PPN: Shrimp With Orzo, Capers, and Currants

Have you ever had a song that repeats itself in your mind, over and over again?  That's my problem for the last three days.  It's the Charles Trenet song, Boum, sung in French, that Absolut Vodka uses in their new pillow fight commercial.  I hum it, hear it in my dreams, and didn't realize I was singing it at the grocery store today, until I noticed people shooting me that, "You're weird" glance.  Or maybe they were amazed at my pathetic French pronunciation.  If I were better at computery things, I'd have Boum as my background music for this post.  If you know it, sing along as you consider the dish I made today, adapted from a Mario Batali recipe. His uses squid, Israeli couscous, and caperberries, which weren't available at my neighborhood grocery.  I substituted shrimp, capers, and orzo, which produced a delicious and simple dish to make, without much chopping or many ingredients.   So, it's perfect for when you're tired, but still want a good meal.  Boum. 

This dish is in honor of Presto Pasta Night, which was created by the lovely Ruth at Once Upon A Feast.  Stop by her site Friday to see a delightful roundup of pasta from around the world.   Boum.

Shrimp With Orzo, Capers, and Currants

(Check out  Mario's version)

Serves 4-6  ( say 4)

2 tablespoons pine nuts
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons currants
1 tablespoon hot chili flakes (or less, use as much or little as you like)
1 teaspoon chopped capers
2 cups tomato sauce (I used plain canned sauce)
1 cup orzo, cooked about 2 minutes less than package directions, then drained
1 pound shelled shrimp
  Salt and freshly ground pepper
  3 scallions, thinly sliced

Heat oil In sauté pan, until hot. Add pine nuts, currants and chili flakes and sauté until nuts are just golden brown, about 2 minutes. Be careful, pine nuts burn quickly.  Add capers, tomato sauce and orzo and bring to a boil. Add shrimp, stir to mix and simmer 2 to 3 minutes, or until shrimp is just cooked.  Add tablespoons of water if sauce seems to be getting too thick as it simmers.  Season with salt and pepper and pour into a large bowl. Sprinkle with scallions and serve.

Comments

[Deborah]

This looks and sounds wonderful. In fact, I think your version sounds much better than the original version!

[Hillary]

I already know this is going to be my favorite tomorrow! That looks gorgeous and delicious!

[Bunty]

I HOPE THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED ME TO DO

JUST CAME BACK FROM THE INTERNIST HIS SCALE MUST BE WRONG WITH SOME EFFORT (not enough it seems)
I DID NOT LOSE A POUND SINCE THE LAST VISIT THREE MONTHS AGO. HE SAID THATS OK (easy for him to say)

IT MUST BE FROM READING YOUR BLOG AND EATING TOO MUCH PASTA LOVE BUNTY

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Geepers Sher those shrimp look totally marvelous! I mean just perfect except they need to be on a spoon just popping in my mouth and not on this computer screen!
Right, do I ever . . . song repeating . . .

[Lydia]

Capers and currants always reminds me of the wonderful chicken marbella from Silver Palate. I will definitely have to try this one -- I don't think I've ever met a shrimp dish I did not love!

[Kevin]

Great looking pasta! I like the use of the currants and capers.

[sher]

Deborah,

Thank you. It's such a simple recipe, I think people can do a lot with it. Scallops would be good too.

Hillary,

I hope you make it! I enjoyed it very much, and the ease in cooking it was certainly nice.

Bunty,

Looking forward to your visit! It will be lots of fun!

Tanna,

Yes, it would be very nice if we could taste the food that we see on these blogs! Maybe someday that will happen.

Lydia,

I've never met a shrimp I didn't devour! :):) These were pretty darn good! I did sprinkle on some of the Mor-Sels, of course.

Kevin,

Yes, the capers and currants, as well as the chili flakes all added contrasting flavors that were delicious.

[Rosa]

A great dish! Very tasty! I love orzo...

Cheers,

Rosa

[Glenna]

Oh wow, Sher! That looks so good and sounds so sophisticated. Just beautiful.

[Ruth]

I agree with Deborah - I like your ingredients better than Mario's. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.

[Anh]

Yum! I have been thinking to use more orzo. Now I have a solid recipe to try!

[PPN]

PPN is NOT food!

[A scientist in the kitchen]

You're making me curious about orzos... Hope I could try one of these days.

[Christine]

I love orzo!! I don't use it very much these days, but your recipe is inspiration enough for me to try this beautiful recipe!

[Katie]

Oooooh that looks soooo good! Mon mari gave me a cold for Christmas and I am craving tomato-y anything!