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Shrimp Scampi Tasty Recipe

Shrimp Scampi Recipe

Elaine Gordon
It was a warm evening, and the sun was setting with colors that painted the sky. I was enjoying time in the kitchen, the aroma of garlic wafting through the air. At that moment, I decided it was the perfect time to whip up shrimp scampi.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4
Calories 345 kcal

Equipment

  • Skillet

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pound raw jumbo shrimp 21 to 30 per pound, thawed if frozen
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/4 medium bunch fresh flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper plus extra for serving
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil divided
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  • Juice of 1/2 medium lemon
  • Cooked pasta or crusty artisan bread for serving
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme

Instructions
 

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

  • Start by gathering all your ingredients. Make sure your shrimp are peeled and deveined. Mince the garlic, chop the parsley, and measure out your wine or broth. Having everything ready will make your cooking process smooth and enjoyable.

Step 2: Sauté the Garlic

  • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Once the butter is melted and bubbling, add the minced garlic.
  • You want to sauté the garlic gently until it becomes fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Watch closely; burnt garlic can ruin the dish and make it bitter.

Step 3: Cook the Shrimp

  • Add your shrimp to the skillet. They should sizzle upon contact. Season with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Cook the shrimp for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque.
  • At this point, you can’t help but notice the tantalizing aroma filling your kitchen.

Step 4: Add the Liquid

  • Once your shrimp are cooked, pour in the white wine or chicken broth. This is where the magic happens. The liquid forms the base for your sauce.
  • Scrape up any bits stuck to the pan; that’s flavor you don’t want to miss. Allow it to simmer for about 2 minutes, letting the alcohol cook off a bit.

Step 5: Enrich the Sauce

  • Squeeze the juice of half a lemon into the pan. Give it a good stir, and let it simmer for a minute. Then, remove the skillet from the heat.
  • Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and the parsley, stirring to combine everything.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

  • Spoon your shrimp and sauce over cooked pasta or serve on a plate with crusty bread. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and perhaps a spritz of lemon for extra flair.

Video

Notes

Here are some tips to ensure your shrimp scampi turns out perfectly every time:
  • Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh shrimp and ingredients enhance the flavor dramatically. Look for shrimp that smell like the ocean, not fishy.
  • Don’t Overcook: Shrimp cook quickly. Overcooked shrimp can turn rubbery. Watch them closely.
  • Balance the Flavors: Feel free to adjust lemon, garlic, and spice levels to match your taste buds.
  • Rest Time: Let the dish rest for a minute or two before serving. This allows the sauce to absorb into the shrimp.
  • Add Fresh Herbs: Besides parsley, feel free to experiment with other herbs like basil or oregano to vary the flavors.

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 49gFat: 13.1gSaturated Fat: 4.6gCholesterol: 378mgSodium: 1526mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 14IUVitamin C: 67mgCalcium: 22mgIron: 19mg
Keyword Shrimp Scampi Recipe
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