A Dinner to Consider

I'm no chef. Not even a competent cook. But I'm the person mainly in charge of planning and cooking our meals. So, when I come across something that is:

a) Easy for me to pull together
b) Requires little or no planning
c) Can accommodate multiple substitutions
d) Inexpensive
e) Eaten by all the males in my family

... I pass it along.

Here's a dinner to consider, with the substitutions I had to go with tonight.

Sausage with Shrimp and Pasta Shells, Favorite Recipes The Costco Way
5 links hot or sweet Italian sausage, cut into thirds (I used a big smoked sausage)
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
12-16 ounces raw medium shrimp, deveined (I used mushrooms)
salt and pepper
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup canned chicken broth (I did not use wine and did use 1 cup of chicken broth)
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, shredded
1 pound medium past shells, cooked al dente and drained (I used small penne)
4 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted ( used a 1/2 cup and I did not toast them)
grated parmesan or romano cheese (I used asiago)

1. In a large heavy-bottom saute pa, cook sausage in 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat until well browned but still slightly undercooked at the center. Remove sausage and reserve in a warm place.
2. Add garlic to the pan and cook, stirring, until pale gold, taking care not to burn.
3. Add shrimp and salt and pepper to taste. Stir-fry until shrimp turn pink and are almost cooked through, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Remove the pan from the heat and add wine and broth.
5. Return the pan to the heat and boil until almost dry and the shrimp are cooked. (I reduced the stock and then sprinkled a scant amount of cornstarch in.)
6. Ad reserved sausage and its juices, basil and cooked pasta.
7. Toss al ingredients together and heat through. season to taste with salt and pepper.
8. Drizzle with remaining olive oil. Serve sprinkled with pine nuts and grated cheese to taste. Makes 3-4 servings.

Good luck and enjoy.