Spaghetti Aglio e Olio w/shrimp and blackberries/raspberries with cream, vanilla sugar. & Cointreau

Tonight’s dinner, after wine tasting at Susan’s, was the leftover pasta dish from Andiamo, supplemented with twelve 16-20 white shrimp, sautéed with garlic and Italian herbs, and finished with Italian dry vermouth. The leftovers had held up remarkably well for almost a week, and were very enjoyable with the fresh shrimp. This was very good with a 1997 California Shenandoah Vineyards Zingiovese (74% Sangiovese / 26% Zihfandel) - this wine was much richer and more balanced than any we’d had at Susan’s - good garnet color; bright cherry-berry fruit, balanced mid-palate with adequate acidity; and a pleasant, medium long fruity finish.

Then for dessert we had the rest of the berries leftover from Sunday night, macerated in vanilla sugar and Cointreau, and mixed with lightly whipped cream with vanilla sugar and Cointreau. This was enjoyed while watching Jamie at Home and The Sarah Jane Adventures (via TiVo) with a couple short glasses of Grand Marnier.

All this was following a violent thunderstorm during last night, followed by steady rain this morning. Fortunately it started clearing this afternoon, so were were able to eat out out our patio, enjoying the evening.

Sounds great, Dick! Spaghetti aglio e olio is one of my absolute favorites. Add in a bunch of crushed red peppers and parm, and it’s a perfect meal.