours and the quality of its ingredients. Among the most appreciated dishes by food lovers, we find the pasta with shrimp. This simple dish is appreciated for its freshness and unique taste. Discover here how to make this delicate dish in just a few steps.
The ingredients for successful shrimp pasta
To prepare delicious shrimp pasta, you first and foremost need to select quality ingredients. Good products are essential to achieve a rich and authentic flavor. So here is a list of the necessary ingredients to prepare this dish:
- Pasta (400g): choose the type of pasta you prefer (spaghetti, penne, tagliatelle…), but favor those that have been made from durum wheat for better cooking performance.
- Shrimps (250g): preferably choose fresh shrimps rather than frozen ones for optimal taste. Do not hesitate to ask your fishmonger for advice on choosing quality shrimps.
- Garlic (2 cloves): opt for fresh and organic garlic if possible, as it brings an incomparable flavor to your dishes. Avoid powdered garlic which may be less tasty.
- Aromatic herbs: parsley, basil, thyme or even chives, mix it up!
- Parmesan (100g): a good cheese is essential to enhance this dish.
Steps to prepare shrimp pasta
Follow these steps to easily make this recipe:
1. Cooking pasta
First of all, cook the pasta in a large amount of boiling salted water. Let them cook for the time indicated on the package, usually between 8 and 12 minutes. To check that the pasta is well cooked, taste one: it should be al dente, that is, firm but not hard. Once the pasta is cooked, drain them and set them aside.
2. Shrimp preparation
While the pasta is cooking, you can start preparing the shrimp. If they are raw, you must first peel them. Then rinse them under cold water to remove any possible residue. Pat them dry with a paper towel to prevent them from releasing too much water during cooking. Then, set the shrimp aside.
3. The preparation of garlic and aromatic herbs
Peel the garlic cloves and finely chop them. You can also crush them with a garlic press if you have one. Furthermore, chop your aromatic herbs (parsley, basil…) to release all their flavors.
4. Cooking the shrimp
In a hot pan with a drizzle of olive oil, add the minced garlic and sauté over medium heat for about a minute. It’s important not to let it burn, as it would turn bitter. Then fold the shrimp into the pan and let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until it turns a nice orange-pink.
5. Assembling the dish
Once everything is ready, all that’s left is to assemble the dish. Gently mix the pasta with the shrimp in the pan over low heat, then incorporate the chopped aromatic herbs and generously sprinkle with grated parmesan.
6. Serve hot!
All that’s left to do is to enjoy your shrimp pasta dish, accompanied by a good glass of white wine and a green salad for a complete meal. Here’s a recipe that always makes an impression at the table, for both kids and adults alike.
Some ideas to vary the pleasures
To give even more flavor to your shrimp pasta, here are some suggestions:
- Add vegetables: cherry tomatoes, zucchinis, bell peppers or even spinach go very well with these Mediterranean flavors.
- Variations on sauces: replace the olive oil with butter for a creamier texture, add a little fresh cream or even prepare a saffron sauce for an even more refined dish.
- Mix pasta types: why not use several varieties of pasta on the same plate for an original presentation?
Feel free to revisit this recipe according to your desires, let yourself be guided by your greed and enjoy! With these tips and tricks at hand, pasta with shrimp will soon no longer be a secret to you.