Pasta with Sauteed Shrimp and Tomatoes

Ladies’ Home Journal Family Favorites Cookbook, p. 15

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 cup coarse fresh bread crumbs

3 teaspoons finely chopped garlic

¾ lb cherry tomatoes

1 lb uncooked large shrimp, peeled and deveined

¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

½ lb linguine

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice to taste

¼ cup chopped fresh basil plus leaves for garnish

My shrimp was frozen, so it had to get the faucet sauna treatment before I could peel it. 

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking and toast bread crumbs, stirring with salt and pepper to taste, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon garlic and continue to cook, stirring until crumbs are golden brown, about 2 minutes more. 

I used the store-bought kind of breadcrumbs. If you opt for the same thing, I'd suggest reducing the amount to 3/4 or 1/2 cup. My recipe kind of got OVERWHELMED WITH BREAD CRUMBS.

Transfer bread crumbs to a plate to cool.

Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Add tomatoes and cook, stirring until most of them are beginning to wilt, about 5 minutes. 

Tomatoes all greased up and ready for action.

Stir in shrimp, red pepper flakes and remaining 2 teaspoons garlic and cook, stirring, until shrimp are pink and just cooked through, about 3 minutes. 

They don't stay photogenic for long, though.

Remove pan from heat and keep warm, covered.

Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 minutes. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain pasta in a colander. Transfer pasta to skillet with shrimp. Add cooking water, juice and chopped basil and simmer over moderate heat, tossing gently until combined well and hot, about 1 minute.

Attractive noms FTW.

Serve pasta sprinkled with bread crumbs and garnish with basil.

See what I mean about the breadcrumbs?

My Rating: 4/5 "Quite nice! The basil says elegance, the tomatoes say fun, and the shrimp and pasta will fill you up to a happy, comfy place. Be careful to put the tomatoes entirely in your mouth before you bite down - otherwise they'll squirt!"