A craving satisfied & An inspired Pumpkin Punch
>> Saturday, 20 March 2010
When I saw Syrie's pasta post in January, my mind quickly turned to Jamie Oliver's Spaghetti with Anchovies, Dried Chilli and Pangritata recipe that I had bookmarked years ago (The Return of the Naked Chef). Though I love pasta, I don't make it often and when I do, I like it to be exceptional, which in my case means simple with a few quality ingredients. I prefer pasta dishes that are not heavily sauced, so this recipe suited me just fine.
See Syrie's recipe to make this dish for two. However, for the pangritata and shrimp, here's what to do.
PANGRITATA
Ingredients
3 - 4 tablespoons olive oil
3/4 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or parsley
1 clove garlic, chopped
Salt and pepper
Directions
- Add the oil to a fry pan and heat gently
- Add the breadcrumbs, thyme, and garlic. Toss to mix and let toast until crisp gently browned (or to your desire). Season with salt and pepper and spread on paper towels until ready to use
- Sprinkle liberally over the dish and serve
Note: do not turn away while the breadcrumbs are toasting, it cooks and browns in very little time. Ensure that you are toasting with gentle heat.
PAN-SEARED SHRIMP
Ingredients
6 jumbo shrimp, clean and de-veined
2 tablespoons oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Season shrimp with salt and pepper to taste
- Heat pan on medium heat and add oil
- Add shrimp and let cook for 1 + 1/2 minute on one side. Flip and cook for another 1 + 1/2 minute on the other side
- Remove from pan and set aside
- Add to pasta when ready to serve
Here are some other pasta dishes you may like to try: Kit's Chow, Tigerfish, Cinnamon Girl & Soup Belly.
Now about this Pumpkin Punch. My good friend Felix is always showcasing what I like to call real food. It's everyday food that is nutritious and it's food that lies at the heart of good homecooking. So, today I offer you two versions of pumpkin punch, you can make it Felix's way or my way. The main differences are: he cooked his pumpkin, I didn't. He added sugar, milk and condensed milk, I only added condensed milk which did dual duty for me - added the creaminess of milk and the sugar to sweeten.
For my recipe, see this week's column. And for Felix's recipe, click here.
56 comments:
that pumpkin punch sounds like a good idea for a smoothie. have you done that? you are creative.
A scrumptious pasta dish! That is a nice combination... I love that pumpkin punch!
Cheers,
Rosa
I agree, I also do not make pasta often, but It's one of those things that needs to be made perfectly well... This recipe sounds like a good one :)
visiting after a long time and i loved the pasta ...i like my pasta on the drier side too...n with fresh herbs.
pumpkin smoothie using raw pumpkin looks interesting...
I very often made the pasta dishes...but was never as good as this one--just sensational!
Beautiful combination with the pasta dish...love it! And the pumpkin smoothie...very different and worth a try!
Sensational photos as always
Ronelle
I've been making a pasta dish like this with the za'atar - just za'atar and garlic in some olive oil in a wok then throw in a lovely whole wheat spaghetti. Topped with grilled shrimp too! and no sauce. Love it. I've been seeing recipes for this pasta with breadcrumbs. I must try it.
BTW I am headed to Barbados tomorrow for a meeting for a few days - will send you an email!
OH, Cynthia, how do you make pasta look so sexy and tempting? We see pasta all the time, but that shot with the tongues twirling the pasta is beautiful. The entire series of dishes and that drink look yummy and refreshing. I love the colors.
Pasta with shrimp and toasted bread crumbs sounds absolutely delicious! A beautiful pasta. What a rich and creative punch too! How very sweet of you to link to my pasta - thanks so much!
I haven't been to your site in a while - I'm kicking myself for it now. I missed your lovely posts - your new site is so bright and fresh - I love it.
The succulent shrimps, al-dente pasta and crisp panko...what a textural excitement!
I have yet to try a pumpkin punch although it has been on my to do list ever since I saw an alcoholic version called pump de crème. It's a vegetarian version (for those that include milk not eggs) of Ponche de creme.
Ohhh, that shrimp and pasta is sure to satify a craving. I love simple unfussy meals like that.
hi cynthia
I did not know about htis panko but this looks good ! cheers fro a sunny Paris PIerre
Qn.I have questions... (http://kaipunyam.blogspot.com/2010/03/kozhukatta-with-mulaku-chammanthi.html)
This looks like something that I would like to try.
Given that I don't know what idiyappam is, I have no frame of reference so can you enlighten me please...
Secondly, the amount of salt should be salt to taste?
Thirdly, what are some of the things that I can eat this with?
Ans.Hi Cynthia, thanks a lot for your interest shown in the recipe.... and apologies for not being able to answer your queries soon enough...
1.Idiyappam:
Please take a look at some of my fellow bloggers' sites to get an idea about it.
http://deepann.wordpress.com/2006/11/16/idiyappam/
http://giniann.wordpress.com/2006/01/28/idiyappam/
Kozhukkatta:
Similarly, kozhukkatta can be prepared in a couple of ways, with different stuffings like jaggery or sugar as well as without.
http://kitchenmishmash.blogspot.com/2008/05/kozhukkatta-nadan-edible-bomb.html
http://blog.sigsiv.com/2007/09/ila-ada-and-kozhukkatta-steamed-rice-delights-from-kerala.html
2. Amount of salt - salt to taste (like you mentioned, Cynthia)
3. If the kozhukkatta is made without any stuffings you can have it with a dry chilly chutney, like I mentioned, if you like it hot... If the kozhukkatta has stuffings, it can be had as-is without any side dishes...
I was so attracted by the photos of your dish: they are beautiful! Makes me want to jump out of bed this morning and cook it! (well maybe in a couple of hours!)
That pumpkin punch is so original, I will check it out further! (love pumpkin) all in all, a great post! Thanks!
Cynthia, that pumpkin punch looks interesting. I've never heard of it nor have I had it. The shrimp and pasta dish looks good too.
Although this is a simpler recipe it does not lack anything in the flavour department Cynthia.
I love toasted panko. I usually toast it with some butter to give the extra fragrance.. albeit less healthy than olive oil. My DD has already requested this pasta dish :-)
Pumpkin punch sounds very interesting. Perhaps I need to pull my juicer and try it just like I make carrot juice.
As always, lovely clicks!
Dear Cynthia!! That's exactly my idea of a good pasta.
About the pumpkin punch: never have tried such a thing, I need to as soon as possible!
Oh the shrimp looks perfect!
such an awesome post, drooling over pasta!
Loving the shrimp and pasta dish...sometimes a recipe benefits from holding back on some ingredients - like here.
The pumpkin punch looks amazing.....love its lovely, rich colour.
Wow, I didn't know you could turn pumpkin into something like that :D I bet it tastes great!
OMG - that looks like one delicious pumpkin punch!!! and does the panko really take that pasta to the next level? we dont get panko here
Pumpkin punch sounds very interesting and refreshing. I am big fan of shrimp and I love the combo of pasta and shrimp. Very nice recipe.
hello dear,
loved those interesting & useful tips about the veggies.. especially the shallots (didn't know that they can be frozen)... thank you!!
loved both the versions of the pumkin punch!! that's a wonderful way of making my teddies gobble some lol
the pasta dish looks simply fantastic, those irresistible pictures made me hungry !!!! looks soooo good!!!must try it!!!
I almost invariably see/learn something new when I visit your blog. Pumpkin punch is a completely new one on me - sounds fantastic!
Pumpkin punch sounds interesting and delicious! I have to try it!Beautiful pictures.
That should be a delicious , sunny drink the pumpkin punch! The pasta sounds unique with panko!
Cynthia, what a nice pasta dish...love the idea of using panko :-) and the pumpkin punch looks so tasty!
The pasta with shrimp sounds terrific and what a unique and wonderful drink!
That punch looks like a mango smoothie. Have not been blogging for a while now,was on vacation :)
It's good to be back.
Hi Cynthia, I haven't been around for a while due lots of work pressure and I clearly have missed out on a lot. The new layout is a beauty and the pasta is exactly what you aimed for exceptional!!
Your blog is a feast to eyes and shudnt be visited on empty stomach :D..lol love the idea of pumpkin punch!
Cynthia, thanks so much for the mention. Your pasta looks divine! I must try the recipe with prawns. Your site is looking fantastic. Lots of love.
i loved that pumpkin punch recipe. i would personally go for a combo of both versions - would cook the pumpkins but would skip the extra sugar if am adding condensed milk.
Shrimp in pasta and Pumpkin punch looks absolutely lovable :D
Hey Babes,
The pasta looks so delicious! Will try the pumpkin punch since pumpkins are abundant here.
Our internet is so slow that today after so many attempts in the past few weeks I was able to see the pictures on the blog.
Will write soon, I am hoping that you are doing well.
Lots of love,
Sonia
Oh Cynthia, this pasta looks too good right now! Authentic comes to mind also-I think I'm going to log off and go get some shrimp!
That looks delicious! I too, learned not to walk away from the stove - over the weekend I made my daughter some macaroni and cheese - I decided to make a butter bread crumb topping and the first batch burned!
Love simple dishes - thanks for sharing!
Panko and pasta? Pumpkin punch? Oh all this is new to me. Looks fabulous. Can't wait to experiment these dishes.
Oooh now this all looks so good!
Pumpkin punch is new to me,interesting.
Reg ur query i used raw plantains for the fry.
Wow! It's lunch and I'll have some right now!
Pasta and shrimp sounds like a good combo....Love the color of pumpkin punch
Cynthia, I must try the Pumpkin Punch - your way, my dear: condensed milk is sweet enough for me... although, I'd be curious to see how cooking the pumpkin changes the taste.
Only you can make the plain old spaghetti so drool-worthy! No wonder I walk away from your recipes truly inspired :)
That pumpkin punch looks heavenly! Beautifully rich color. Bet it has a texture like silk.
I used to love adding a big handful of breadcrumb on my pasta... yours is gorgeous!
The pumpkin punch sounds like such an original idea. I don't think I have ever seen a recipe for this before.
I love the pasta recipe, it is simple, easy to prepare sans the worrying it costs too much. I will try when friends come over to my place, and I am sure they'll love it.
Great pasta with plump shrimps, and gorgeously healthy punch.
Amazing.
That pasta dish looks super fantastic! I love pretty much all dishes with pasta or shrimp ;)
Hi Cynthia:
Wow! This is one great pasta dish. I have never heard of PANGRITATA and I will try it soon.
Thanks for mentioning my post.
Wow, the color of that punch is beautiful!
The shrimp dish sounds delicious.
LL
Oh tasty! I love the look of the pumpkin punch. And when I read you've got condensed milk in there? I'm now totally convinced I'd be trying it soon!
Great shrimp pasta. Enjoyed the extra bread crumbs you decided to add to the ingredients list. Thanks for sharing.
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