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Oh how I love this extra saucy, extra delicious basil pomodoro shrimp. It’s quick, simple, easy, so good, summery, and the perfect way to use all the end of summer tomatoes, corn, and herbs that are flooding the markets right now. If you need a quick weeknight dinner full of color and flavor, make this shrimp. It will not disappoint.
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Are you sick of tomatoes and corn yet? I know I’ve been sharing a lot of fresh tomato, corn, and peach recipes this past month, but you guys, I’m truly up to my ears in tomatoes and herbs, as the garden is just overflowing right now. We didn’t grow any corn, so no excuse for that, other than the fact that it seems to take up an entire corner of the market, and it’s cheap, and delicious!
I’m really hoping that you guys are feeling the same, and are looking for recipes that will use up all this amazing summer produce, and still be delicious, different, and fun.
Plus, as much as I am looking forward to fall, I’m not really ready to let go of summer, or to start sharing fall recipes just yet. My goal is to embrace the end of summer. Which can be super hard, since fall will forever be my favorite, but I’m seizing the challenge!
Before I left for my LA trip the other week, I was determined to use up everything I had in my fridge, pantry, and as much from the garden as possible.
The last two weeks we’ve had a serious fruit fly issue, so I didn’t want to leave anything on the counter or in the fridge that could bring on more flies.
And yes, I know that sounds so gross, but fruit flies are just something you have to be mindful of this time of year, right? Older bananas were the culprit this time. Anyone have tips for getting rid of fruit flies? They seem to be sticking around, and I’m not going to lie, it is one of the most annoying things in the world. I’ve now been keeping the bananas in the fridge and you know what? I do not like cold bananas (or tomatoes, or avocados), not my thing. Fruit flies just be gone already!
Moving on…
This recipe is quick and simple and perfect, so there’s not too much to go on and on about. But don’t let that fool you, this recipe is 110% delicious.
Here are the details:
Start with the shrimp. You’ll need lots of fresh cherry tomatoes for the sauce. You can use a mix of colors, but I actually just went with mostly red tomatoes. I wanted my sauce to have a really nice, deep dark red color, but again, use what you have. As long as the tomatoes are good, you’ll end up with a great sauce.
Because the sauce is so simple, it’s very important to use really good quality ingredients. So find some super ripe and juicy tomatoes, fresh garlic, and good basil. Quality is key here.
Start off by adding the tomatoes to a hot skillet, along with olive oil and garlic, and let them cook until they burst. The juice from the tomatoes will create the sauce. Add a little wine and simmer until the sauce thickens. Add the shrimp and lots of fresh basil.
DONE. That’s it.
While the sauce is simmering away, make the polenta. And yes, you NEED the polenta, so don’t even think about skipping it. It’s buttery, creamy, and so perfect with the shrimp. Kind of like shrimp and grits, but better.
Now, spoon the shrimp over the polenta and eat.
You see? Simple, but delicious, pretty healthy, and a great dish for the end of summer. Who is in? Cool. Cool. Shrimp and polenta it is!
If you make this pomodoro shrimp with creamed corn polenta, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Basil Pomodoro Shrimp with Creamed Corn Polenta
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
- kosher salt and pepper
- 4 cups cherry tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 1 cup fresh basil, roughly torn
Polenta
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 ears sweet corn, kernels removed from the cob
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup instant polenta
- kosher salt and pepper
Instructions
- 1. In a large skillet set over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Cook until pink, about 2-3 minutes per side and cooked through. Remove from the skillet to a plate.2. Working with the same skillet set over medium heat, add the remaining olive oil. When the oil shimmers, add the tomatoes, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, and a pinch each of salt and pepper. Cook until the tomatoes begin to pop, about 5 minutes. Pour in the wine and 1/2 cup water and continue cooking another 8-10 minutes, until the tomatoes have broken down and a sauce has formed. Remove from the heat and stir in the basil and shrimp. 3. Meanwhile, make the polenta. Melt the butter in a large skillet set over high heat. Add the corn, thyme, and a pinch each of salt and pepper and cook 5 minutes or until the corn is golden. Add 1 cup water and the milk. Bring to a low boil. Slowly whisk in the polenta, stirring, until the polenta is soft and thick, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.4. To serve, divide the polenta among bowls and spoon the shrimp overtop. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Did you make this recipe? Please rate & comment below.
this was an absolutely melt in your mouth exquisitely delicious meal. i LOVED it!!!! making it again tomorrow night for my grandgirlies. thank you so much..you are a genius!!!
I am so glad you loved this and hope your granddaughters love it as well! Thank you Cathleen!
This looks great! I think I will try it this week, maybe with fresh corn polenta (corn grated into a pulp and cooked with butter).
Thank you so much Erin!
I’m allergic to shellfish, so I was wondering what a good substitute would be? Thanks! Love your recipes.
Hey Gwen! You could used cubed chicken, salmon or halibut! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe. Thanks so much! xTieghan
Pomodoro lemon with ice cream polenta combined with basil is fantastic, looks attractive
Thank you!
Made this last night for book club. It was delicious…such a hit. I used tube (precooked) polenta because that’s what my store had. Just chop into little pieces first and proceed in the same manner. I doubled the shrimp, did slightly more tomatoes and it made 5+ hearty servings. I also added a little parm to the polenta. Yum. Thanks so much!!!
Thank you so much Tifanh!
You’ve done it again! Just made this and it was astonishingly tasty. Just one thing: after 10 minutes I found that the sauce was still pretty watery, so I reduced it for another 10 and it came out perfectly.
I’ll definitely be saving this one.
Thank you so much Alexandra!
Just made this for the family dinner Friday night, exactly as written, and everyone loved it! It’s always great to use home grown tomatoes and basil. Shopped for shrimp and local corn at my Neighborhood Rego’s (hello Stongsville, OH!) and the instant polenta came all the way from Delallo’s in nearby Pittsburgh! Enjoyed everything outdoors on the patio- ah, sweet summer. Thank you, Tieghan!!
Thank you so much Betsy! I am so glad you loved this!
So happy I have polenta on hand in my pantry right now to try this!! Love the idea of adding fresh corn to the polenta too. 🙂
Thank you Brittany! I hope you love this!
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to try! My foolproof fruit fly eradicator is the vacuum! As a fresh fruit lover, I’ve found it is genuinely the only way to get rid of them! I’ll put out a piece of cut up fruit to attract them and suck them right up with the hose! Takes a couple times but I can generally get rid of them in 1 day.
I like that idea as well! Thank you Erin!
Just remembered, fruit flies are known for laying eggs in sink drains, pour boiling water down the drain daily until the problem clears up. Especially after you dump all the ones you catch down the drain in the vinegar mixture.
Thank you Sue! I was not aware of that!
Uuggghhh, fruit flies. I have had great success placing a bowl of apple cider vinegar mixed with a iittle water and a drop of Dawn dishwashing liquid. Swirl it around a little. The vinegar attracts the flies and they get stuck on the Dawn! Good luck.
Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Thank you so much Deb!
Use half water, half Apple cider vinegar and a few drops of dish liquid set in small bowls around the kitchen, they fly in but can’t fly out because of the dish liquid, it creates a barrier. When you buy fruit blow on it, you may look a little strange but if any fruit flies are in it and fly out you know you don’t want to bring their offspring home with you, (meaning eggs have been laid in said fruit, bananas and sweet onions usually the worst). Good luck.
Wow that is such a great idea! Thank you for the Sue! I will definitely try this out!
OMG so yum! I could eat this all day every day. Loving the flavors, and that corn polenta sounds delish! My boyfriend is always after me about leaving food on the counter because we have fruit flies all time!! I hate them too.
They’re the worst! But I am so glad you like this recipe Danielle!
I recommend peeling any bananas you’re not going to eat when they get overly ripe, break them into smaller pieces, put the chunks in a freezer bag, and freeze them to use later in smoothies and ice cream.
That is such a great idea! Thanks Donald!
Keep a small bowl of apple cider vinegar next to where you keep your fruit and vegetables that are on the counter. It works wonders on getting rid of fruit flies. ACV has so many great qualities! hahaha!
Thanks for another great recipe. I never make polenta so I will definitely try this. Thank you Tieghan!
I love that! Thank you so much Kristen!