You will absolutely love this incredibly easy elegant recipe for shrimp scampi that is lightly simmered in a delectable white wine and garlic butter sauce.
Scampi is obviously a European word and more specifically Italian. They are tiny langoustines similar to mini lobsters that can be found all throughout western Europe. Originally, they were cooked in their own juices and served but were later adapted to being cooked with garlic, butter, and wine.
When Italians migrated to the United States scampi was very hard to find so the classic recipe was changed to shrimp and cooked in the same manner the scampi were which led to the name, shrimp scampi. This is very easy to make and is best served up by itself with crusty bread or with pasta.
Ingredients for this recipe:
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 12 finely minced garlic cloves
• 3 pounds peeled and deveined 21/25 shrimp
• ½ cup white wine
• juice of 1 lemon
• 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• sea salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and pepper to taste
Serves 8
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Procedures:
1. Add the olive oil to a large pan or rondeau over low to medium heat and let it get hot for about a minute and then add in and cook the garlic while stirring it, just until you smell it, which takes about 30 to 60 seconds.
2. Pour in the shrimp and stir and cook it for 60 to 90 seconds.
3. Next, add in the white wine and cook for a further 60 to 90 seconds.
4. Finish by stirring in the lemon juice, parsley, butter, sea salt, crushed red pepper flakes, and pepper until combined.
5. Serve with crusty bread or overcooked al dente pasta.
Chef Notes:
Make-Ahead: This recipe is meant to be eaten just as soon as it’s cooked. If it sits too long the shrimp will become overcooked and chewy.
How to Store: Cover and keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can freeze these covered for up to 2 months. Thaw for 1 day in the refrigerator before reheating.
How to Reheat: Add the desired amount of shrimp scampi to a large frying pan over medium to high heat and quickly cook until warmed. You can also cook in the microwave until hot, but this method will tend to overcook the shrimp scampi much quicker.
You can also add in fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, chives, or thyme if you would like to slightly alter the flavor.
This recipe makes quite a bit so feel free to scale down to make it work for you. Figure 4-6 ounces of shrimp per person to serve.
You can cook this recipe over higher heat, but it will risk overcooking the shrimp.
When the shrimp are done cooking, they will be in the shape of a C and if it is a very tight and firm C, it is most likely overcooked.
If you do not want to use wine then substitute in some chicken stock.
