The great thing about orecchiette is that the “valleys” in the center usually trap flavor, making it easier to convey into your mouth. This pasta is chock full of flavor and spice – it’s got pancetta for richness and shrimp and pecorino romano for…well richness. The fresnos bring the perfect amount of heat and the fresh basil lends a licoricey sweetness. This is easy to make without much prep, just make sure you have all your ingredients ready to go stove-side, as it goes pretty fast. Be sure not to overcook your pasta, as it continues to cook after you’ve drained it and overcooked pasta is flimsy and mushy. The box or package will usually say “al dente in 10 minutes” or whatever, and we’ve found these times to be pretty accurate. You’re going to love this decadent, sauceless pasta.
Tips (unsponsored): We find our orecchiette at Trader Joe’s, as well as our grated pecorino romano. They carry 4 oz container of diced pancetta, but we prefer the one we find at our local Fry’s/Kroger store in the cheese case. We’ve also found Trader Joe’s to be the best place to buy fresh basil: it is a great price and you can buy the whole plant days in advance and pluck the leaves fresh, just in time to make your dish. The plants are in beautiful shape.
Have your kids help you pluck the basil leaves from the plant, taking note of the amazing smell. This will help them create a great memory with you in the kitchen and they will remember you fondly when they handle fresh basil leaves throughout their lives. Awe! As you prepare and eat this dish together with your family, teach them about some of the health benefits they are providing their bodies:
- Shrimp is a good source of copper, which strengthens your body tissue.
- Fresno chiles can help speed up your metabolism a bit, helping you have a healthy weight.
- Basil gives your body vitamin K, which help your blood clot correctly so you don’t bleed too much.
It seems that we have learned plenty of facts (for now) about Italy, so let’s learn a few things about Egypt and it’s people:
- Even though children are required to attend school for 6 years, many do not. Around half of the people cannot read. Aren’t you grateful to know how to read so you can learn things for yourself?
- Just like math class, children also study their religion in school, whether it’s Christian or Muslim.
- The most popular dish is seasoned fava beans, dating back to ancient times.
From: Orecchiette with Shrimp, Pancetta and Fresno Chiles
- Kosher salt
- 1 pound orecchiette
- 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 8 ounces pancetta, cut into medium dice
- 8 ounces large shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed, sliced lengthwise
- 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 small Fresno chile peppers, seeded and sliced into very thin rings
- ½ cup freshly grated pecorino romano ½ cup roughly chopped fresh green or purple basil leaves
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. When the water is thoroughly boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet or shallow Dutch oven over medium-low heat, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and cook the pancetta to render the fat and crisp it, about 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Pour off and discard all but 1 tablespoon fat from the skillet. Raise the heat to medium and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the shrimp, garlic and red pepper flakes. Stir quickly and often so the garlic does not burn, 2 minutes at the most; the shrimp should be slightly undercooked.
- Remove the shrimp to a warm bowl. Move the skillet off the heat. Drain the pasta, reserving about ½ cup pasta water. Add the hot pasta to the skillet or Dutch oven and return to medium heat. Add the pancetta, shrimp and reserved pasta water. Drizzle with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Toss and stir until the juices are combined and the shrimp is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the chile peppers, cheese and basil. Do not stir. Serve immediately, family-style.
