This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The International Housewares Association for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.
Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and I can’t wait! It’s such a fun day to celebrate the ones you love. We make it a family affair. When we were younger, we use to out to nice restaurants, but we stopped doing that long before my son was born. The excitement of getting all dolled up for a romantic evening at the nicest restaurant in town on their busiest night of the year just kind of wore off. I mean who wants to waste all their money on the best restaurant on the night that they’ll inevitably have the worst service and food. Instead, we make it a romantic evening in, and make foods that everyone will love.
Tomorrow I’ll be making this creamy Cajun Pasta with shrimp. It’s a quick and easy recipe that’s not only elegant, but also kid friendly. I’ll make this along with some toasted Cuban bread with tomatoes and basil and a simple salad. For dessert we’ll have have our red velvet donuts and hot cocoa while the fire roars and we watch one of my favorite rom coms. Hopefully hubs will agree to watching David Spade’s Lost and Found for 18 thousandth time, or Penélope Cruz in Woman in Top. Oh I love both of those movies!
Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day! You can find this recipe for Cajun Shrimp Pasta at Inspired Home, plus more tips on how to create a romantic Valentine’s Day at home.
For lots more tips on the best tools to help you prepare a romantic dinner this Valentine’s Day, head over to Inspired Home.
Yield: Serves 4
8oz Fettuccine
8oz Smoked or andouille sausage
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb shrimp
1 medium red bell pepper, sliced
1 medium green bell pepper, sliced
1/4 medium onion, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium tomato, diced
1/2 cup chicken broth
the zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup freshly chopped Italian Parsley
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Cook Fettucine according to package directions. Drain well and set aside.
Cook sausage until browned over medium heat in a medium skillet. When done, remove from pan and set aside.
While Fettuccine is cooking, heat large skillet over medium heat and drizzle with olive oil. Add shrimp and cook until just opaque, slightly undercooking. Remove from pan and set aside.
Add bell peppers and onions. Sauce until tender crisp. Add garlic and tomatoes and sauce for a few more minutes. Add cajun spice, lemon zest and 1/2 cup chicken broth. Scrap up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add heavy cream and stir well.
Bring to a simmer over low heat and simmer until slightly thickened. Add pasta. Simmer pasta for 1 to 2 minutes. Add shrimp and cook for another minute. Transfer to serving bowl. Garnish with fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese.