Shrimp and Pasta

• Shrimp is best served as an ingredient in a dish with other components rather than as a stand-alone fish. Pasta makes a great base for shrimp dishes, because a serving of shrimp by itself isn't filling. Saute peeled and deveined shrimp in olive oil with garlic and herbs -- add a pat of butter for richness, if you like -- and serve over angel hair pasta. For a heartier sauce, cook shrimp with diced tomato, green pepper, garlic, onion and herbs. Stir in a little red wine, tomato paste and a dash of red pepper before serving.
  
  

Shrimp Stir Fry

• Shrimp works well in a stir-fry because it cooks quickly -- but don't overcook it. Add 2 tbsp. of vegetable oil to a very hot wok and stir-fry the shrimp until they just turn opaque. Remove the shrimp and set them aside as you stir-fry the vegetables. Veggies and shrimp cook at different rates, so don't try to cook them together. When your vegetables are stir-fried, add the cooked shrimp and toss with a prepared stir-fry sauce or little rice wine, low-sodium soy sauce and about 1 tbsp. of cornstarch. Serve with rice.
  
  

Shrimp Etouffee

• Don't let the French name intimidate you. This Cajun dish, like a stew without the long stewing, takes only about 30 minutes if you start with peeled and deveined shrimp. Heat 1/4 cup of oil in a heavy pot and stir in the same amount of flour. Cook the flour/oil mixture over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, until it starts to brown. Add chopped vegetables and garlic and saute until soft, then add 2 cups of shrimp, clam or vegetable stock to the pot. Add creole seasonings and your shrimp and simmer until the shrimp is cooked through. Serve with rice.
  
  

Shrimp Curry

• Shrimp and curry are a common combination in Thailand, where the curry is often coconut-based. You can use shrimp in any curry recipe in place of chicken, just reduce the cooking time accordingly. For a Thai-style curry, saute onion with a little salt, sugar and curry spices, then add diluted coconut milk and simmer until thickened. Add the shrimp and continue to simmer until the shrimp is cooked through. Serve with rice.