Cold pasta with shrimps and cherry tomatoes light is a light pasta salad with prawns.
A simple and tasty idea perfect even on the hottest days.
Shrimps, from prawns to small shrimps
For practicality, I often use prawns over small shrimps: peeling and cleaning a few prawns per person is definitely easier than peeling and cleaning a whole serving of small shrimps.
I chose to grill the prawns and cut them into pieces to then complete with red and yellow cherry tomatoes and fresh basil.
Cold pasta with shrimps and cherry tomatoes light is a one-dish meal as it concentrates the characteristics that distinguish a balanced meal in one course.
Light and perfect for summer.
Ideal for family meals, packed lunches, or at work.
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 10 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Boiling, Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole wheat penne
- prawns (at least 4 per person)
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 pinch mixed peppercorns (with grinder)
- 1 drizzle extra virgin olive oil (raw)
- as needed lemon juice
- as needed cherry tomatoes (yellow and red)
- basil (leaves)
Suggested Tools
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- 1 Toothpick
- Paper Towels
- Grill or Griddle
- Parchment Paper
Preparation
For step-by-step detailed procedure you can read the full tutorial by clicking the following link: How to clean prawns and langoustines.
If the prawns are frozen/thawed, let them thaw until they are soft to the touch: it will be easier to clean them without breaking.
Gently detach the heads from the bodies of the prawns and set them aside: they are perfect for making a prawns heads broth or a prawns sauce.
Shell the prawns.
With a sharp knife, make an incision along the back of the prawn and with a toothpick or the tip of the knife, extract the black string: intestine, its contents are not toxic but can ruin the dish:
Carefully rinse the shelled prawns under running water.
Let them drain.
Pat the residual water with a kitchen towel.Heat the grill pan – grill – ribbed plate.
Cut a sheet of parchment paper to the size of the grill pan – grill – ribbed plate – be careful not to let it protrude from the edges as it might burn.
Place the parchment paper on the hot grill pan – grill – ribbed plate.Place the shelled prawns on the parchment paper.
Grilled shelled prawns cook very quickly: as soon as they change color and curl slightly, they are ready.Move the grilled shelled prawns to a plate, wait until they are warm, and cut them into pieces.
Pour the grilled shelled prawns cut into pieces into a large bowl or salad bowl.
Season with a pinch of salt.
Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice in more or less the same amount, grind the pepper and mix.Cook the pasta al dente, rinse it abundantly under running water to cool it down and let it drain well.
Pour the pasta into the salad bowl with the prawns and mix.
Wash the tomatoes thoroughly.
Cut and remove the stem part if you deem it appropriate.
Cut each berry vertically dividing it in half or into four wedges.Add the cherry tomatoes to the pasta and prawns and mix.
Wash and dry the basil leaves by gently patting them with kitchen paper.
Plate.
Grind some pepper again and add the basil leaves.Your cold pasta with shrimps and cherry tomatoes light is ready.
Enjoy your meal!
Storage, Tips, and Variations
Use whole grain pasta to increase fiber content.
Shrimps, you can use from prawns to small shrimps.
I chose to grill the prawns, if you prefer you can boil or steam them.
The cold pasta can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 1 day, up to 2 days.
It is perfect to take out, in a thermal container or a cooler bag.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Shrimps in the Diet
Shrimps, from prawns to small shrimps, are crustaceans low in triglycerides but high in cholesterol and also contain a small amount of available carbohydrates.
For these reasons, they are not included in all diets.
In our food scheme, shrimps are present but classified as foods to be consumed occasionally.Can I use small shrimps instead of prawns?
Yes, they are fine.
Keep in mind that peeling them takes more time.Can I use frozen shrimps or prawns?
Yes.
Instead of small shrimps, I recommend using frozen shrimp tails: they release less water during cooking and do not become rubbery.Should the black string always be removed?
The black string is the prawn’s intestine.
Its contents are not toxic but can ruin the dish:
– it is unpleasant to look at and taste;
– it may contain sand or residues.
It’s better to remove it always.Can I prepare it in advance?
You can prepare it the night before for lunch the next day, even to take out.
