Italian Shrimp Scampi

Main Course

Recipe courtesy of Big Flavors from Italian-American Kitchens

Serves

Ingredients: 
  • 3 tablespoons table salt for brining 
  • 2 tablespoons sugar 
  • 1½ pounds (16 to 20 per pound). peeled, deveined, tails removed, shells reserved 
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. divided 1 cup dry white wine 
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme 
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice plus lemon wedges for serving
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch 
  • 8 garlic cloves, sliced thin 
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes 
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper 
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch pieces 
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

Italian Shrimp Scampi

Italian Shrimp Scampi

Click image to enlarge

Method: 

Dissolve salt and sugar n 1 quart cold water in a large container. Submerge shrimp, cover, and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Remove shrimp from brine and pat dry with paper towels.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 12-inch skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add shrimp shells and cook, stirring frequently, until they begin to turn spotty brown and skillet starts to brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Off heat, carefully add wine and thyme sprigs. When bubbling subsides. return skillet to med um heat and simmer gently, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Strain mixture through colander set over large bowl. Discard shells and reserve liquid (you should have

about ⅔ cup). Wipe skillet clean with paper towels.

Combine lemon juice and cornstarch in a small bowl and set aside. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil, garlic, pepper flakes, and pepper in now-empty skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic Is fragrant and just beginning to brown at edges, 3 to 5 minutes. Add reserved wine mixture, increase heat to high, and bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium, add shrimp, cover, and cook, stirring occa­sionally, until shrimp are just opaque, 5 to 7 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and, using a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to bowl.

Return skillet to medium heat, add lemon juice/cornstarch mixture and cook until slightly thickened, 1 minute. Off heat, whisk in butter and parsley until combined. Return shrimp and any accumulated juices to skillet and toss to combing. Serve, passing lemon wedges separately.


 

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