Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 lb Spinach leaves
• 2 Tomatoes
• 16 large Shrimp
• 2 Tbs Olive oil
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup Chinese chili paste
• 1 lb Dry or fresh penne (or fettuccine, or other pasta), cooked
• 1/2 cup Butter; cut into 10 pieces

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Rinse the spinach leaves and remove the stems. Peel and seed the tomatoes, then chop them roughly.
2. Clean and devein the shrimp. Set them aside.
3. In a skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and sauté for a few seconds.
4. Add the shrimp and Chinese chili paste to the skillet. Cook until the shrimp turn pink. Set aside.
5. Arrange the hot cooked pasta on a serving platter or individual plates.
6. Arrange the cooked shrimp over the pasta.
7. In the same skillet, sauté the spinach and tomatoes in half of the butter until they are tender.
8. Stir in the remaining butter, bit by bit, until all the butter in the pan is melted.
9. Pour equal amounts of the spinach-tomato-butter mixture over the pasta with shrimp.

Enjoy this delicious and flavorful pasta dish with a combination of spicy shrimp, sautéed spinach, and buttery tomatoes!

Here are some variations of the recipe:

1. Spicy Italian Sausage Pasta:

• Replace the shrimp with spicy Italian sausage for a different flavor profile. Cook the sausage until browned and crumbled, then proceed with the rest of the recipe as usual.

2. Vegetarian Spinach and Tomato Pasta:

• Omit the shrimp or sausage to make a vegetarian version. You can add sautéed mushrooms or roasted bell peppers for added texture and flavor.

3. Creamy Spinach Tomato Pasta:

• Add 1/2 cup of heavy cream or half-and-half to the skillet along with the spinach and tomatoes. Simmer until the sauce thickens, then toss it over the pasta for a creamy version of the dish.

4. Lemon Garlic Shrimp Pasta:

• Replace the Chinese chili paste with a mixture of lemon juice and minced garlic. Toss the cooked shrimp in this lemon-garlic mixture before adding them to the pasta.

5. Pesto Shrimp Pasta:

• Prepare a simple basil pesto by blending fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, parmesan cheese, and olive oil. Toss the cooked shrimp in the pesto sauce, then mix it with the pasta and serve.

6. Cajun Shrimp Pasta:

• Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning for a spicier twist. Cook the shrimp in olive oil with a sprinkle of Cajun seasoning until they’re cooked through. Add some bell peppers and onions for additional Cajun flavors.

7. Spinach and Tomato Alfredo Pasta:

• Replace the Chinese chili paste with Alfredo sauce. Toss the cooked pasta, spinach, and tomatoes in the Alfredo sauce, and top it with the shrimp.

8. Mediterranean Shrimp and Pasta:

• Replace the Chinese chili paste with a mixture of sun-dried tomatoes, olives, capers, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Toss the cooked shrimp, pasta, and Mediterranean mixture together for a tangy and flavorful dish.

9. Creamy Garlic Mushroom Pasta:

• Sauté sliced mushrooms in butter until tender. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and let it simmer until it thickens. Toss the cooked pasta and shrimp in the creamy garlic mushroom sauce.