Shrimp Scampi Done Right
(with recipe)
Chuck Hayes, Newborn, Georgia - garliclover101@gmail.com
Of all of life’s little pleasures I would have to say that seafood (if it’s done right) is right up there with finding a dollar bill in your pocket that you forgot about, or perhaps catching a wiff of perfume that you remember your 2nd grade teacher wearing; surprising, exciting, transcending all in one. Different scenarios on many levels, but they all send the same chemicals to your brain----sending you to your “happy place”.
Below is a recipe that is one of my wife’s favorites, and since April 27th is her birthday I only feel it appropriate that I honor her in my own little way. It is a combination of my scampi recipe and a “deconstructed” version from The Olive Garden restaurant that she also loves very much.
SHRIMP SCAMPI DONE RIGHT
Serves 4
Ingredients
1-1 Ό lb peeled and deveined shrimp (the larger the better)
Olive oil---enough to coat bottom of pan
Ύ-1 cup fruity white wine (any drinkable Riesling is GREAT)
BIG “squirt” Wish Bone Italian salad dressing (this stuff really is good in this recipe)
1 small can sliced pitted black olives---diced small
3 cloves garlic minced fine or put through a press
1 loaf French or Italian bread cut on an angle---slices toasted
1 stick of UNsalted butter
1 Tb dried oregano or 2 Tb fresh minced
½ tsp fresh ground black pepper
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Chopped flat leaf parsley for garnish
Directions
In a large (12” or better—you want plenty of room in the pan) non-stick skillet over med-high heat place the olive oil, butter, pepper, oregano and garlic in the pan.
Sautι for about 30 seconds (or until you can smell the aroma of the garlic—don’t let the garlic burn!) then add the white wine.
Reduce the liquid by half and add the Italian dressing.
Bring back to light boil and add the shrimp. Cook shrimp until just pink on both sides (flip when necessary).
Toss in diced black olives and incorporate.
Top the scampi with the cheese and mix thoroughly.
On 4 separate plates arrange 3 slices of the toasted bread and top with a shrimp or two and plenty of the liquid and a sprinkling of the parsley. DIG IN!!!! You will notices moans and groans from the dinner guests-----DO NOT BE ALARMED----THIS IS A GOOD THING!!!
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