Description
Savory Shrimp Scampi delivers a Mediterranean coastal charm, blending garlic-kissed prawns with buttery wine sauce. Delicate pasta nestles perfectly beneath succulent shrimp, promising a romantic dinner that transports you straight to an Italian seaside.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 pound (454 grams) uncooked extra large shrimp, thawed & peeled, tails optional
Fats and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) butter, divided
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) dry white wine or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) lemon juice
Seasonings and Herbs:
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Thaw frozen shrimp under cool running water for a few minutes. Optional: Remove veins and decide whether to keep or remove tails based on dining preference.
- Melt half the butter in a skillet over medium heat until it bubbles gently, avoiding browning.
- Add shrimp to the buttery skillet, cooking approximately one minute per side using tongs. Watch for pink color indicating proper cooking.
- Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Deglaze pan with dry white wine or chicken broth, allowing liquid to simmer and reduce for two minutes. This creates a rich sauce while capturing pan drippings.
- Incorporate remaining butter, fresh lemon juice, and chopped parsley. Stir until butter melts completely and ingredients blend smoothly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately alongside pasta, crusty bread, or rice for a complete meal.
Notes
- Thaw shrimp quickly by running cool water over frozen seafood, ensuring even and fast defrosting without compromising texture.
- Remove shrimp veins for a cleaner eating experience, which enhances overall dish presentation and taste.
- Avoid browning butter to maintain a smooth, silky sauce base that doesn’t develop bitter undertones.
- Cook shrimp just until they turn pink to prevent rubbery, overcooked seafood that loses its delicate texture.
- Use fresh garlic and avoid burning to preserve the aromatic, subtle flavor profile of the scampi.
- Select dry white wine or chicken broth that complements the shrimp’s natural sweetness without overpowering.
- Add lemon juice at the end to brighten flavors and prevent potential bitterness from extended cooking.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 20g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 300mg