Linguine with Leeks, Shrimp, & Arugula

I saw this cookbook at Barnes & Noble awhile ago and had to pick it up. Trader Joe's is the best, so what better than a cookbook all inclusive of ONLY TJ's items! This recipe was simple, quick to put together, light, but still filling. I've been on a pasta kick lately, I don't know what's going on with that. I try to make myself feel better by using whole wheat pasta. I'm not sure that really makes much of a difference. On a side note: the frozen, crushed garlic cubes at TJ's are probably one of the greatest, most recent kitchen inventions I've discovered. I'm hooked. I used TONS of extra arugula in this one. I even served the pasta with the arugula mixed in over a whole bed of arugula. LOVE the pasta/arugula combo. This will be a great weeknight meal!

Linguine with Leeks, Shrimp, & Arugula via the I <3 Trader Joe's Cookbook:

1 16 oz. bag linguine, cooked & drained

1 tbsp. olive oil

1 tbsp. butter

2 leeks, cleaned & thinly sliced

2 cubes frozen, crushed garlic

1/2 cup vegetable broth

1/2 lb. medium shrimp, peeled & deveined

handful of arugula

1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan

salt & pepper to taste

In a medium saute pan, heat the olive oil and butter. Saute leeks over medium-high heat until tender. (About 5 minutes.) Add garlic and saute 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat & simmer 5 minutes, until sauce is slightly reduced. Add shrimp & cook 3-4 minutes until pink. Toss the leek-shrimp mixture with the cooked pasta. Add arugula & toss. Add grated parmesan & toss. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt & pepper.

Orecchiette with Cherry Tomatoes & Arugula

This is what life is all about: simple pleasures: simplicity, deliciousness, wholeness. You'd never think something so quick and simple could be so delightful and satisfying. I had the best intentions when I decided to attempt this recipe, most of all because Deb at the Smitten Kitchen has steered me in the right direction since the birth of this blog... but of course things never can go as planned. Example/question: Stater Brothers, why do you not carry orecchiette?! A basic pasta, simple enough you would think. Would it be too much to ask for even more, whole wheat orecchiette?! Probably. That's ok, compromise it is. So I made my best attempt by substituting mini whole wheat shells. It was the closest pasta size comparison I could find to the elusive orecchiete (which p.s. come to think of it I have only ever found at Olive Garden.) I also decided that my dinner needed some green uptake, so I added the whole bag of baby arugula opposed to the measly two cups that Deb suggested. One more substitution: grape tomatoes for cherry tomatoes, I find them a bit sweeter & less round. I hate round. :) Either way, delicious, quick, weeknight meal. Moscato pairing = perfection!

Orrecchiete with Cherry Tomatoes & Arugula via Smitten Kitchen:

http://smittenkitchen.com/2006/12/little-ears-big-chew/

Sauteed Shrimp with Arugula and Tomatoes

Again, looking for clever ways to fancy up my necessary protein intake... especially considering the necessity of the Thanksgiving detox. This one was super easy, quick, and satisfying but still light. I added 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for some heat and topped the dish off with some fresh, chopped chives. The recipe didn't really specify, but according to my standards, this was 2 generous entree portions. This would be a great after work/weeknight meal. I would definitely make again.

Sauteed Shrimp with Arugula and Tomatoes via Noble Pig:

http://noblepig.com/2010/06/15/sauteed-shrimp-with-arugula-and-tomatoes.aspx