CHEESECAKE FACTORY

Sometimes it is best to just go to a steakhouse and order a steak but ask if there is any butter on it.
Sometimes that is the sabotage to any diet.  Pasta is another thing that can be low-fat and good if you know how it is made. I remember the Pasta Diet.  A few friends and I went on this Pasta Diet and all gained weight.  We couldn't figure what we did wrong. Of course, we were all in New York at  the time and were eating 3 meals a day at restaurants.  You can portion control all you want but if you don't know how it is made you could be done in.

I was just reading something from Prevention Magazine that said curiously enough seafood-based pasta is usually the worst type of pasta on the menu.  Who would have known that?  You think that shrimp or mussels are really low in fat and calories so how could that be.  Well, look no further than Cheesecake Factory's 2,819-calorie Bistro Shrimp Pasta for proof.  Restaurants feel the use of a lean protein like shrimp entitles them to the use of huge quantities of butter, cream, and cheese, all but drowning out any actual chance of eating lean. 

So here is something I am going to try tonight.  It is a little Italian favourite called Spicy Shrimp Fra Diavolo made with a little more than crushed tomatoes, white wine, and a pinch of red pepper flakes

Here is the recipe I am going to use.

SHRIMP FRA DIAVOLO II

Serves 4

3/4 lb. shrimp peeled and deveined
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 tsp dried oregano or thyme
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 cup dry white wine
8 oz. spaghetti
2 tbsp. chopped flat leaf parsley. 

Just cook shrimps first for a couple of minutes, until just firm.
Remove them and put in pepper flakes, onion and spices and cook until soft then add tomatoes and wine and simmer for 15 minutes.
Cook spaghetti according to the package instructions.  Drain and put back in the pot.
Season the sauce with salt and pepper.  Fold the cooked shrimp in the sauce. Pour over pasta and toss.

I will let you know how tasty it is. 
I guess I am not ever eating pasta at The Cheesecake Factory.