Succulent Shrimp Scampi

We had our friends Sarah and Mark over for dinner the other week and we

wanted to prepare something easy that didn’t require having to stop at the

supermarket for ingredients. I like to resort to an easy gourmet food recipe that

only needs a few fresh ingredients that will make the dish really pop! The Shrimp

Scampi that we prepared is full of flavor from the butter, garlic, tomatoes, lemon,

and basil tossed together with angel hair pasta and a whopping mound of shrimp.

It goes perfectly well with a nice glass of white wine. The only thing I regret is not

making more so everyone can have seconds!

We sauteed 1 lb. of 31/40 shrimp that has been peeled and deveined in 1/4

cup of extra virgin olive oil. It should take about 2 minutes on each side for the

shrimp to cook through. Transfer the shrimp to a large bowl and set aside.

In the same skillet, add 5-6 garlic cloves that has been minced (or pressed

through the garlic press). Next, add 1/2 tsp dried hot red-pepper flakes.

Next, add 1/2 cup dry white wine, 1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook

over high heat for about 1 minute. Finally, add 5 tbsp butter to the pan until it

melts.

Now add in 1 cup of diced tomatoes, zest of 1 lemon, and the juice of half

the lemon.

Finally, add in the 3/4 lb of cooked angel hair pasta and the shrimp and toss

evenly to coat. If you plan to use more pasta, then increase the ingredients for the

sauce. Another tip: reserve 1 cup pasta-cooking water and add it to the mixture to

keep it moist, if necessary. We didn't have to use the pasta water since we had

the extra liquids coming from the tomatoes and lemon juice.

And don't forget your fresh basil! If you don't have basil, you can substitute for

flat-leaf parsley.

Now you can plate the Shrimp Scampi and sprinkle with some grated Parmesan

cheese to make it look like it took more work to make than it really was! This is a

great go-to recipe when you plan to have guests over last-minute. These

ingredients should be things you already have in the kitchen, so it makes it that

much easier to prepare. Grab your fork and dig in to this lovely elegant meal!

Succulent Shrimp Scampi

Serves 4

Ingredients

3/4 lb. angel hair pasta

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 lb. peeled and deveined large shrimp (raw: 31 to 40 per lb.)

4-5 large garlic cloves, minced, or forced through the garlic press

1/2 tsp dried hot red-pepper flakes

1/2 cup dry white wine

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

5 tbsp unsalted butter

1 cup diced tomatoes

1 tsp lemon zest

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 cup chopped fresh basil

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cook angel hair pasta just until al dente.

2. Heat olive oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet and sauté shrimp, about 2 minutes on

each side. Then transfer with a slotted spoon to a large bowl and set aside.

3. In the same skillet, add garlic, red pepper flakes, wine, salt, and pepper and

cook over high heat, about 1 minute.

4. Add butter to the pan and stir until melted.

5. Add in diced tomatoes, lemon zest, and lemon juice.

6. Toss in angel hair pasta and shrimp and evenly coat with the butter sauce.

7. Turn off the heat and add chopped basil and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

8. Serve immediately.

Tip: Reserve about 1 cup of cooked pasta water and add it to the sauce to keep

the pasta moist, if necessary.

Source: http://thefoodaddicts.com/succulent-shrimp-scampi/