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Spicy Pesto Shrimp Primavera is a restaurant-inspired, mildly spicy, hugely flavorful Shrimp dish with red bell peppers, asparagus, and spinach with a Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto with Parmesan cheese.
It was not Hawaii, but for us, it was a couple of hours in paradise! What am I talking about? I’m referring to an incredible dinner out with just my husband and me to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.
We had always said that we wanted to go to Hawaii for our 25th wedding anniversary. Neither of us has ever been there, and our work schedules usually prevented us from going previously. However, our 25th wedding anniversary seemed to like the perfect time to plan a trip to Hawaii!
We did not have an extravagant honeymoon. We did manage to visit Disney World on a budget, thanks to some family members helping us out. However, our “deal” we got on the off-site hotel was more like the dumpster dive hotel. Their “continental” breakfast consisted of a hard, stale dinner roll with some butter. So we skipped that and went to a fast food restaurant for breakfast because that was a vast improvement over the hotel’s breakfast.
Even with the roach hotel, we truly enjoyed visiting Disney World and escaping everyday life for a week!
However, Mr. Flavor Mosaic has always wanted to take me on a nice romantic vacation to make up for that roach motel we stayed at on our honeymoon. Hawaii was the place we dreamed about for our 25th anniversary. We were saving our money and planning the trip, but life had other plans.
When you are young, you think your parents will always be there. It is a shock when you finally realize they can’t live alone anymore. For the past few years we have been taking care of our elderly parents: first my Mom, and now Mr. Flavor Mosaic’s Mom. For the last month or so we have been staying with my Mother-in-Law while she is recovering from a successful heart surgery. However, she has dementia and can’t live alone. As an only child, the responsibility for making decisions on her care falls on Mr. Flavor Mosaic. After evaluating all options, the best one was that we stay with her, at least for now. Frankly, I could write a whole new blog just on caring for our aging parents.
As 24/7 caregivers, we are very thankful for our friends who help us out by staying with my Mother-in-Law while we take a break for a few hours. This allowed us to go out to a very nice restaurant on our 25th anniversary and enjoy some wine, and a delicious gourmet dinner. It was awesome!
One dish that stood out was a Spicy Shrimp dish with a light pesto sauce, served with a medley of sautéed vegetables including asparagus, broccoli, and spinach, over a rice pilaf. Mr. Flavor Mosaic actually ordered it, but I managed to convince him to switch entrees so I could eat it. It was amazingly awesome, and healthy!
I knew I had to make a variation of this incredible Spicy Pesto Shrimp Primavera at home. And it ended up being easy, fast, and delicious. You can serve it over rice or pasta.
I recommend pairing this Spicy Pesto Shrimp Primavera dish with a glass of Gallo Family Vineyard’s Chardonnay. With hints of citrus and vanilla, and oak, you will love this medium-bodied Chardonnay with the spicy Pesto Shrimp Primavera.
Another one of Gallo Family Vineyards’ wines that I love is their Merlot.
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Recipe
Ingredients
Spicy Shrimp Primavera
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 large clove garlic minced
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 shallot minced
- 1/2 red sweet bell pepper chopped
- 1 cup fresh cooked asparagus chopped
- 2 cups fresh baby Spinach leaves
- 1/4 cup Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
- 2 tablespoons freshly grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium high heat, add oil. Sprinkle shrimp with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Add garlic to the skillet and cook for about one minute.
- Add the shrimp and toss to coat in the oil. Squeeze the lemon over the shrimp. Allow the shrimp to cook until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is no longer transparent in the center, approximately 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove shrimp. Set aside.
- Add the shallots and the red bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes. Add fresh spinach and cook for about 2 or 3 minutes until the spinach is wilted. Add the asparagus and stir.
- Add the shrimp back. Pour the Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto over the shrimp and vegetables. Toss to coat. Serve over rice or pasta.
Compensation was provided by Gallo Family Vineyards via Sunday Supper, LLC. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author, and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Gallo Family Vineyards.
Renee says
I’ve printed the recipe already and can’t wait to make it soon. This is totally my kind of shrimp dish.
Michele says
We loved it! I think it tasted better than the restaurant recipes that inspired it. We had it for 3 meals in a row!
Nichole says
I’m sorry you haven’t made it to Hawaii yet – our fifth wedding anniversary is next year and for whatever reason I thought when we got married, that A) Five years was so far away (ohh but time flies!) and B) That we could maybe celebrate 5 years in Hawaii – but sadly I don’t think we’ll have the funds in a year! I think this dish looks perfect though, and now you can re-create it for new anniversary memories 🙂
Michele says
Nichole, when I got married, 25 years seemed like an eternity! Now I can’t believe how fast the years fly by. Be sure to celebrate the milestones!
Liz says
Belated anniversary wishes, Michele! It sounds like you had a cozy celebration which is just perfect. As is your pesto shrimp–it sounds spectacular!
Michele says
Thank you Liz! It was a very nice celebration! This dish is now a family favorite!
Family Foodie says
What an amazing dish with gorgeous colors!
Michele says
Thank you! It makes a delicious, impressive dish.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
What a great recipe! I love all of the flavors you have going on!
Michele says
Thank you!
Marion@Life Tastes Good says
Happy anniversary to you and Mr. F! I’m sorry your trip to Hawaii didn’t work (for now), but I’m sure you’ll get there someday. Your dish sounds delish, as always, Michele! I look forward to trying it. The veggies in this are calling my name!! yummmm and bless you for taking care of your mother-in-law. I know that is not easy. Remember to take care of yourself as well <3
Michele says
Thank you!
Wendy (The Weekend Gourmet) says
This shrimp dish is gorgeous…drool!
Michele says
Thank you!
Valerie says
I want a bite of that NOW! And a glass of wine too!
Michele says
Me too!
Catherine says
Dear Michele, Happy Anniversary. I am sorry to hear that you have not been able to get to Hawaii yet. Like you said life has other plans, but thank goodness for such kind friends. I hope you had a wonderful dinner out. I must say though, this dish is wonderful. I love spicy. Take care dear, Catherine xo
Michele says
Thank you!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
So many amazing flavors and colors and textures going on here!
Michele says
Thank you!
Alida says
What a gorgeous dish! It looks so delicious!
Michele says
Thank you!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
Oh how I love this dish. From the shrimp, to the spices, to the asparagus, to the spinach, and beyond. This is my kind of dinner!!!
Michele says
It is our kind of dinner too!
Bobbi's Kozy Kitchen says
I am so sorry you haven’t made it to Hawaii yet. I have always wanted to go 🙂 I am in love with this shrimp dish though WOW it looks so good!!
Michele says
Thank you!
Serena | Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
I hope you can make it to Hawaii soon but I’m so glad you were able to celebrate your anniversary anyways and had help! This dish looks fabulous!
Michele says
Thank you!
Shaina says
What a gorgeous plate of food. I love all of the veggies you used here, and especially love anything with pesto!
Michele says
Thank you!