Chorizo, shrimp add Portuguese flavors to pasta dish

By Linda Gassenheimer

Tribune News Service

Explore the flavors of Portugal in this quick pasta dinner. It's made with chorizo shrimp and orange juice. It’s sure to please the whole family.

Chorizo is a cured smoked pork sausage. I like to keep frozen shrimp on hand for quick dinners. They defrost in a bowl of cold water in about 5 to 10 minutes.

Helpful Hints:

— Use any type of smoked pork sausage.

— Buy peeled deveined shrimp to save time.

Countdown:

— Place water for angel hair on to boil.

— Prepare ingredients.

— Make dish.

Shopping List:

To buy: 1 small package smoked chorizo sausage (3 ounces needed), 1 package peeled and deveined shrimp, 1 package broccoli florets, 1 small container orange juice, 1 container fat-free, unsalted chicken broth and 1 package fresh or dried angel hair pasta

Staples: olive oil, garlic, onion, salt and black peppercorns.

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PORTUGUESE PASTA WITH CHORIZO AND SHRIMP

Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer

2 teaspoons olive oil, divided use

4 large cloves garlic, crushed

1/2 cup sliced onion

3 ounces chorizo sausage, sliced (3/4 cup)

3/4 cup orange juice

1/2 cup fat-free, unsalted chicken broth

1/2 pound broccoli florets, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 4 cups)

1/2 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/4 pound fresh or dried angel hair pasta

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Bring 3 to 4 quarts water to a boil in a large saucepan. Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and add garlic, onion and chorizo. Sauté 5 minutes. Add orange juice, broth and broccoli, cover with a lid and simmer, about 4 minutes. Add shrimp and saute 1 to 2 minutes until shrimp turn pink,

When water comes to a boil, add pasta and cook 4 minutes or until al dente. Drain and toss with remaining teaspoon olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Add the pasta to skillet and toss to coat pasta with sauce.

Yield: 2 servings.

Per serving: 637 calories (32% from fat), 22.8 g fat (7.2 g saturated, 10.2 g monounsaturated), 222 mg cholesterol, 46.3 g protein, 63.6 g carbohydrates, 2.7 g fiber, 715 mg sodium.

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Linda Gassenheimer is the author of over 30 cookbooks, including her newest, "The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook."