20-Minute Shrimp Pasta, Mediterranean-Style | The Mediterranean Dish (2024)

FAQs

What is Mediterranean pasta made of? ›

A light, easygoing mix of angel hair pasta, fresh lemon, and classic Mediterranean ingredients like tomato, Parmesan, and artichoke, this simple but splendid healthy pasta recipe can carry itself at any meal.

Recipe Ingredients and Substitutions:

For an extra nutrient boost, look for whole wheat pasta. Or, for a gluten-free, higher protein alternative, use chickpea pasta, such as Banza brand.

Traditionally, Italian cooks used small, lobster-like crustaceans called scampi, also known as Dublin Bay Prawns or Norway Lobsters, to make this dish. Now, it is more commonly made with shrimp--hence the name "shrimp scampi." Shrimp scampi is made with a simple sauce of garlic, butter, and white wine.

Thanks to its geography, there are some staple Mediterranean ingredients that cross borders and feature in most local cooking, including plenty of fresh fruit and veg, such as tomatoes, aubergines and lemons; garlic, onions and fresh, aromatic herbs; as well as extra virgin olive oil, nuts, super-fresh seafood, meat, ...

Common spices and herbs used in the Mediterranean include basil, bay leaf, black pepper, cloves, coriander, cumin, dill, fennel, garlic, lavender, marjoram, mint, oregano, parsley, paprika, rosemary, saffron, sage, savory, sumac, tarragon, thyme, and turmeric.

Foods to limit on a Mediterranean diet include: Added sugar: added sugar is found in many foods but especially high in soda, candies, ice cream, table sugar, syrup, and baked goods. Refined grains: white bread, pasta, tortillas, chips, crackers. Trans fats: found in margarine, fried foods, and other processed foods.

Milk, yoghurt and of course CHEESE. Ricotta, mozzarella, fetta and haloumi are all vitamin rich dairy options that fit within the Mediterranean diet. Best of all, you can easily incorporate these into breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The foundation of the Mediterranean diet is plant foods. That means meals are built around vegetables, fruits, herbs, nuts, beans and whole grains. Moderate amounts of dairy, poultry and eggs are part of the Mediterranean diet, as is seafood.

While the dish is seemingly a staple of Italian-American cuisine, you're unlikely to see “shrimp scampi” listed on dinner menus in Italy. And one of the main reasons is because of its name.

The black line on the top of a shrimp is its digestive tract, so yes, that's poop you can see. It's safe to eat, but in general people tend to prefer their shrimp deveined, i.e. with the digestive tract removed, because the tract can have a bitter taste and a sandy texture.

Can dogs eat shrimp? ›

When prepared properly, shrimp is safe for dogs and puppies to eat in small portions. Shrimp does contain a high amount of cholesterol and sodium. Make sure that the shrimp is thoroughly cooked, and always remove the shell, veins, and tail. The shells can become a choking hazard or even lead to an intestinal blockage.

In Greece, you can find shrimp saganaki on most menus. It's a beloved summer dish, usually served as mezze with a boozy beverage like ouzo (anise-flavored Greek liquor) or white wine. Not only is ouzo often served with shrimp saganaki, it is also usually included in the recipe!

Much of our langoustine is exported to Europe where the whole fish still in its shell is highly prized. But most langoustines end up as scampi. Although langoustines are relatively abundant, scampi's popularity means it is expensive.

Scampi are tiny, lobster-like crustaceans with pale pink shells (also called langoustines). Italian cooks in the United States swapped shrimp for scampi, but kept both names. Thus the dish was born, along with inevitable variations.

So, what makes a sauce decidedly Mediterranean? It's the staple ingredients native to the region — think olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs, citrus fruits, and a variety of spices. These are combined in a multitude of ways to create sauces that are as diverse as the region itself.

The building blocks of Mediterranean flavor are in the seasonings. Any kitchen looking to build Mediterranean dishes can get started by adding herbs, spices and blends to the pantry. Many herbs—rosemary, thyme, oregano, mint, marjoram, sage, etc.

Olives and Olive Oil – The heart and soul of Mediterranean food. Olives and olive oil are one of the most common ingredients you can find when it comes to cooking. It not only makes our food taste amazing, but it is healthy for the heart and lowers cholesterol.

Mediterranean cuisine is full of exciting flavours, from fresh and peppery herbs, to tangy and salty cheeses. The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the world's healthiest diets, and is high in vegetables, fruits, legumes, fish and unsaturated fats like olive oil.