Whipping Cream is one of my off-again, on-again lovers. When it has been awhile I am confident that I don’t want it, that things are better off without heavy sauces and the tell-tale jiggle on my hips. But then, when I try it again I tend to get swept up in it’s easy richness and can’t seem to imagine life without it.
The last time I was hooked I made a rigatoni with sausage and cream, a fusilli with pistachios and cream, and a linguine with mushrooms, ham, and cream. Then last week I made that creamy eggplant linguine and down the rabbit hole I went. Maybe it is because it is rainy, or I have been sick, but comfort food is a requirement in my life right now and Mr. Whipping Cream fills that void.
Should I start apologizing to your hips too? I am sorry if I am bringing you down with me, but it is a soft, velvety, embrace to fall into isn’t it? This roasted red pepper cream sauce may be the end for awhile or it might be just the beginning. What do you think, are cream sauce a cheater’s way to make anything taste good, or simply tasty food?
Roasted Red Pepper, Shrimp and Sausage Linguine
(serves 2)
First you need to roast the red peppers, this is what takes the most time. Char the peppers until they are nice and black on all sides and on the bottom. You can do this on a barbecue, over a gas burner directly, or under the broiler. As soon as they have charred move them to a bowl and cover with saran wrap or place and seal inside a ziploc bag. The steam produced will make them easier to peel. Allow them to cool until you can handle them. Peel and discard all skin, seeds, and stem. Keep any juices and flesh and chop into small pieces, set aside.
Remove the shells from prawns and remove the vein. Chop into bite sized pieces and set aside. Prep chorizo by cutting it in half lengthwise and then into half moons about 1/4" thick. Bring a pot of water to a boil and add a heaping spoonful of salt.
Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat. Sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper on the shrimp. Add olive oil to the skillet and add prawns. Saute the prawns for about 2 minutes, or until just pink depending on size. Don't overcook them, they will get cooked a little more later. Remove from skillet. Reduce heat to medium low and add onion. Sweat the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add garlic, chillies, and chorizo and sweat for a few minutes, or until garlic is fragrant and chorizo starts releasing it's oils.
Add pasta to pasta water and cook according to package directions. Add red pepper to garlic and simmer for 5 minutes. Add cream to red pepper and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer sauce for another 5 minutes or until thickened, stir regularly. Drain pasta when ready. Taste sauce for seasoning and add salt and pepper. Stir in parsley and then cooked pasta. Serve hot sprinkled with grated cheese
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Hips won’t lie…they’re loving this recipe. I love creamy simple pastas like this.
Lovely dish and an attractive blog
Belinda – that is the problem isn’t it?
Priyanka – thanks and welcome.
looks lovely … I may make this for my husband tomorrow – a combination welcome home and happy birthday! whipping cream is fit for a two-celebration dinner … love it!
Kate – let me know how it goes! I like the idea of a welcome home.
Oh my God, that looks incredible! Yeah, I’m gonna make it this weekend.
It’s not just the calories from the cream, though. It’s also all of the calories from the glasses of wine I have to drink while cooking and eating! So worth it!
@Devon – it is worth it, and yes most definitely add a glass of wine. Or two.
The recipe sounds wonderful, but the last paragraph does not make sense to me. Are you supposed to boil the pasta and then reserve some of the liquid to make the sauce? Have you left out that step?
@Gerry – sorry if it wasn’t clear. I think it may have been unclear that you had two things cooking at once at the end, the sauce and the pasta. I hope my edits have improved it?