This shrimp scampi in coconut rum sauce with linguine is perfect for a thirty-minute meal. A restaurant quality meal, right at home!
HAPPY APRIL!!! Happy Easter!!
My last few months were all in fast forward motion, with one deadline after another, and one project after another… The book release was a huge relief. A sense of a huge responsibility went off my shoulder, replaced by a sense of happiness, contentment, and accomplishment. Masala and Meatballs is doing well, thanks to all of you. Very little things happen overnight, but what’s the fun in that anyway? The excitement is in the anticipation, the work and that time which brings pleasure in ticking off all the boxes. It is the journey that matters, not the destination.
After a beautiful launch party, book signings, and a few other events later, I felt the need to take a breather.
The winter blues grew, as I walked in the hills with cold winds, with only a little sun warming us. As much as I am a fan of the new and exciting, I adore the familiar. So instead of taking a vacation to a new spot, I took a trip to India right into the arms of my parents.
What a glorious trip it was!!
Mum and I took a mini trip to Mangalore, and we stayed at this gorgeous home surrounded by nature. The early morning fog was deceiving; it was like walking into a warm humid oven. The warmth and the humidity made my hair turn up its volume. After the second day, I ditched the makeup, and put my hair up in a bun. We chucked our longer pants in favor of cotton shorts and t-shirts. We walked and enjoyed the lovely food of Mangalore, and always debated on the ingredients that went into that particular dish. After our mini-trip, we got back to Bangalore and all I did (or wanted to do) was sleep, watch movies, cook together, and visit those treasured spots. I walked arm in arm with my loved ones (family and friends) all day, with our bellies full and hearts happy.
In the midst of my three-week vacation to Bangalore, I took a mini-vacation from my vacation with my blogger friend, which was a big highlight of the trip. A trip that was on the rocks. An emergency was declared in a small town that we were about to visit. However, no emergency could’ve stopped us from going. It was meant to be. We visited Sri Lanka, a small little island with a big heart. With little to no agenda for the next three days, we strolled and ate our way through Sri Lanka. We drove around aimlessly, stopping by many small stores, buying chochkees. It felt alive and vibrant, full of history, small bars, cafes, and filled to the brim with alluring boutiques that tempted at every turn. Our bellies yearned for rustic home-cooked Sri Lankan food, and we drove hours and walked to find some of the best restaurants, coming out stuffed and elated. I am a simple girl with simple needs, and it was awesome to go with some who felt the same way and finished my sentences.
Travel makes you alive, they say. It truly does. I came back rejuvenated. A simple lone time… a little break is always needed. We need diversity, we need strangers that become friends, and we need to feel connected.
Here’s a simple shrimp pasta dish that I like to whip up when I only have a little time, but I want to impress my family. This shrimp scampi, in coconut rum sauce with linguine, is a deliciously simple dish that will impress anyone. Add any herbs you like, any pasta you like, and be generous with your butter, wine, or, in this case, coconut rum, and you are on your way to an impressive meal.
*Please do tag me on Instagram @foodfashionparty if you make this, using the hashtag #foodfashionparty. Check out my book MASALA AND MEATBALLS.
Stay in touch for more delicious food on Instagram and Pinterest. Follow on Snapchat (@ashfoodfashion) for daily doses of food.*
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 6- 8 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, leaving the tails
- ½ tsp chili flakes
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ tsp kosher or sea salt
- ⅓ cup coconut rum
- Juice of ½ lemon
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- Mint or cilantro to garnish
- 8 oz linguine pasta, cooked to al dente
- In a flat bottomed pan, add the olive oil and butter. Let it melt.
- On medium heat, add the garlic and saute for a minute until very lightly brown. Add the oregano, chili flakes and saute for a minute. Add the shrimp and let it cook for 2 minutes on each side. Sprinkle some salt. Add the coconut rum and let it simmer and cook 3 minutes or until the alcohol is cooked off. Turn off the heat, add the pepper and lemon juice. Toss in the pasta and top with mint or cilantro.
- Serve immediately.
Traci | Vanilla And Bean
Indeed a break was needed… you’ve accomplished so much and have been working so hard. Sometimes going to a familiar place is more comforting than traveling to new places. Your trip looked like so much fun (stories) and while active, relaxing. Simple pasta dish? It looks amazing, Ash! SO beautifully captured and such delightful flavors. xo
Asha Shivakumar
Thank you Traci, feels very refreshing. I’m so glad yo saw and enjoyed it, it was amazing.
You are very kind, thanks again.
xo
Angie@Angie's Recipes
Great that you had a relaxing and wonderful time with your family! And welcome back!
The pasta with those succulent scampi look fantastic!
Asha Shivakumar
Thanks Angie. HOpe you are doing well.
xo
Little Cooking Tips
First of all, what’s not to like in this quick, versatile and delicious recipe?:) Pinned(of course)!:)
It’s been a while since our last visit, and we’re so thrilled that your book goes well, you totally deserve it dear Ash!
This trip and they way you describe it sound so enticing! We wish one day we’ll be able to visit India (in which case we’ll flood your inbox with DMs lol)!
We are really so happy for you! Honestly!
Sending you our love,
Mirella and Panos
Asha Shivakumar
This made me smile. Thanks so much for stopping by and for your every loving support. In all honesty, I’d love to be in India when you’ll visit and take you around, it would be my pleasure. We are planning our summer trip and Greece is on the list and we still have to decide.
Thanks again for all the love and support, you know how blessed I feel to have you both in my life.
xo
Luul
This looks delicious! I was wondering what I could substitute the alcohol for? Could I just make it without Orr?
Thank you!
Asha Shivakumar
You most definitely can swap the alcohol for vegetable or seafood stock.
Sorry for the delayed response.
xx