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Garlicky Shrimp Pasta with Tarragon

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on August 23, 2013

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Garlicky Shrimp Pasta with Tarragon

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti Salt and pepper 1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined3 tablespoons olive oil 1 shallot, minced3 garlic cloves, minced¼ cup dry white wine ½ cup heavy cream 2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon 2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add spaghetti and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, then drain spaghetti and return it to pot.
  2. Meanwhile, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of shrimp to pan in single layer and cook until spotty brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining shrimp.
  3. Return now-empty skillet to medium-high heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and shallot, and cook until shallot is softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add wine, bring to boil, and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Stir in cream and reserved cooking water and bring to boil again. Off heat, stir in tarragon, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and shrimp. Add sauce to spaghetti and toss to coat. Serve.
Garlicky Shrimp Pasta with Tarragon

Garlicky Shrimp Pasta with Tarragon

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By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup dry white wine
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup dry white wine
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Ingredients

1 pound spaghetti
Salt and pepper
1 ½ pounds extra-large shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 shallot, minced
3 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup dry white wine
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Why This Recipe Works

Tarragon and lemon juice brighten this creamy pasta dish, and quick-cooking shrimp make it weeknight-friendly.

Instructions

  1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large pot. Add spaghetti and 1 tablespoon salt and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Reserve 1/4 cup cooking water, then drain spaghetti and return it to pot.
  2. Meanwhile, pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add half of shrimp to pan in single layer and cook until spotty brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer shrimp to plate and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Repeat with 1 tablespoon oil and remaining shrimp.
  3. Return now-empty skillet to medium-high heat, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and shallot, and cook until shallot is softened, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add wine, bring to boil, and cook until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Stir in cream and reserved cooking water and bring to boil again. Off heat, stir in tarragon, lemon juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and shrimp. Add sauce to spaghetti and toss to coat. Serve.

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