I love to cook with olive oil and garlic. Growing up Italian gave me the background to be able to use garlic as a side dish. In our home I do most of the cooking and we eat a diet consisting mainly of Mediterranean foods. This style of cooking has been shown in scientific research to be heart healthy. Butter is not used as a rule to cook food and seafood is a main staple as well as fresh peppers, zucchini and mushrooms cooked many ways.

This dish is simple to prepare and elegant enough to serve at a dinner party.

Ingredients Needed:

• 14 ounce bag frozen shrimp (31-40) size, 4.5 shrimp have 100 calories
• Can artichoke hearts in water, whole can has 150 calories
• Whole bunch of garlic, you will use all the cloves in this recipe
• Olive oil, I prefer the green extra virgin for richer taste
• Parsley, several large pinches, fresh or dried
• Whole wheat pasta, linguini
• Salt to taste

Assemble all ingredients before cooking. Peel apart the bunch of garlic and place all the cloves on a cutting board. Smash the cloves with the bottom of the artichoke can. This separates the paper outside of the garlic clove making it easier to remove. Chop garlic and set aside.

In a medium fry pan pour enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan, you can add some butter too if you are a butter eater.

Add the chopped garlic to the pan with the olive oil. Also add the frozen shrimp, and the contents of the whole can of artichoke hearts. Don’t forget to drain the water from the can. Do not use the jar type artichokes as they have a vinegar taste that will alter this dish. Add the parsley and the salt.

Cook all together on medium heat until the garlic softens and the juices in the pan are simmering. The cooking time will be between 15-20 minutes. Stir several times.

In a separate saucepan boil a quart of water. I add some olive oil to the water so the boiling pasta won’t stick. I also add some salt to the boiling pasta water. When the pasta is al dente, I remove and drain the water.

You can portion out the pasta in serving bowls and pour the shrimp scampi on the top. I sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese on the finished dish.

Make as extra portion for a friend or neighbor and spread that Aloha Spirit where ever you live. Mangia.