Tomato Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp, Roasted Artichokes and Cannellini Beans

Tomato Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp, Roasted Artichokes and Cannellini Beans & Big News for Inspiralized!

Happy April Fool’s Day! Not only is today the biggest day for pranksters and jokesters,...

Tomato Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp, Roasted Artichokes and Cannellini Beans

Happy April Fool’s Day!

Not only is today the biggest day for pranksters and jokesters, it’s also my birthday. This year, it’s my 27th. 2-7. Twenty seven.

Besides it being the day of my birth, I also have some HUGE news for you!  My birthday has always been… interesting. While I’m trying to celebrate, someone’s out there to pull a prank on me. From the moment I wake up on my birthday, I’m on the lookout. Luckily most of the pranks are cute and sweet.

Last year, Lu and I walked into Marc Forgione Restaurant in TriBeCa to meet my family for my birthday dinner. On the way over, my mother called me and said she and my father got pulled over for speeding and got a ticket. I remember my mom saying, “I don’t know if we’re going to make it, Al. I’m sorry – we’ll update you in a bit.” I was really bummed! I love spending my birthday evening with my family (tonight, we’ll be celebrating at Bin14, a casual little wine bar in Hoboken.)

Lu put his arm around me and said, “Let’s just get to the restaurant and grab a drink.” We walk into the restaurant and the hostess and sommelier come over and tell us that my parents called and said that they couldn’t make it, that they’d be picking up the tab and to just enjoy ourselves.

Lu grabs my hand and leads the way to our table, around the front. Lo and behold, my entire family is sitting at a table, waiting for me!

Tomato Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp, Roasted Artichokes and Cannellini Beans

Typical birthday “festivities” for the girl born on April Fool’s Day.

But we’re not here to talk about my birthday. We’re here to talk about this big announcement that I’ve been peppering you all with for the past couple of weeks.

Inspiralized Cookbook EEK!

Can you believe it?!!!!

Clarkson Potter, an imprint at Random House, will be publishing the Inspiralized cookbook!

The book will have so many new recipes and be a beautiful guide to spiralizing, full of everything you could possibly want to know about spiralizing. It will have even more than this blog has to offer.

I am completely humbled that Random House (the largest English language publishing house in the WORLD) has chosen me as one of their authors. I can’t even express how happy, nervous, thrilled, excited and pumped I am.

It’s truly surreal how my dreams are coming true, day by day.

I quit my job on June 25th, 2013.

I started this blog on June 26, 2013.

On Thursday, March 20, 2014 my cookbook deal was made official.

In celebration of this achievement, I’ve recreated the first dish that I EVER made which sparked Lu to encourage me to quit my job and pursue my dream of Inspiralizing the world: zucchini noodles in a light tomato sauce with cannellini beans, roasted artichokes and shrimp!

As proof, here’s the original post about it (on my old personal blog that I no longer have):

Inspiralized

And now, recreated a year later (same recipe, better photos):

Tomato Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp, Roasted Artichokes and Cannellini Beans

I couldn’t ask for a better birthday gift! I’m living proof that if you go for what you want most in life and work hard, you can achieve it. Don’t let anyone tell you you can’t and when they do, just use that as fuel to work stronger and better.

You really do control your future and every day is an opportunity to set the stage for your best life.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without you. Every single reader who tells a friend or family member about Inspiralized has helped me gain the traction needed to do what I have done, in less than a year. I’m eternally grateful for your kindness, support and willingness to spread the Inspiralized message.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Now, what does that mean for the blog? Not much will change except that I am going to post Sunday – Thursday and take most Fridays off. I’ll need Fridays for cookbook writing and recipe development. Make sure you’re following me on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, where I’ll be posting up my recipe testing and journey towards writing this cookbook.

Also, if you’re not already subscribed to my mailing list, make sure you do by clicking here. I’ll be keeping y’all updated on the cookbook progress that way!

OK, I’m off to celebrate! Lu and I are working from home today and playing semi-hooky.

Love,
Ali
Future published cookbook author and current birthday girl

Tomato Zucchini Noodles with Shrimp, Roasted Artichokes and Cannellini Beans

3 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2

Ingredients

  • 1 can artichoke hearts drained
  • 1 tbsp olive oil + more to drizzle
  • salt and pepper + 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 garlic clove minced
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup diced red onion
  • 1 14- oz can of diced tomatoes no salt added
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil chopped
  • 2 large zucchinis Blade C
  • 1 cup cannellini beans rinsed and patted dry
  • For the shrimp:
  • 6-8 medium shrimp
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • cooking spray

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Add the artichokes hearts into a baking tray and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Season with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Roast in the oven for 15 minutes.
  • Place a large skillet over medium heat and add in the olive oil. Then, add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add in the red pepper flakes, onions and cook for about 2 minutes. Then, add in the tomatoes, oregano, basil and season with salt and pepper. Let the sauce reduce for 10 minutes or until all the liquid has absorbed.
  • Five minutes into reducing the sauce, place a medium skillet over medium heat and coat with cooking spray. Season the shrimp with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Then, add the shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes, flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes or until shrimp are cooked through. Set aside.
  • When the sauce is done, add in the zucchini noodles, cannellini beans and artichokes. Cook for 3 minutes or until zucchini noodles soften. Plate into two bowls, top with shrimp and enjoy!
with love, Ali

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Recipe Rating




comments

  • Happy birthday girl! I'm so happy for you; you've worked so hard and deserve all the success in the world! You're an inspiration to us all and proof that following your heart and chasing your dreams is 500% worth it :) Keep going and have a wonderful b-day!
  • Happy Birthday! Am I missing something?...I don't see the cannelli beans in the ingredients list....
    • They're there. Peek a boo!
  • Congrats, A! Can't wait to buy it!! (Make sure to come to LI for a book reading and cooking class!!)
  • Celebrate and enjoy it Ali. You've done a lot with your blog in a short amount of time and it really is inspirational. You've come so far! I can't wait to buy your print book one day. I'm sure it will be 100% fabulous.
  • Wow that is amazing!! You are living my dream :) I am working hard on continuing to build my blog and hopefully can get to your level! Congratulations!!!
  • Congrats!!! So excited for you... and wow, yes, that updated photo is SOOOOOOOOOO much better :) I am in awe of your (quick) journey and path to success. You're such an inspiration!!
  • Happy Birthday! Today is also my childhood friend's birthday, whom I've known since we were four. No longer in contact, I remember fondly my attempts each year to fool her in some way with her gift. "I got you a car," (matchbox car), "I got you a watch" (child's watch), or "I completely forgot" (I still haven't). Enjoy your day, Ali. And thanks for inspiralizing me.
  • Happy Birthday, Ali! Wishing you lots of luck on your new achievement!! All the best.
  • Congratulations & Happy Birthday!
  • Congratulations and thanks for all that you do!! You changed my life!!!!! I love your recipes, keep them coming! I bought the ebook and can't wait for the print one!
  • Happy Birthday Ali! I'll be the first in line to buy your new book...and a few more as gifts for friends!
  • This is amazing Ali! I was hoping this would be the news. So deserving and so exciting. CONGRATS girly. Enjoy your day and all that you have accomplished... and will continue to :)
  • Happy Birthday and Congratulations on the cookbook! I can't wait to own it! Hopefully Williams Sonoma will carry your book and you can do a book signing at our store (Upper Montclair!). At lot of our customers follow you or at least get recipe inspiration from you. Enjoy your day!
  • happy happy happy bday girl : ) and huge congrats on the book deal, you make us so proud! and i'm sure you realize it was 9 months from 26 june 13 to 20 mar 14 : )
  • This is amazing Ali! And so deserving. I was hoping this would be your big news :) Wishing you a very happy birthday and big congrats on this deal and all of your continued success
  • congrats!! i am SO excited for you!! (and happy birthday!)
  • Happy Birthday and CONGRATULATIONS! I love your blog and can't wait to follow along on your journey (and obviously buy the cookbook at the end)! Baltimore welcomes you for a book tour when it's done :)
  • Happy Birthday and Congratulations! I can't wait to read it :) Please try and include Baltimore on your book tour :)
  • Happy Birthday to you and congratulations on your book deal! I am looking so forward to following your progress on the cook book and can't wait for it to be published so I can purchase it. Yes you have come a long way in 9 months and wonder where you will be at the end of the next 9! Keep up the great work - you are an inspiration to us all!
  • Congratulations on the book deal! That will definitely be going on my have to buy list.
  • Haaaapy Birthday!! And congrats! What an awesome day!
  • Good for you! Following your dreams is so important! You are an inspiration. Happy Birthday!
  • Ali! Have a wonderful birthday and a fabulous year! Congrats on the book deal! You deserve all the good things that come your way! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes! Loved the mason jar salad! :) connie
  • Happy birthday and a big congratulations! I'm so glad I stumbled upon your wonderful blog and the spiralizer which has seriously changed my life! I eat far more veggies than before. I know of 9 people who have bought a spiralizer from looking at my FB posts of spiralized dishes because I love it that much and I guess my dishes and exciment shine through! How cool is that? You have reached a lot of people!!!! Domino effect!! Congrats again!
  • They are smart to engage you. You are onto something here.
  • Happy birthday, sweet friend! I am SO EXCITED about your amazing upcoming cookbook! Yay! I'll definitely be here to support you any way I can. You truly are an inspiration! Hope you have a super fun birthday week! Blessings, Kelly
  • Happy belated birthday, Ali! What great news! Welcome to the world of publishing! Do you have a literary agent? If not, you should maybe get one. I used to be with Victoria Sanders, and she was pretty good (although I don't know if she handled cookbooks as I write fiction). I hope you had a great birthday and lots of fun with your peops!
  • Happy belated birthday and congratulations on your cookbook deal. Am really looking forward to it and will also get one as a gift. Just made this recipe last night; was it ever good! It actually made enough for 3 people and since I am alone, I have leftovers......nice! Thank you, Ali, have a blessed day.
  • This is my go to spiralizer recipe. Love this, but have also used it to create several variations of it.
  • I loved the look and "feel" of this recipe and was just about to decide to print it when I realized that there is no nutritional information. that forced me to change my mind. For those of us with health issues, having the nutritional information is a MUST. Sorry
    • We really appreciate your feedback, Victoria!