Anaheim Shrimp Scampi
Happy New Year to everyone!  This month you get two recipes.  Enjoy!

I love this tasty dish, both because of the flavors and textures.  (And because you use spaghetti squash instead of pasta, which is both healthier and less caloric.  Believe me, if you serve with the bread below, you need lower calories!!)  I like to serve it with fresh, steamed broccoli and the quickie bread that follows.
 
scampi butter (see below)
1 pound thawed, raw, peeled shrimp (get them at Costco or on special at your grocery)
1 Tbsp white wine		 2 ounces Asiago cheese, cut into small chunks
1 avocado, large diced
1 medium spaghetti squash, about 3 pounds (see below)

Cook spaghetti squash as follows: 

Slice squash in half lengthwise.  Scoop out the seeds with a spoon, same as you would with a pumpkin.  Completely submerge both halves in boiling water.  Cook 25 minutes.  Remove, drain, cool.  Using a fork, scrape the cooked squash from the skin.  Fluff and separate the squash into spaghetti-like strands.

Scampi Butter

1/4 lb butter, softened
1 Tbsp minced garlic (I put mine through a garlic press and use 2-3 cloves)
2 Tbsp minced red onion
1/2 tsp garlic powder (believe it or not, this is not overkill!)
1 Tbsp fresh parsley leaves		 3/4 Tbsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1/8 tsp white pepper
1/8 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 lemon, juiced

In a bowl, using wire whisk, mix butter and other ingredients until well blended.

Place 2/3 of the scampi butter in a large saute pan over high heat and melt.  Add the shrimp and cook, stirring for 1 minute.  Sizzle with white wine and cook until shrimp are opaque, approximately 2-3 minutes, remove from heat and stir in the remaining scampi butter, the Asiago cheese and the avocado chunks.  Heat the spaghetti squash in the microwave.  Serve shrimp mixture over spaghetti squash.  Delish!

Quickie Bread Recipe

Pita bread
Softened butter
Parmesan cheese

Set the oven to broil and the rack close to the broiler.  Slice pita bread in half long-ways, so that you have two round pieces.  Toast the smooth side until lightly browned.  Turn over.  Before you return to the oven, coat the rough side with butter, then sprinkle with Parmesan.  Place under broiler until brown and bubbly.

Serves 2-4

Happy eating!!

January 2005