Tuscan Shrimp with White Beans

This recipe is from Michael Chiarello. I watched him make this on the Food Network.  It looked pretty easy, so I gave it a try a couple of times before doing this post.  This is just delicious!  The ingredients are readily available, you probably have most on hand.  I am lucky right now because I have fresh basil, parsley, tomatoes and hot peppers growing in the garden.

I made a recipe for two tonight (half this recipe), but here's the whole recipe from Michael:

3 Cups Cannelloni white beans
1/4 Cup plus 2 Tbl. extra-virgin olive oil
16 large shrimp, peeled (tail left on) and deveined
4 cloves garlic, sliced
1 small jalapeno chili, diced
1 Cup whole basil leaves (no substitutions)
1 Cup peeled, seeded, diced fresh tomato
1 Tbl. lemon juice
2 Tbl. Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Best quality extra-virgin olive oil for drizzilng

1)  Have you tried or ever made fried basil?  This is so amazing!  Toss the whole basil leaves in some warm olive oil.  When it's crispy and crackling, take it out of the oil--quickly!  Also, please stand back, the basil will pop!

2)  Drain the white beans over a bowl, saving the liquid.  Put the beans in a skillet adding just enough of their liquid to moisten them.  Add 2 Tbl. of the olive oil and bring the beans to a simmer.  Keep them warm while you prepare the rest of the dish.

3) Heat 1/4 Cup oil in a large skillet.  Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper cook for 1 minute, tossing frequently.  Remove the shrimp to a bowl.  Add the garlic to the pan and saute, add the minced jalapeno, cook for 1 minute.  Add the tomato, stir briefly, add the shrimp and lemon juice.  Here are the individual ingredients before tossing together.

4) Spoon the white beans on a platter or individual plates, drizzle with the best olive oil you have, top with the shrimp/tomato mixture, place fried basil on the side -- to eat of course!

This is fresh, delicious, healthy, etc. etc.  Enjoy friends!