Wednesday 10 June 2009

Creamy seafood tagliatelle with asparagus

I have managed to achieve something that I never thought was possible. I've crammed so much into my freezer that there really is no more room. At all. It's completely my fault, whenever I see something that's reduced or on promotion I buy it and freeze it for later. The problem is I normally forget all about it then buy more stuff and freeze that too!

The freezer is stuffed with vegetables, meat, homemade stock, Ice cream, bread and a whole draw full of mysterious tubs, bags and packets that are unlabelled and I have no idea what they are!

My challenge this week is to run down the freezer to free up some space. Yesterday I made this creamy seafood tagliatelle using some frozen seafood mix (mussels, crayfish and prawns), I also used some fantastic fresh British asparagus which is optional but I really recommend it.
Considering the cream sauce this is a surprisingly light meal that's perfect for summer, great served with a glass of chilled white wine.

Recipe:(serves four)
Ingredients:
  • 350-400g tagliatelle or your favourite pasta
  • A bunch of fresh asparagus cooked and chopped into halves (optional)
  • 2 Small onions or shallots finely chopped
  • 2 Cloves of garlic crushed and chopped
  • A large glass of dry white wine
  • 150ml Sour cream
  • 500g mixed cooked seafood (mussels, prawns clams etc)
  • A good handful of chopped parsley
Method:
  • First bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and begin to cook the pasta according to the packet instructions.
  • While the pasta is cooking fry the onions and garlic with a good pinch of salt in some olive oil in a large frying pan until just softened.
  • Once the onions have softened tip in the white wine, turn up the heat and reduce the wine by half.
  • When the wine has reduced down add the cream and mix well, taste the sauce to check the seasoning and correct it if necessary.
  • Just before the pasta has cooked add the seafood, asparagus and parsley to the sauce, mix it well and leave for a minute to heat through.
  • Toss the pasta in the sauce and serve.

15 comments:

Hopie said...

The unmarked bags are the worst! I mean when you freeze it you think "of course, I know what this is", but later...

Looks like your putting your frozen food to good use! Love the fresh asparagus too.

Amanda said...

That looks lovely! I love freezer-found treasures... and I know what you mean about not having any more room. I'm about there myself.

Alicia Foodycat said...

Gorgeous! Where did you get that seafood mix? I've gone off my usual brand after 3 or 4 bags had gritty, uncleaned mussels in them.

Sam said...

Hopie: Tell me about it! I have loads of mystery bags and boxes that I have no idea what they are or what to do with them, it seems such a waste to just throw it away!

Amanda:I'm glad I'm not the only one that over stuffs their freezer!

Foodycat:I bought the fresh mixed seafood (not the frozen bags) and froze it myself. I got mine in Morrisons but I think all supermarkets have it, it's the Lyons brand one, you'll find it next to the prawns in the fridge section.

Beth (jamandcream) said...

I can sympathise with the freezer problem. Im trying to run mine down this week! Great dish

Anne said...

Looks delicious Sam!

I recently cleared the UFO's out of our freezer, am still not sure why I froze the juice from a mandarin tin....I still have lemon peel though...

A Girl Has to Eat said...

Looks good. Wont be long now till there's no more asparagus in season.

Maggie said...

I know what you mean about the freezer problem - if there's a space it gets filled.
You have come up with a delicious meal.

Anonymous said...

Give me creamy, wonderful pasta and I am a Happy Girl! This looks great! My freezer is full right now, too. Mostly with breads and stock. It will be soup and panzanella time soon!

Anonymous said...

We just did a clean out the fridge/freezer week in our house, too. I like how it forces you to be creative! :)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

Delicious Sam:D

Pam said...

Creamy and delicious without all the guilt. I love making meals like this that use up what I have on hand. It looks wonderful Sam.

gastroanthropologist said...

My new apartment has the tiniest freezer you've ever seen (especially by my skewed American standards) so I know what's exactly in my freezer.

Seafood and asparagus - delicious! From the freezer or not!

♥peachkins♥ said...

I was wanting to cook asparagus and I am on the look out for recipes with asparagus.Thanks for sharing!

test it comm said...

That is one nice looking pasta!