The whole idea of cooking something delicious in an hour spawned the future of work night meals in our house: "60 Second Delights". Not really a meal in 60 seconds, but quick and sumptuous. This is such a meal.
Pierre suggests cooking is an adventure and I completely agree. I love the challenge of blending foods, herbs, and cheeses, innovation at it's best, a culinary 'experience'. The first time I made this my eyes were opened to the idea of innovation and not needing to follow a recipe all the time.
INGREDIENTS
5 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
2 cups peeled, cubed tomatoes, preferably fresh, about 1 pound whole; or canned tomatoes
1/2 cup dry white wine
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon dried, crumbled oregano
1-1/2 pounds medium-size fresh shrimp, about 48
1/8 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes (or a bit more, if you prefer)
1/3 pound rigatoni, ziti or spirals
1/2 crumbled feta cheese
PREPARATION
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a skillet and add the garlic. Cook briefly (do not burn), stirring, and add the tomatoes. Cook about 1 minute and add the wine, salt and pepper. Add the basil and oregano.
3. Cook over moderate heat about 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, peel and devein the shrimp, leaving the last tail segment on. Sprinkle the shrimp with salt and pepper.
5. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet and add the shrimp. Cook quickly, just until shrimp turn red. Stir as they cook. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes.
6. Spoon the shrimp and any pan juices into a small baking dish. Sprinkle the shrimp with the crumbled feta cheese and spoon the tomato sauce over. Place the baking dish in the oven and bake 10 minutes until piping hot.
7. Meanwhile, cook the rigatoni al dente and drain. Do not overcook. Serve the hot rigatoni with the shrimp mixture spooned over.
See what you think. And it is OK to take short cuts with ingredients... canned diced tomatoes, frozen cooked shrimp... It is better with all fresh, but it is also grand on a work night not to be eating pizza.