She Strengthens

Elevate Your Dining Experience with a Decadent Seafood Pasta

Impress your friends and family with a mouthwatering seafood pasta dish that’s sure to become a favorite. This recipe yields one large serving or two small servings and requires about two hours of preparation time.

Selecting the Freshest Ingredients

For this recipe, you’ll need:

• 250 grams of raw prawns or crayfish (lobster) with shells
• 500 ml of water
• 2 large lemon and/or lime rind peelings
• 2 tsp of Thyme or 4 sprigs of fresh thyme
• 3 kaffir lime leaves (or bay leaves if you don’t live in New Zealand)
• Juice of half a lemon and/or lime
• Salt and pepper
• Flour
• Butter (not margarine)
• 1/2 cup of regular or light milk
• Fresh basil
• Pasta (up to 500 grams)
• Parmesan cheese
• 3 pinches of a thickener (like cornflour)

Preparing the Seafood

To prepare prawns, separate the meat from the heads and shells, saving both for later use. For crayfish, cook them first by boiling, then remove the edible white meat from the claws, legs, and tail.

Creating the Bisque

Combine the shells of the prawns or crayfish with water, lemon/lime rind, lemon/lime juice, thyme, kaffir lime leaves, and salt and pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer until the liquid has reduced by half. Strain the mixture into a bowl, reserving a cup to reduce further for the sauce.

Crafting the Sauce

In a separate saucepan, create a basic roux by melting butter, then adding flour and whisking continuously. Gradually add the reduced bisque and milk, whisking until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and continue whisking for another half minute.

Assembling the Dish

Cook the pasta according to package instructions, then drain and mix with the seafood sauce, fresh basil, and cooked prawns or crayfish meat. Serve with grated parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to taste.

Tips and Variations

• Use fresh and high-quality ingredients to ensure the best flavor.
• Experiment with different types of pasta and seafood combinations to create your own signature dish.
• Store leftover bisque in the freezer for future meals.

Indulge in this rich and flavorful seafood pasta, perfect for special occasions or a cozy night in.