Ingredients
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to culinary success. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 12 ounces of fettuccine pasta
- 1 pound of mixed seafood (shrimp, scallops, and mussels work beautifully)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup dry white wine
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped parsley for garnish
If you can’t find all the seafood varieties, feel free to substitute with your favorites. This dish is flexible and forgiving, much like my abuela’s recipes that used what was available in the pantry.
Instructions
Cooking this dish is a delightful process. Follow these steps for a perfect result:
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the fettuccine according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- Add the mixed seafood to the skillet. Cook until the shrimp turns pink and the scallops are opaque, about 4-5 minutes.
- Pour in the white wine, stirring to deglaze the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes to allow the alcohol to evaporate.
- Reduce the heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Allow it to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Add the Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously until the cheese melts and the sauce becomes smooth and creamy.
- Season with salt, pepper, and lemon zest. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to coat the pasta with the creamy sauce.
- Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy the dish warm, perhaps with a slice of crusty bread to mop up any remaining sauce.
Remember, cooking is as much about intuition as it is about following instructions. Feel free to adjust spices and flavors to match your personal preference, just as my grandmother did.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International