Shrimp Linguini

Valentine's Day  I cooked one of our favorite meals, shrimp linguini with artichokes and arugula. The recipe is inspired by one of my sister's but I don't like to follow directions so I just make it up as I go trying to remember how she makes hers.  Sorry sis if I have completely butchered it!  It is a great quick and easy date night dinner to make.
 I also tried something for the first time, fried polenta and I am hooked on it!  It was so easy to cook and is fat free except of course for the olive oil that I fried it in but you can bake it too.  I also made a yummy greek salad that was chopped full of veggies and feta cheese!  It was a lovely night.

Shrimp Linguini

• 1 lb uncooked shrimp
• 2 cups chopped arugla
• 1 can artichoke hearts (if whole make sure to chop)
• 4-6 cloves garlic
• 1 medium sized lemon
• cracked pepper
• olive oil
• butter
• parmesan cheese
• linguini noodles

~Follow directions and boil linguini noodles in salted water.  Here's a trick I picked up from a friend...add a little bit of olive oil to the water and it will keep the noodles from sticking together!
~In a pan heat 1 Tblsp of Olive Oil over medium heat and add 1 lb of Shrimp.  Cook on medium heat  for about 2 1/2 minutes on each side.
~In a separate pan on medium heat add 2 Tblsp of Olive Oil and 2 Tblsp of butter.  Add a can of chopped Artichoke Hearts (drain first) and 2 cups of chopped Arugula.  Squeeze the juice of a whole lemon into pan and add 4-6 cloves chopped Garlic along with a little bit of Cracked Pepper. Once Arugula is welted  add cooked Shrimp.  Stir together and serve over Linguini.  Top with shredded Parmesan and enjoy!


Here is a glimpse at the Polenta we had.  It comes in Basil & Garlic and all you have to do is slice off 1/2 inch pieces and toss into a frying pan that has a little bit of oil.  Flip sides after about 3 or 4 minutes and serve warm.  It's so delicious and can be used as a substitute for noodles in Italian dishes.