Shrimp Scampi

A friend of mine shared this dish with me. Yum!

Shrimp Scampi

Dietitian's tip: Traditionally, "scampi" refers to large shrimp that have been covered in garlic oil or butter and broiled. Here the shrimp are sauteed in a small amount of olive oil and tossed together with shallots, lemon juice and brandy or sherry. Served over pasta, this lighter version cuts out 325 calories and 28 grams of fat per serving.

SERVES 6

Ingredients

8 ounces uncooked spaghetti

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 pounds large shrimp (prawns), peeled and deveined

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1/4 cup chopped shallots or green onions

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons brandy or sherry, optional

1/4 cup chopped parsley

1/4 teaspoon salt

Ground black pepper, to taste

4 tablespoons trans-free margarine

Directions: Fill a large pot 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente (tender), about 10 to 12 minutes, or according to package directions. Drain the pasta thoroughly. While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large saucepan. Add the shrimp and cook for about 3 minutes. Turn the shrimp and cook until pink and opaque throughout, about 2 minutes longer. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm. Add the garlic and shallots to the saucepan and cook until fragrant, about 10 seconds. Add the lemon juice, brandy or sherry if desired, parsley, salt and pepper. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the margarine and cooked shrimp. Toss to coat with the sauce. Divide the pasta among warmed individual bowls. Top each serving with shrimp sauce and serve immediately.

Nutritional Analysis (per serving) Calories 335 Cholesterol 233 mg Protein 36 g Sodium 405 mg Carbohydrate 30 g Fiber 2 g Total fat 8 g Potassium 401 mg Saturated fat 1 g Calcium 101 mg Monounsaturated fat 4 g

Quick & Easy Hamburger Buddy

Makes 6 servings, about 1 1/3 cups each

TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

3 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
2 medium carrots, cut into 2-inch pieces
10 ounces white mushrooms, large ones cut in half
1 large onion, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 pound 90%-lean ground beef
2 teaspoons dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 cups water
1 14-ounce can reduced-sodium beef broth, divided
8 ounces whole-wheat elbow noodles (2 cups)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or chives for garnish

1. Fit a food processor with the steel blade attachment. With the motor running, drop garlic through the feed tube and process until minced, then add carrots and mushrooms and process until finely chopped. Turn it off, add onion, and pulse until roughly chopped.

2. Cook beef in a large straight-sided skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the chopped vegetables, thyme, salt and pepper and cook, stirring often, until the vegetables start to soften and the mushrooms release their juices, 5 to 7 minutes.

3. Stir in water, 1 1/2 cups broth, noodles and Worcestershire sauce; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is tender, 8 to 10 minutes.

4. Whisk flour with the remaining 1/4 cup broth in a small bowl until smooth; stir into the hamburger mixture. Stir in the sour cream. Simmer, stirring often, until the sauce is thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parsley (or chives), if desired.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 326 calories; 10 g fat (4 g sat, 3 g mono); 54 mg cholesterol; 38 g carbohydrate; 23 g protein; 4 g fiber; 431 mg sodium; 644 mg potassium. Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (70% daily value), Zinc (33% dv), Iron (20% dv), Potassium (18% dv). 2 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings. Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 2 medium-fat meats