Starting the week off right

Okay, so we've all been to the Olive Garden.  What's better than a Tuscan dining room with a tablecloth on which you can play a game of Hangman? Marilyn Hagerty  agrees with me. 

Thing:
_ A L_OR_E  B_MB

With several entrees over 1000 calories per serving, this place is loaded with calorie bombs. Pasta is a great comfort food, so here's a version that's filling, but won't put you into a carb coma.

Shrimp Primavera

-1 lb uncooked shrimp (I chose the medium sized shrimp- 21-30 to a bag), thawed, peeled
-1 box whole wheat linguini
-1 8-oz block 1/3rd fat cream cheese (Neufchatel cheese)
-3-4 cups broccoli cut into chunky florets
-1 large onion, chopped
-3 carrots, thickly grated (I just take the peeler and go up and down the carrot to "shave" it)
-2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes

1. In a large stockpot, bring water to a boil.  Add linguini and cook for 5 minutes.  Add broccoli and cook for another 3 minutes.  Reserve 2 cups of pasta water; drain in a large colander.
2. In a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, melt butter and add onion.  Saute for about 5 minutes, or until starting to slightly brown.  Add shrimp and carrot.  Cook for another 5 minutes.  Add cream cheese and reserved pasta water; stir until melted.  Add linguini & broccoli and crushed red pepper; stir until sauce has thickened and all the cheese is melted.

 Use this recipe as a reason to clean out your veggie drawer- spinach, peppers, zucchini, or mushrooms would all be good additions. 

Makes 8 servings.  Per serving: 440 calories, 44 g carbs, 12 g fat, 34 g protein, 7 g fiber.

Adjective that describes this dinner:
AW_S_ME