Dinner: Pasta Shells with Shrimp and Garlicky Bread Crumbs

Parmesan and a lemon anchovy dressing coat shells, shrimp, and curly endive for a pasta salad that's second cousin to a shrimp Caesar. Instead of big croutons, sautéed bread crumbs make a crisp topping.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Lemon

Health benefits of Pasta Shells with Shrimp and Garlicky Bread Crumbs

Lemons can help to prevent oxidative damage to the body, which women with PCOS are often susceptible to. Lemons are also rich in vitamin C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. They can potentially support the immune system and have other health benefits. Lemons also have a low glycemic index, so they should not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar when consumed in natural form.

Ingredients

2 tbsp. plus 1/2 cup olive oil
1 1/2 c. fresh bread crumbs
2 cloves garlic
salt
fresh-ground black pepper
3/4 lb. medium pasta shells
1 lb. large shrimp
3 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. anchovy paste
3/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 oz. shredded curly endive (about 2 1/2 cups)
1/3 c. plus 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan

Instructions

In a medium nonstick frying pan, heat the 2 tablespoons oil over moderate heat. Add the bread crumbs, garlic, and 1/8 teaspoon each of salt and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, about 5 minutes.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta shells until almost done, about 10 minutes. Add the shrimp to the pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until both the shrimp and the pasta shells are done, 2 to 3 minutes longer. Drain thoroughly.
In a large glass or stainless-steel bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, anchovy paste, Worcestershire sauce, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Add the remaining 1/2 cup oil slowly, whisking.
Add the pasta and shrimp, the curly endive, and the 1/3 cup Parmesan to the dressing and toss. Serve the salad warm or at room temperature, topped with the garlic bread crumbs and the remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan.
Wine Recommendation: There's a reason pinot grigio is so popular: It goes well with multiply strongly flavored food such as this. Full-bodied, yet fresh and tart, pinot grigio works with salads; its soft apple and nut notes are perfect foils for garlic and Parmesan.