Shells and Broccoli with Shrimp!!

This is a really simple yet delicious dish that my mom used to make. You can make it with or without the shrimp. Since there are so few components, it's really important that you use fresh quality ingredients!

                                                           
 You will need 1 lb. of large pasta shells (not the size that you stuff and bake), 8-10 cloves of garlic chopped,  some fresh broccoli, fresh wild caught shrimp, olive oil, butter, red chili flakes, fresh chopped parsley and fresh parmigiana reggiano cheese, and a few lemon wedges.
Start by doing all your prep work.  Peel and devein the shrimp if they have not already been cleaned (the amount of shrimp to use if any is totally up to your taste and budget), cut the broccoli into bite sized florets (as far as how much broccoli, again it is up to you depending on how much you like a lot or a little), chop the garlic and the parsley.  That's pretty much all the prep work!

                                                                  

Bring a large pot of  salted water to boil, one you normally use for pasta.  Drop the broccoli florets into the boiling water.  While the broccoli is cooking make an ice bath in a large bowl big enough to hold the broccoli by simply adding ice cubes and water.  After about 4-5 minutes of cooking the broccoli remove it from the water with a slotted spoon and place it in the ice bath, this will stop the cooking process so the broccoli will remain crisp and keep the bright green color that we love.

Now bring the water that the broccoli was in back to a boil,  it will probably be a little green from the broccoli, this will only add flavor to the pasta.  If you need to add more water do so.  Re salt the water and once it has returned to a boil add the shells and cook until al dente according to the package directions.  You definitely want to keep the pasta al dente because it will continue to cook after it is removed from the water and for a few minutes in the pan with the broccoli.

                                                                   

    Now turn your attention to the shrimp.  Season them lightly with salt, pepper and a little olive oil.  In a large non-stick pan bring some oil up to temperature.  Place the shrimp gently into the pan being careful not to overcrowd the pan.  What you see is 2 lbs. of shrimp, obviously you can use as much or as little as you like or your budget allows, if you like a lot of shrimp add them all, if you want just a little shrimp use less, if you don't want or like shrimp the dish is great without it too!  Cook the shrimp for only a minute or two a side turning carefully, be sure not to over cook the shrimp, when the turn pink they are done.  Work in batches and remove the cooked shrimp to a plate or bowl.

When the pasta is about cooked, using the same pan you cooked the shrimp in, add some olive oil and chopped garlic.  Drain the broccoli florets and add them to the pan.

Season the broccoli with salt and pepper and toss in the oil and garlic for a few minutes.  Now drain the pasta reserving a few cups of the cooking liquid.  If your pan is large enough add the pasta to the broccoli, if not combine them both in a large serving bowl and toss together adding some of the pasta liquid as needed and a few tsp. of butter, it will create almost like a sauce.

Now in the same pan you have been cooking in add a little more olive oil and chopped garlic and crushed red pepper, as much as you like, a think the heat is great with this dish and like to add a good healthy pinch.  After the garlic has cooked enough, add the shrimp and toss coating evenly with the garlic, red pepper and oil,  add some chopped fresh parsley, remember the shrimp is already cooked so just keep in the pan long enough to reheat and coat evenly.

Add the shrimp to the bowl of broccoli and shells and mix it all together.  Taste for salt and pepper and butter, if you like add more.  Top with some fresh grated parmigiana reggiano, squeeze some fresh lemon over it and serve with some crusty bread!!  Enjoy!!