Old Bear's Linguine with Scallops in Red Sauce

 

The brilliant red tomato sauce, with a touch of spirit from red wine and crushed pepper, dresses up pasta with ease--a perfect setting for fresh scallops (or shrimp).  Choose a nice red wine that you will want to drink with the meal.

 

                  1    Tablespoon      olive oil

                  1    large               onion, chopped

           1 to 3    cloves             garlic, minced or pressed

              1/2    cup                 dry red wine, such as Zinfandel or Chianti

                  1    can                 chopped tomatoes in puree  (28 ounces)

                  2    teaspoons       dried basil

              1/2    teaspoon         crushed red pepper

                   --    --                     salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

                12    ounces            linguine  (12 ounces dry weight)

                  1    teaspoon         olive oil

              1/2    teaspoon         salt

 

              1 ¼    pounds            bay scallops or medium shrimp or fish

                                                 (if shrimp, they should be peeled,

                                                 deveined and coarsely chopped)

 

                   --    --                     shredded or grated parmesan cheese (optional)

 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Meanwhile, heat 1 Tablespoon of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat.  Add the onion and garlic and saute until soft, about 5 minutes.  Stir in the tomatoes in puree, the basil, and the crushed red pepper, return to a boil and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

 

Meanwhile add the remaining teaspoon of olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt to boiling water.  Stir in the linguine and cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente (about 10 minutes).

 

Add the scallops (or chopped shrimp) and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to the tomato mixture.  Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the shellfish is cooked through (about 2 minutes).  Taste the sauce for seasoning.

 

Drain the pasta and transfer to a large bowl.  Add the red sauce and toss well.  Divide the pasta and sauce among 4 dinner plates and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, if desired.

 

 

Adapted by The Old Bear <oldbear@arctos.com>

From:

Simply Seafood, Vol. 4, No. 1 (Winter 1994)

Waterfront Press Company

1115 NW 46th Street

Seatle, Washington 98107