Shrimp Pesto Pasta and Bruschetta Recipe + Contadina Giveaway

I'm not a full-time food blogger and nope, I'm not an expert in the kitchen but I do manage to cook a dinner every so often. Also, I never had the nerve to say things like: “I'm a good cook. You can cook too! It’s so easy.” Well, that's because I don't really have much time to cook so yeah, you can pin me against a wall, and say: “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”


However, things changed dramatically when I received this Contadina Holiday package. I decided to prepare something new for the whole fambam and Pesto is the star of the week. This time, all over pasta, cheese and crostini. I also made a killer pesto salad, but maybe I’ll write about that in another post. Yes, I’ll try to keep writing food posts. (I promise!)



It's super easy to put together a delicious holiday recipe when you have the finest quality ingredients from Contadina. With Contadina Pesto alla Genovese, I don't need to buy all the ingredients and whiz 'em all up in a blender. This pesto sauce is ready to cook, made from freshly-picked Italian basil, Grana Padano cheese, cashew and pine nuts.


Oh, and I owe a huge apology to all of you hard-working moms who I’ve shamed over the years for not having the time to lift a spoon and cook a dinner for the family after 8 hours of work. Trust me, now, I get it. Seriously, it ain't that hard to cook. You just need to find the recipe in Google and buy the best products available in the market.

Having said that, I'm glad that Contadina (my sanity saver) has a wide range of premium products known for its authentic Mediterranean heritage. Each product is unmatched in quality, fragrance and flavor. It aims to bring simplicity, authenticity, and passion to every home cook's kitchen, including mine.


Using the Contadina Spaghetti, Contadina Pesto and Contadina Pure Olive Oil, I was able to cook a tasty Shrimp Pesto pasta. I took it to the other side of the Mediterranean, spicing it up with a bit of twist! I replaced the usual chicken with shrimp and I guess I'm a little weird because I don't like mixing the pasta and shrimps together so I put them on top instead. Aside from sauteed shrimps, you can either boil or grill the shrimps. The result? A creamy and flavorful take on a Pesto dish, topped with shrimps and dressed up with strong herbs and spices.

Ingredients

1 pack Contadina Spaghetti (500g) (cooked)
1 1/4 pounds peeled large shrimp
1/2 cup chicken stock
Contadina Pure Olive Oil
1 bottle Contadina Pesto alla Genovese
1 cup all-purpose cream
1/4 cup fresh Parmesan cheese
garlic and butter (for the shrimps)
Parsley (optional)
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, then drain.

2. While pasta cooks, put Contadina Pure Olive Oil and a bit of butter and garlic in saute pan over high heat. Next, add the shrimp and reduce the heat to medium. Other option: You can bring 3 cups water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add shrimp; cook 2 to 3 minutes or until done. Drain shrimp.
3. In a pan, stir in pasta and pesto. Mix chicken stock and remaining pesto sauce. Simmer. Add cream off the heat and cooked pasta. Serve with shrimp. Top with cheese. Garnish with parsley or basil, if desired.


What else did I make? Bruschetta! Who doesn’t love Bruschetta? Btw, it is pronounced "broo-SKEH-tah". It's super easy to prepare and you can make it with just about any kind of cheese and toppings you have.



Bruschetta with Pesto and Tomato

Ingredients

1 can Contadina Diced Tomatoes with Italian Herbs  (411g) (drained)
1 bottle Contadina Pesto alla Genovese
1/2 cup basil, fresh (shredded)
1 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 1/2 cup feta cheese
crostinis
 salt, to taste
 pepper, to taste

Directions

Drizzle each crostini with Contadina Extra Virgin Olive Oil and then season with salt and pepper.
Top with Contadina Diced Tomatoes with Italian Herbs, Contadina Pesto alla Genovese  and feta cheese. Toast.
Garnish with basil. Serve.


Again, (and still) I'm no expert in the kitchen but I'm learning more each day. I'm glad my daughter gave me two thumbs up and 5 star rating for both pasta and bruschetta. She loved them! Can you believe that? Glad I'm able to cook for my family especially my hubby who really appreciates it (and who’ll be forced to do the dishes). Also, I love the recipes at Contadina's website, and mostly the one pot/pan meals which are great, for minimal cleanup. Right, dad? So thanks, Contadina. Now, in an emergency, I can make pasta and feed a family. Or two. Either way, I’m glad to know how.

Now, who wants to try these Contadina products? I'd like to spread the love because it’s Christmas, and the perfect time for a giveaway! Yay! To join, here are the things you need to do;

Follow Contadina on Facebook.
Follow Rockstarmomma on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Share this blog post on Facebook with the hashtag #RockstarmommaxContadina.
Leave a comment below and let me know what dish and Contadina product you want to try soon.

That's it! Easy peasy. Enter via the Rafflecopter widget below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

One lucky reader will win a Contadina holiday package. The winner will be randomly chosen. This giveaway is open to Metro Manila residents only and will run until Dec. 31, 2016. The winner needs to be able to pick up the goodies from the Makati office in January. Good luck!

To know more about Contadina, you can visit their website at http://www.contadina.com.ph.


 

17 comments

  1. i want to try kaldereta using Contadina tomato sauce :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. would love to try the formaggio pasta sauce to make spaghetti

    ReplyDelete
  3. I like to try your Bruschetta with Pesto and Tomato recipe!

    Maria Christina Gumatay
    istin_21@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would love and excited to try the Bruschetta with Pesto and Tomato and the pestp pasta since I'm not familiar with it. I want to give it a shot! <3

    Riyalyn Gatdula
    raingatdula@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. I want to try Pasta de Sardinas using Contadina tomato sauce.

    Jim Marlon A. Macaraeg
    cyber18sg@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I want to try your Shrimp Pesto Pasta and Bruschetta Recipe! I love anything with pesto, pasta & cheese.

    Diana A. Beatima
    diana_beatima@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I want to try Roasted garlic Shrimp Penne,using Extra virgin oil & Linguine of Contadina products!
    Ann C Valdez
    cazzey_83@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Love to try Sardines Pasta using Contadina products ❤❤❤
    Vhia Faner
    vffalculan@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thanks for the chance I like to try Sardines Pasta using Contadina products

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to try the Pesto Pasta
    Bernadette Balino
    bernadettezbalino@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I want to just try aby ordinary dish using the Contadina Pure Olive Oil
    Rachelle Therese F. Gonzales
    dimplesgon@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. I would love to try the Shrimp Pesto Pasta.
    Joan Rafunzel Medina
    joanrafunzelmedina@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I want to try the pesto sauce. I have tried the powder kind and it doesnt taste good and the fresh one is very expensive and tedious to make so I want to try the Contadina Pesto and cook something for my mom.
    Feng Manlapaz
    grumpybearfe@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'd like to use the Formaggio Pasta Sauce to make some lasagna!
    Jeffrey Lammers
    jlammers002@woh.rr.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. I plan to cook a Bake Macaroni with cheese and with the use of Contadina products… wish to have Contadina goodies.
    Joy Marie F. Benosa/ joymarie_benosa@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. excited to try their Formaggio Pasta Sauce... and introduce contadina products to the whole family.
    Rosanna Bronozo / osangf36@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  17. I want to cook Pesto Pasta with Chicken so I'd like to try the Contadina Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Spaghetti Pasta and Contadina Pesto alla Genovese
    Rica Sicad, beatbeatpause@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete

Any comments, my dear?