Servings: 4
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 1/2 Tbs Butter
- 1 1/2 Tbs Flour
- 1 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 cup 35% Cream
- 1 1/2 Tbs Pesto Sauce
- 1 1/2 Tbs Chopped Parsley
- 1 Tbs Minced Garlic
- 2 Tbs Grated Parmesan Cheese
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp White Pepper
- Worcestershire Sauce and Tabasco Sauce, to taste
- 2/3 lb Capellini
- 1/2 Red Pepper, cut into strips
- 1/4 lb Snow Peas, trimmed
- 1 lb Jumbo Shrimp
INSTRUCTIONS:
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour and cook for a few minutes until it turns golden.
- Add the milk and cream to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and continue stirring until it thickens.
- Stir in the pesto sauce, chopped parsley, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, white pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce. Mix until all the ingredients are well blended. Reduce the heat and keep the sauce warm, stirring occasionally.
- In a large pot of boiling water, cook the capellini pasta for approximately 3 to 4 minutes, or until it reaches al dente consistency.
- In another pot of boiling water, poach the red pepper strips, snow peas, and jumbo shrimp for about 2 to 3 minutes, or until they are just heated through.
- Drain the cooked pasta and mix it with the prepared sauce. Divide the pasta into heated individual serving bowls.
- Garnish each portion with the poached shrimp and vegetables.
- Serve the dish immediately.
Here are a few variations you can consider for the described recipe:
- Chicken Alfredo: Instead of shrimp, you can substitute cooked and sliced chicken breast. Add the chicken to the sauce along with the pasta and vegetables.
- Vegetarian Option: Omit the shrimp and substitute it with sautéed mushrooms or grilled tofu cubes. This will provide a delicious vegetarian alternative.
- Spicy Kick: If you enjoy spice, add crushed red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce. This will give the dish a spicy twist.
- Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato: For a different flavor profile, add chopped sun-dried tomatoes to the sauce. They will impart a rich and tangy taste.
- Herb Variation: Experiment with different herbs such as basil, oregano, or thyme. Add them to the sauce to create unique flavor combinations.
- Vegan Option: Replace the butter, milk, and cream with plant-based alternatives such as vegan butter, almond milk, and coconut cream. Adjust the seasonings accordingly.
- Pasta Swap: Try using different pasta shapes like penne, fusilli, or rigatoni instead of capellini. Each shape will bring a slightly different texture and appearance to the dish.
- Extra Vegetables: Feel free to add more vegetables to the dish. Consider including broccoli florets, cherry tomatoes, or sliced zucchini for added color and nutrition.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese. Replace the grated Parmesan with grated pecorino romano or a blend of Italian cheeses for a different flavor profile.
- Garnish Ideas: Explore additional garnishes such as toasted pine nuts, chopped fresh basil, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for added visual appeal and taste.
Here are some more details about the dish:
- Sauce: The sauce starts with a roux made by melting butter and stirring in flour. Milk and cream are then added, creating a creamy and velvety base for the sauce. Pesto sauce, chopped parsley, minced garlic, grated Parmesan cheese, salt, white pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco sauce are incorporated to enhance the flavor profile.
- Capellini: Capellini, also known as angel hair pasta, is a thin and delicate pasta variety. It cooks quickly and has a silky texture. The capellini is cooked until al dente, which means it retains a slight bite, providing a pleasant texture to the dish.
- Shrimp: Jumbo shrimp are poached in boiling water until heated through. The cooked shrimp are then added as a protein component to the dish. They add a succulent and slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the creamy sauce.
- Vegetables: The recipe includes strips of red pepper and trimmed snow peas as the chosen vegetables. These veggies provide color, texture, and a touch of freshness to the dish. However, you can customize the vegetable selection based on your preference and seasonal availability.
- Flavor Enhancements: Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco sauce are added to the sauce to provide a depth of flavor and a hint of tanginess and spiciness. These ingredients add complexity to the overall taste of the dish.
- Garnish: The individual servings of pasta are garnished with the poached shrimp and vegetables, adding visual appeal to the dish.



