SHRIMP, BACON, AVOCADO PASTA SALAD

SHRIMP, BACON, AVOCADO PASTA SALAD image

Yield 4-6 people

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 pound dry fusilli pasta
1/2 pound of peeled, deveined raw shrimp
1/2 teaspoon chipotle pepper powder
1/4 teaspoon salt (plus more salt for the pasta water)
3-4 thick-cut slices of bacon (about 3 ounces), sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
1/3 cup diced red onion
1/3 cup diced red bell pepper
1/3 cup diced yellow bell pepper
2 green onions, thinly sliced, including the green onion greens
1 avocado
1/4 cup (packed) roughly chopped cilantro
Dressing:
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1 Tbsp white wine vinegar (can sub apple cider vinegar)
1 teaspoon lime zest
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 Tbsp olive oil

Steps:

1 Toss shrimp with chipotle chile powder and salt and put in the refrigerator to marinate while you make the pasta and the rest of the salad. 2 Put a large pot of salted water on to a boil (2 quarts of water, 1 Tbsp salt). 3 While the water is heating, cook the bacon. Put the bacon in a small saucepan on medium heat. Cook until most of the fat has rendered out and the bacon pieces are lightly browned. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Discard or save for future use all but one tablespoon of the rendered bacon fat (do not pour bacon fat down the drain or you will be calling your plumber). 4 Increase the heat to high and add the shrimp. SautÃÂ© until done, a few minutes. 5 When the pasta water comes to a boil, add the pasta and cook until al dente, cooked through but still a little firm to the bite (usually 1 or 2 minutes less than what the package calls for). 6 Put all of the dressing ingredients into a jar, cover and shake until well blended. 7 When the pasta is ready, strain it and rinse with cold water. Place in a large bowl. Add the vinaigrette and toss with the shrimp, bacon, bell peppers, and onions. Add the cilantro and avocado just before serving. Read more: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/shrimp_bacon_avocado_pasta_salad/#ixzz3cxhalAPa