It has become more and more evident that a diet rich in whole grains and healthy fats can make a significant difference in one’s overall health.  If you can make your family nutrient packed dishes, that satisfy both their taste buds and their tummy, they won’t give you the typical health/diet food complaints.

Barilla has launched a Taste & Share Challenge to encourage us to try cooking with their whole grain pasta, which supplies 3x the fiber of typical pasta.  There are many recipes to try, and by sharing the challenge with your friends via Facebook, they will get a coupon for $1 off their next box, and you will get a coupon for $1 off two boxes.

Barilla has made it even easier for Blommi readers to take the Whole Grain Taste & Share Challenge!  For a limited time, visit: http://on.fb.me/TryWholeGrain, enter box code 1129 and select two of your Facebook friends to share Whole Grain with. You’ll be instantly eligible to print a $1-for-2 coupon and your friends will each receive a $1-for-1 coupon good for any variety of Barilla Whole Grain pasta. (offer valid through 12-29)

I am enjoying participating in the challenge, and have come up with some new healthy recipes, that I have really loved.  This Shrimp and Charred Brussel Sprout Linguine in Creamy Walnut Sauce is one of my favorites, and would be perfect around the holidays.  It has great fall/winter flavors and comes across as decadent, but is really quite healthful. The recipe packs a good fiber punch between the whole grain linguine, brussel sprouts and walnuts.  Shrimp is a great lean protein, and the olive oil and walnuts are loaded with healthy fats.  Neufchatal cheese is used to provide creaminess, since a small amount of this reduced fat cream cheese goes a long way.

My daughter is not a fan of shrimp, but she did eat up the whole grain linguine and even some of the brussel sprouts… now that is a heck of an achievement, but overall I would say this recipe would have more appeal to adults and teens, rather than younger children.  I will certainly make it again, when I have some grown-ups around.

Shrimp and Charred Brussel Sprout Linguine in Creamy Walnut Sauce Recipe

Ingredients:

1/2 box of Barilla  Whole Grain Linguine

1/2 pound fresh brussel sprouts (quartered)

pinch of kosher/sea salt

2 tbs. olive oil

2 cloves of garlic (crushed/minced)

pinch of thyme

1/2 cup walnuts chopped

2 tbs low cholesterol buttery spread

1 lb, large raw shrimp (peeled/de-veined)

1 1/2 cups hot chicken stock

3 tbs. Neufchatal cheese

2 tbs low cholesterol buttery spread

2 tbs grated Parmesan cheese

pinch of pepper (white or black)

Directions:

1. Put on a pot of water for the pasta.  Cook the linguine al dente.
2. While waiting for pasta water to boil, pour olive oil in large saute pan, skillet or wok.  Put on med-high heat.
3. Once the pan is hot drop the quartered brussel sprouts in.  Add salt.  Stir occasionally, so you get a light char rather than burning them.
4. When brussel sprouts are nearly cooked through, add garlic, walnuts and thyme.  Continue cooking until sprouts are tender.
5. Whisk neufchatal cheese  into hot stock.
6. Add buttery spread, to the brussel sprouts.  Once melted drop in shrimp.  Saute quickly (don’t worry if shrimp are still a bit translucent).
7. Add chicken stock mixture, linguine, pepper and Parmesan to pan.
8. Stir gently until well mixed and sauce is just a little wetter than you want to serve it (will thicken a bit more, as it cools and continues to absorb).
9. Serve with a sprinkle of  grated Parmesan.

Disclosure: I was given the opportunity to share my experience with Barilla Whole Grain pasta, as part of a sponsored blogging program.  I  was compensated for my participation. All opinions and recipes presented here are my own.

Visa Gift Card Giveaway

One lucky Blommi reader will win a $100 Visa Gift Card courtesy of Barilla, to help get them on track with healthy eating.

Entry Options (do as many or as few as you like, but make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry)

• Tell me in a comment below, that you will try the Taste & Share challenge.
• “Like” Barilla US on Facebook
• “Like” Blommi on Facebook
• Follow this blog via email or RSS  (One entry each).
• Follow both  @TwiMommi and @BarillaUS on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway can be done 3x per day at least 1 hour apart (account must be public and have at least 50 followers). feel free to use this tweet: ” Win a $100 VISA Gift Card from @TwiMommi & @BarillaUS http://blommi.com/?p=23643  #Giveaway  “
• Follow me on Stumble Upon , Pinterest or Google + (one entry each, leave your user name in comment).
• Stumble, Pin or +1  this or any other recipe post from Blommi.com (each can be done once per day) The dropdown sharebar on the left side of page makes these easy.
• For 2 entries! Grab my ad button (available here), or add Blommi.com to your blogroll -> blog must be public with minimum 25 followers. Leave a link where it can be found, in your comment. (remember to leave 2 separate comments)
• For 3 Entries! Blog about this giveaway with a live link back to this post  -> blog must be public with minimum 25 followers. (be sure to leave 3 separate comments)

One winner will be randomly selected from all valid entries, and will have 48 hours to respond to their prize winner email notification. If winner fails to respond, within that time period, a new winner will be drawn. Giveaways hosted on Blommi are sponsored by third parties. Site owner will of course endeavor to see all prizes are fulfilled, but is not responsible for missing or damaged prizes. Contest ends January 15, 2011 at 11:59 pm CT. Open to US residents , age 18+.