Friday, December 05, 2008

HOLIDAY FARE (FRIDAY SEAFOOD FEAST) ~ RED & GREEN SEAFOOD SHELL PASTA

"Remember
This December,
That love weighs more than gold!"
~ Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon


~ Red & Green 'Poinsettia flower'

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RED & GREEN SEAFOOD SHELL PASTA
~ Good carbs 'fit the bill' for energy and easy holiday entertaining
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3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
3 large minced garlic cloves
1/2-1 tsp. crushed dried red pepper flakes
1 28-oz. can chopped Italian plum tomatoes with juice
1/2 cup red wine
1 10-oz. can baby clams, drained & juices reserved
4 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
2 heaping tablespoons fresh basil, if lucky have some (1-2 tsp. dried)
1 tsp. anchovy paste
12 oz. peeled, deveined, and uncooked large shrimp
sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
additional fresh basil for garnish
freshly grated Parmesan cheese
12 oz. large shell pasta, cooked al dente
  • Heat oil in large heavy skillet; add garlic and red pepper flakes and saute about 1 minute, watch that garlic does not burn.
  • Carefully add wine, tomatoes and juices, reserved clam juices, 2 tablespoons parsley, basil, and anchovy paste. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Add clams and shrimp. Simmer until shrimp are just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
  • Add cooked pasta to sauce; toss to combine. Transfer to large serving bowl and garnish with remaining parsley and fresh basil. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and loaf of crusty fresh Italian bread. (4 servings.)

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Joey, a colorful friday feast for the eyes and palate.

Frances

beckie said...

Wow! Does this sound yummy! Of course I could eat pasta 7 days a week. Your quote is beautiful, Joey. I think that's one reason I love the holidays so much-a time for families and love.

Cindy said...

I'll have to pass on this recipe but I love the photo. And it reminds me that I haven't seen many poinsettias yet this year. I wonder why?

Anonymous said...

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.


Susan


http://www.car-insurance-choices.com

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Joey: You have a neat site with a lot of great photos. Your flowers and recipes are interesting. Have you ever considered doing the Today's Flower Meme? It would work well with what you do.
Thanks for the visit and comment.

tina said...

Your pictures are just beautiful! Anything pasta I love so I'll have to check this out.

Anonymous said...

Seafood pasta, yum! What a festive dish for the season we're in at the moment Joey. I love the poinsetta photo, it looks like my header pic. :)

marmee said...

love the closeup and i'll have to skip the pasta for now, dh is on a holistic plan with no pastas. he has lost alot of weight and is getting high blood pressure under control. hope all is well with you and your clan. we are trying to stay warm.it's 30 degrees right now. i did try the strata and it was a hit at a dinner get together. thanks for all your good ideas.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Love those sweet little buds!
Brenda

Anonymous said...

Joey - What a lovely shot of the Poinsettia - such a good angle, it had made for such an unusual picture, now I will read the recipe
K

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I really wish I enjoyed cooking more, because you always have such great-sounding recipes!! :)
~ Monica

Anonymous said...

Hi Joey,
The pasta has all my favorites!!!!
Could you sub equal amounts of Pesto for the fresh basil. I made a ton and have it in the freezer.
As I write this, I'm looking out at the garden and bright sunshine, OH HOW DECEIVING!!!!!
Keep warm,
Ann

joey said...

I'm much like you, dear Frances, embracing life and surrounding gifts ... family, flowers, and (for me) food ... I love them all!

Ah dear Beckie! Life is indeed about family and good food ... what memories are made of.

I'm surprised, Cindy! I seem to be surrounded by poinsettias, which for me is fine, since I love them!

Thanks dear Karen ... I sometimes think you sleep with your camera!

Thanks Susan ... please feel free to visit often.

Hi Fishing Guy (a fun find) ~ so many fun 'MEMES' that I so enjoy visiting, yet can't find time to join. Shame on me, perhaps :) I find treasured moments time to simply post and catch-up, enough to feed my soul.

Thanks, Tina, and I agree ... pasta is a good thing!

I noted your header, P.G.! Great minds think alike ;)

Counting carbs is a good thing, Marmee! Good luck during this holiday season ... we must all watch. I post favorites, knowing all have health issues. I'm a forkful (tasting, sharing, and knowing stuff tastes right) kind of gal, loving to cook, yet wishihng to eating healthy ;) Holiday hugs!

... and, of course, you would, dear Brenda! Thanks for the 'sweet' comment.

I sometimes think YOU must sleep with your camera, dear Karen! Thanks for your encouraging kind words.

... and there you are, dear Ann. Yes, if you have fresh pesto ... go for it! It will certainly 'kick' the flavor of this recipe up a notch! (remember though when cooking pasta and pesto ... save come cooking water in case you need to 'thin out' the intense flavor!) Taste and adjust ...

Hi fun Monica ~ perhaps a New Years resolution! Keep camera near and cook!

Roses and Lilacs said...

Emmm, pasta, one of my favorites. This recipe looks good.'
Marnie