Garlicky Shrimp with Broccoli and Pasta

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

Food for the Palate

Ingredients: 

8 oz. of spaghetti pasta (or you can use your favorite)

4 Tbsp olive oil, divided

1 medium onion, diced

1 tsp of salt

1/2 tsp of pepper

6 garlic cloves, minced (less if you want-but why would you?)

1 1/2 cups broccoli, steamed or roasted

1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined

1/4 cup pecorino cheese, shredded

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions:

Prepare pasta per instructions on the box-but cook 2 minutes less than instructed (you will finish the last 2 minutes when it is the sauté pan). Once pasta is cooked, reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain it. 

While the pasta cooks, get a large sauté pan and add 2 Tbsp of your olive oil. Add diced onions and cook until translucent, about 4-5 minutes on medium-high heat. 

Add garlic to the onions and once you smell the garlic, add the shrimp, salt and pepper. Sauté for 6-8 minutes. Add the cooked broccoli and toss all together. Add your pasta and 1/2 cup of pasta water (more if needed for sauce consistency) directly to the shrimp and broccoli and toss gently and combine well. 

Remove from heat and 2 Tbsp of olive oil and cheese. Toss all together, add 3/4 of your parsley (leaving enough for sprinkling), transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle fresh parsley on top. Tasty to the Palate!

Food for the Soul

Broccoli is basically a large edible flower. The stalks and flower florets are eaten both raw and cooked and have a flavor similar to cabbage, but broccoli is also related to kale, cauliflower and brussels sprouts.

I served garden fresh broccoli for dinner the other night. My husband loves broccoli. But I realized that he wasn't eating it. I thought it tasted good, but decided to look at my plate to see if mine was different then his. That is when I noticed that there were two dead caterpillars on my plate, meaning I likely ate a few of them in the broccoli before noticing. As my husband watched my reaction to my discovery he immediately spoke up and said, "Are you nervous about eating those? Because it looks like you're about to have butterflies." 😉

As a preschool teacher I would order caterpillars every year for the kids to enjoy the process of watching them spin their cocoons (chrysalis). They would have to be patient during the hibernation period, but once the cycle was finished, they were always amazed at the beautiful butterfly that appeared. The only problem was, they would be upset when I would say, "Ok, now we need to set them free". That statement never went well with those precious preschoolers!

But for the Christian, nothing brings more joy, peace and comfort when you hear Galatians 5:1 which says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." God wants His children to experience the joy of freedom from sin and eternal death. As Christians we are free from the control and penalty of sin and promised eternity with Him. This Truth should stir enormous joy in the heart of the believer.  

Back to the caterpillar. We know that caterpillars are short, stubby and do not have wings. While they are in their cocoons the body parts of the caterpillar are experiencing an extraordinary transformation in order to become the beautiful butterfly.  

When the butterfly first emerges from the chrysalis, both of the wings are going to be soft and folded against its body. This is because the butterfly had to fit all its new parts inside its cocoon.  Once the butterfly has had time to rest it will begin to pump blood into the wings so that they will start working. After this happens, the beautiful butterfly is ready fly and be set free.

There is a really good reason that I share the cycle of the butterfly with you. As Christians we have been set free in Christ, but we don’t always live like we are free. We have two amazing promises in God’s Holy Word. The first one is from John 8:36 that says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” And the second one is found in Galatians 2:20 that says, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." With these two beautiful promises we need to break out of our cocoons of apathy, fear or doubt, and start flying in freedom with the Holy Spirit! You have been forgiven in Christ. You are a new creation in Christ. You are an adopted beloved child of the One true God in Christ. So spread your wings and fly, beloved, because Christ has set you free! Satisfying to the Soul!