October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month....Cooking Pink with Garlic-Shrimp Fettuccine

Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Each of us in our lives has been touched by cancer in one way or another. Either a good friend, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, wife or even ourselves has struggled to come to terms with the disease. In each of our communities there are individuals or organizations creating awareness and raising funds. When my daughter was in high school there were even teenagers shaving their heads and donating their locks to make wigs for cancer patients and raising funds for this excellent cause. Breast cancer is not age related at all. It affects us all!

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for The Cure is an extraordinary single-day experience that unites more than 170,000 Canadians in 53 communities across the country. Together, they raise millions of dollars to fund innovative and relevant breast cancer research, education, and awareness programs in the communities where we live. The Run for the Cure is this coming Sunday, September 30, 2007. Run For The Cure . Thousands of Canadians will take steps towards a future without breast cancer. These fundraising initiatives celebrate life, pay tribute to lives lost, and unite people who hope to reach a common goal; to win the battle against breast cancer.

Last weekend was the dragon boat festival here in our community . Bust 'n' Loose is a group of breast cancer survivors based in Kelowna, British Columbia who paddle for fun, to raise awareness about breast cancer, and to support breast cancer research. They participate in several dragon boat festivals each year, with members pushing themselves to their limits, as either paddlers or members of the support crew. They send a positive message to other women with breast cancer. They are proud to be part of a team that encourages people living with breast cancer to grow stronger and take pride in each other's accomplishments. You can visit their site at Bust n Loose .

This past weekend had our community thinking a lot about cancer in general and cancer survivors. Fifty cyclists raised approximately 2 million dollars Saturday for the B.C. Cancer Foundation as they rode through the mountains with cycling legend Lance Armstrong. To participate in the 80-km ride, the cyclists had to donate up to $25,000 each, for blood cancer research. Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France champion and a cancer survivor, rode with the group starting on Chute Lake Road.

Minko of Couture Cupcakes has invited people to make a pink dish in honour of Pink Ribbon Day in Australia. Shrimp is pink so I have opted for one of my favourite shrimp pastas.

**Garlic-Shrimp Pasta**

8 oz uncooked fettuccine or spaghettini

3 tablespoons butter, divided

4-1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour

2 cups half-and-half cream

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2-3 tablespoons prepared pesto sauce

2 tablespoons minced garlic, divided ( I use 3 - 4 cloves myself)

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 small onion, chopped

2 cups fresh broccoli florets

1 lb uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

Cook the pasta according to the package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt 4 -1/2 tsp butter over medium heat. Stir in flour until smooth. Gradually add cream. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.

Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese, pesto sauce, 1 tablespoon garlic, Worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, salt and pepper. Keep warm over low heat.

In a large skillet, saute onion and broccoli in remaining butter for 5 minutes. Add shrimp and remaining garlic; cook and stir until shrimp turns pink. Stir in the cream sauce. Drain pasta; add to shrimp mixture and toss to coat.

Serves 4

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