I LOVE TRADER JOE'S COOKBOOK Recipe #1- Linguine with Leeks, Shrimp, and Arugula

This is my new blog where I review new recipes that I am trying. I love to cook and I love Trader Joe's so when I saw the I Love Trader Joe's Cookbook, I knew it had to be mine. I pretty much want to make every recipe in the book and that never happens so I am very excited about this purchase. Here is the first recipe I tried:

Linguini with Leeks, Shrimp, and Arugula

1 bag of linguini cooked and drained (I used whole wheat cuz I like it better)
1 tblsp Olive Oil (OO)
1 tblsp Butter
2 Leeks, cleaned and thinly sliced (I only bought one and probably should have had two)
2 cloves crushed garlic
1/2 cup Veggie broth
1/2 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
handful of arugula
1/4 cup grated parmesan
salty and pepper

In a medium saucepan, heat the OO and butter. Saute the leeks over medium hig heat until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute 1-2 minutes (I also added one clove of a shallot which I recommend). Add the vegetable broth (I added about 3/4 cup and it was still really not enough) and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, until the sauce is slightly reduced. Add the shrimp (I had closer to 3/4 lb and I think next go round I will go for a full pound) and cook 3 to 4 minutes, until pink. Toss the shrimp-leek mixture with the cooked pasta. Add the arugula (I did a couple handfuls which I recommend) and toss. Add the grated parmesan, toss, and adjust seasonings to taste with salt an pepper.

Rating: 5 out 10 stars. It had alot of the right ingredients to make something special but it was definitely lacking in something. I will make it again but with some adjustments:

- add a shallot to the garlic like I did before
- add more shrimp to make it closer to a pound.
- use two leeks like the recipe said!
- double the veggie broth (or even use chicken broth) and reduce
- add some half and half when the shrimp is near pink.
- Add the arugula right before the pasta instead of right after.

I will update when I make it again to see how those changes helped the recipe!