Shrimp Scampi Pasta with Bacon

I remember going to Denny's with my parents when I was younger and my dad always ordered Shrimp Scampi; this dish is inspired by that. I tried to recreate the scampi base and then added a few twists to make it my own. I have a feeling he would approve of this recipe with two thumbs up. This one is for you papa!!

 Tips:

Al dente' - Cook the pasta al dente'. You may have heard this term before; "al dente" is Italian and means "to the tooth" or "to the bite", because you need to chew the pasta a bit more.
Make some stock - Shrimp stock is very easy to make and enhances the flavor of this dish.

Shrimp shells + 1 cup water + 1 celery stalk + 1 garlic clove = STOCK

Add it to a pan, cover and bring it to a boil for 20 minutes and BINGO!

Double check the shrimp - Even if the shrimp package says "cleaned," I like to make sure that it is for sure cleaned; because I don't know about you, but I DO NOT want to cook what the shrimp had already eaten.

What you are looking for is that the vein in the back is removed (that is the shrimp's digestive tract). There is another "vein" located on inner curve of the shrimp that can be eaten (it is pretty much the shrimp's spinal cord), but I remove it anyways. Nothing that a paring knife and a quick shot of water can't take care of.

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes 

Servings: 4 cups (2 servings)

1 cup dry pasta (8 ounces)

1-2 Slices of bacon, cut into 1/2" pieces

1 Tablespoon butter

1 Tablespoon garlic

1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 cup shrimp or chicken stock

1/4 cup dry, white wine

1/4 cup milk or half-and-half

12 raw shrimp (6 ounces), cleaned, de-veined 

Fresh basil (to garnish)

Directions:

1) In a large pot, cook pasta al dente' according to box. Drain and set aside.

2) In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until brown and crisp (about 5 minutes). 

3) Remove the bacon from the pan and transfer to a plate lined with paper towel.

4) Keep bacon drippings in the pan, and add 1 Tablespoon of butter.

5) When the butter has melted, add garlic, pepper flakes and parsley flakes. Cook for 2 minutes.

6) Add to the pan lemon juice, stock, white wine, and milk. Stir until combined.

7) Carefully add in shrimp and cook for 3-5 minutes or until the shrimp is bright red and begins to curl.

8) Add the pasta and bacon to the pan and toss all of the ingredients together. 

9) Remove the pan from the heat and allow the pasta to absorb some of the sauce. Serve warm and garnish with basil.