Buffalo Shrimp With Pasta And Blue Cheese Sauce

Directions

1. Seafood Alternatives: scallops, salmon strips To make the blue cheese sauce, combine the onion, oil, garlic and sugar in a medium saucepan. Cook, stirring, over medium heat till the onion is tender and golden brown, 3 to 5 min. Remove from the heat and stir in the blue cheese till nearly melted. Cover to keep hot and set aside.
2. Bring 3 qts of water to a boil in a large pan over high heat. Stir in the pasta and boil uncovered till tender, 8 to 12 min.
3. While the pasta cooks, prepare the shrimp. Heat the oil in a wok or possibly large frying pan over high heat. Add in the shrimp and cook, stirring occasionally, till nearly pink, about 1 1/2 min. Stir in the garlic, butter, and Tabasco and cook till the shrimp is just opaque in the center, about 1 1/2 min longer. Take from the heat and stir in the paprika; set aside.
4. Drain the pasta well and put it in a large bowl. Stir in the hot blue cheese sauce. Gently fold in 2 Tbsp. of the chives. Spoon the pasta onto individual plates and sprinkle with remaining chives. Top with the shrimp and sauce and serve.
5. This recipe yields 4 servings.
6. Comments: Here's a new twist on the ever popular Buffalo wings - fiery warm chicken wings served with blue cheese dip and celery sticks. Buttery and spicy stir-fried shrimp bask on a bed of pasta tossed in blue cheese sauce. A touch of sugar in the sauce cuts the tanginess of the blue cheese, but you can omit it if desired.
7. This flavorful dish would be perfectly paired with a large platter of fresh fruit or possibly clusters of grapes to cut the heat. A crisp fruity wine will do nicely, too.