Christmas Scampi

Merry Christmas dinner was fun and quick with this easy festive scampi dish.
1/2 lb angel hair pasta
2 doz shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 Tbsp butter plus 1 Tbsp olive oil
1 red pepper, sliced
1 shallot, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 Tbsp capers, drained
1 Tbsp fresh lemon thyme

4 cups broccoli floweretts
juice of half a lemon
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 green onions, sliced

Bring 2 quarts water to a boil in a pot. Salt generously and add the pasta. Cook pasta to only just al dente. Drain and return to pot off off the heat. Add a dash of canola oil, cover to keep warm.

While the pasta cooks, melt the butter in the oil in a large skillet. Add the red pepper and shallot and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, capers and thyme and cook another 2-3 minutes. Set peppers aside in a bowl and add the wine to the skillet. Bring to a boil and reduce by half. Add the chicken broth and the shrimp and simmer for about 3-4 minutes.

While the shrimp cooks, place the broccoli in a shallow casserole with 2 tablespoons water. Season with salt, cover and microwave for 3-4 minutes, until only just crisp-tender. Drain and add broccoli to the shrimp along with the reserved red pepper. Add the lemon juice and mix well.

Toss the pasta into a serving bowl and top with the shrimp mixture. Garnish with the green onion.

Serves 4.