Sure, stew and pasta are traditional, hearty dishes to warmus
up on a cold winter’s day. But this hearty and aromatic dish
from Chef Steve Petusevsky is sure tomake friends and family
think you graduated froma gourmet cooking school! The
good news is that it’s the blending of complimentary flavors
thatmakes this simple recipememorable.And, the addition
of coffee as an ingredient gives this a rich, sultry flavor that
sets this pasta/vegetable/shrimp dish in a class all its own.
This is perfect as a one-dish meal. But be sure to make
enough (just double the recipe), as friends and family are
sure to ask for seconds!
If your friends ask you how you thought of adding
coffee as an ingredient, you can proudly say you have
their good health in mind.We now know that coffee goes
far beyond being simply a great-tasting beverage. Studies
show it may help reduce our risk of type 2 diabetes,1 liver
disease,2 Parkinson’s3 and even certain types of cancer.3
And it may even enhance short-term memory.4 Now
that’s news to chew on!
Creamy, pink, coffee-flecked tortellini provides a flavorful
background for crunchy broccoli florets and delicate
shrimp. Cheese filled pasta is used here, but you could
substitute ravioli or agnolotti half moons. (Whole wheat
tortellini will yield an added earthy flavor.) If you prefer,
you can eliminate shrimp for a vegetarian version.
As you enjoy each rich, satisfying bite, you’ll realize that a
cozy winter lunch can be more pleasurable than you’d ever
thought possible!
For other flavorful and healthful food creations,
you may want to try other coffee recipes available at

(1Coffee, Caffeine, and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes: A prospective cohort study. Diabetes
Care: 2006.
2Influence of Coffee Drinking on Subsequent Risk of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A
Prospective Study in Japan. J Natl Cancer Inst: 2005.
3Coffee and health: a review of recent human research. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr: 2006.
4Influence of Caffeine Excess on Activation Patterns in VerbalWorking Memory.
Radiological Society of North America: 2005.)

Warm Up and Perk Up a ColdWinter’s
Day with this Tempting Pasta Delight

Method:
Set aside the cooked
tortellini to chill while
preparing the recipe.
Heat the oil in a large
nonstick sauté pan and add
the green onions, garlic and
broccoli florets. Sauté over medium heat for 1 minute,
adding a sprinkle of water to prevent sticking if needed.
Add the shrimp, Cajun spices, coffee and tomato paste,
stirring well to lightly brown. Add the cream and stir in
to combine all ingredients well, forming a light pink,
creamy sauce.
Add the cooked tortellini to the mixture and stir well.
Cook for 3 minutes until a smooth sauce is formed
around the pasta and shrimp. Season to taste with salt.
9-ounce package fresh cheese-filled tortellini,
cooked al dente

1 tablespoon olive oil
6 small green onions (scallions), minced
2 cloves minced garlic
1 cup small broccoli florets
½ lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 teaspoons Cajun spice blend
1 tablespoon finely ground coffee,
regular or decaffeinated
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 cup cream (or light cream)
Salt to taste

Optional: ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan or
Romano cheese for garnish
Tortellini with Coffee Creole Cream, Broccoli and Shrimp
(makes 2-3 servings)