Health(ier) Shrimp Scampi

I'm not going to lie, nothing beats fresh pasta. The taste, the texture, the carbs!! It is a comfort food for a reason. It fills you up, makes you sleepy and you just want to crawl in bed after a big helping. I didn't realize how BAD it made me feel though, until I started cutting back on the carbs and substituting healthier choices such as zucchini noodles, the new trendy "zoodles". As a healthier alternative, it comes in as a close second, and it's super easy to make.

The garden is really coming in and I've already harvested 7 zucchinis this past week! If you don't have a garden full of fresh veggies, don't fret. Zucchini is relatively inexpensive. It does take quite a few to make a decent helping, so I usually spiralize 5-6 at a time and keep them in a Ziploc in the fridge til I'm ready to use them.

I usually either combine 2-3 recipes I like into one, or just experiment with the measurements and make it up as I go. For this Shrimp Scampi, start with a pound of large raw, deveined shrimp (21-25 count). Saute them in 2 Tablespoons of butter with a couple cloves of garlic and red pepper flakes (1/4 teaspoon is plenty unless you really want to spice it up)...

You can add a little salt at this point too. I don't cook with a lot of salt but when I do, I use sea salt or pink himalayan salt, sparingly.

Next comes the best part! WINE!!! Once the shrimp are pink on all sides and just about cooked through, add about a 1/3 cup of wine and let it simmer for a few minutes to cook off the bitterness but to give it that sweet taste and fragrant aroma. Don't tell anyone, but then I add another 2 Tablespoons of butter to thicken up the sauce a little.

Now for the oodles of zoodles!!!

Be careful not to cook too long. These delicate "noodles" only take a few minutes in the sauce to soften up.  Too long and they get mushy, so pay close attention. Then add some parsley, shredded parmesan and Bon appetit!!!!!

And don't expect any leftovers... or the need for a nap!

INGREDIENTS:

1 - 1 1/2 lb Raw, deveined shrimp
4 TB Butter
2-3 Zucchini, spiralized
2-3 Cloves of garlic
1/4 Teaspoon red pepper flakes
Dash of Sea Salt
1/3 Cup of white wine
Parsley (to taste)
Shredded parmesan