Light Seafood And Vegetable Pasta

ROASTED VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, toss the zucchini and asparagus with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender, about 20 minutes. Heat the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 more seconds. Increase the heat to medium high, add the tomatoes and simmer, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese. Meanwhile, add the linguine to the boiling water and cook as the label directs. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain the pasta and add to the skillet with the sauce. Add the roasted vegetables and the reserved cooking water; toss to combine, then stir in the basil. Divide among bowls and top with more cheese.

LIGHT SEAFOOD AND VEGETABLE PASTA

Steps:

• Start water boiling to boil pasta.
• Heat olive oil in a large, flat bottom pan.
• When oil is hot, toss in garlic to soften (but not brown).
• Add about 1/3 can of the broth.
• Water should be boiling, toss in the pasta for about 5-6 minutes.
• Toss in vegetables in this order: beans, peppers, zucchini, scallions, tomatoes, mushrooms. Saute the veggies, stirring occasionally.
• Mix the cold half and half with the cornstarch to make a roux.
• Whisk into the retained broth, then add all into the pan of veggies.
• If lobster (or shrimp, etc.) is pre-cooked, wait to add until the last 1 minute of cooking so it doesn't over-cook. Heat it through.
• Drain pasta.
• Serve with a little Parmesan.

GARDEN VEG PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the penne according to pack instructions, adding the broccoli florets and sugar snap peas to the pan for the final 3 mins.
• Meanwhile, gently fry the courgettes in oil for 7-8 mins until soft and tinged pale gold. When the penne and vegetables are almost ready, remove a ladleful of cooking water from the pan. Add 6 tbsp of this to the pan of courgettes, along with the cream cheese, Parmesan, lemon zest, half the lemon juice and seasoning. Stir to make a smooth, creamy sauce.
• Drain the penne and vegetables, then mix with the creamy sauce, adding the basil, extra lemon juice and seasoning to taste. Serve in warmed bowls.

PASTA WITH SHRIMP AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Scrape asparagus with a swivel-bladed vegetable scraper, starting about 2 inches from the top of each spear. Cut off any tough bottoms.
• Cut the spears on the bias at half-inch intervals. There should be about two cups. Set aside.
• Trim off the ends of the zucchini and the yellow squash. Cut each lengthwise in quarters. Cut each quarter crosswise into thin slices about 1/4 inch thick. Set aside.
• Peel and devein the shrimp and set aside.
• Bring enough water to the boil to cover the asparagus, zucchini and yellow squash pieces when they are added. Add salt to taste. Add the vegetables and cook 2 minutes.
• Have a saucepan ready and line it with a sieve. Pour the vegetables into the sieve and reserve both the cooking liquid and the vegetables.
• Put the cooking liquid in a saucepan and add enough water for 8 cups. Add salt to taste. Bring to a boil. Add the pasta and let return to a boil. If the pasta is fresh, cook it about 5 minutes; if it is dried, cook about 4 minutes longer or to the desired degree of doneness. Drain the pasta and return it to the saucepan.
• Meanwhile, as the pasta cooks, heat the oil and 3 tablespoons of the butter in a skillet and add the garlic and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, stirring. Add the cooked vegetables and the shrimp. Cook, stirring occasionally, about 1 1/2 minutes. Pour in the cream. Add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and cook about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.
• Pour and scrape the vegetable mixture over the pasta. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and the basil. Toss and serve.