Shrimp and Asparagus Pasta
Parmesan
A bright, elegant pasta dish featuring tender shrimp and crisp asparagus. Infused with natural shrimp oil and finished with nutty Parmesan for a rich, silky texture.
This shrimp and asparagus pasta is a perfect celebration of simple, high-quality ingredients. By utilizing the shrimp heads to create a deeply flavorful infused oil, we build a complex base that perfectly coats every strand of pasta. It is a sophisticated yet approachable dish that balances the freshness of spring asparagus with the savory, umami-rich depth of sautéed shrimp.
Ingredients
- 300 g black tiger shrimp
- 200 g pasta
- 150 g asparagus
- 3 cloves garlic
- 30 g Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- to taste Parmesan cheese for garnish
Instructions
- 1Prepare the pasta water
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a generous amount of salt and a drizzle of oil to the water. This ensures the pasta is seasoned from the inside out and helps prevent sticking.
Tip: The water should taste like the sea; salt is crucial for flavor. - 2Heat the pan
Place a small pan on the stove and heat it over medium heat. Add a small amount of avocado oil, swirling to coat the surface evenly.
Tip: Avocado oil has a high smoke point, making it perfect for searing shrimp. - 3Extract shrimp oil
Add the reserved shrimp heads to the heated oil. Stir-fry over medium-low heat, pressing down on the heads to release their flavorful juices and natural orange oil, then remove the heads from the pan.
Tip: Dont discard the heads! They contain the most concentrated shrimp flavor. - 4Sauté the asparagus
Add the prepared asparagus pieces to the pan with the infused shrimp oil. Sauté over low heat for approximately 1 minute until they begin to soften.
Tip: Keep the asparagus bright green by not overcooking it at this stage. - 5Add the shrimp
Introduce the peeled black tiger shrimp into the pan with the asparagus. Cook them together until the shrimp begin to turn opaque and change color.
Tip: Watch the color closely; shrimp cook very quickly and can become rubbery if overdone. - 6Aromatize with garlic
Add the minced garlic to the pan. Sauté until the garlic fragrance is released, being careful not to burn it.
Tip: Add garlic late in the cooking process to ensure it stays fragrant and avoids bitterness. - 7Combine pasta with aromatics
Once the garlic is fragrant, add the cooked pasta along with a splash of the reserved pasta water into the pan with the shrimp and asparagus. Toss everything together to combine the flavors thoroughly.
Tip: Adding a little pasta water helps create a light, cohesive sauce that clings to the noodles. - 8Finish with Parmesan
With the heat on high, sprinkle a generous amount of grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta. Stir continuously until the cheese has melted and emulsified into a creamy sauce coating the ingredients.
Tip: Stirring over high heat after adding the cheese ensures it melts evenly into the pasta water, creating a rich, silky texture.
