Lidias Shrimp Scampi Recipes

SHRIMP SCAMPI

Steps:

• Combine the shallots, 5 cloves garlic and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a mini food processor. Process to make a smooth paste.
• Pour 6 tablespoons olive oil and the remaining garlic into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Let the garlic sizzle for a minute, then add half of the shrimp and all of the thyme. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until the shrimp are seared but not fully cooked, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining shrimp and another 1/2 teaspoon salt. Remove the shrimp and thyme from the skillet to the plate.
• Add the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil and the garlic-shallot paste to the same skillet set over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the paste has dried out and begins to stick to the bottom of the skillet, 2 to 3 minutes. Return the thyme to the skillet and pour in the white wine, lemon juice, the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, 4 tablespoons butter and 1 cup water. Bring the sauce to a rapid boil and cook until reduced by half, 4 to 5 minutes.
• When the sauce has reduced, whisk in the remaining butter and return the shrimp to the pan. Cook and toss until the shrimp are coated with the sauce and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley. If the sauce still seems too thin, stir in the breadcrumbs and bring to a boil just to thicken. Serve immediately.

SHRIMP SCAMPI

Steps:

• Combine the shallots, five garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a mini-food processor. Process to make a smooth paste.
• Pour 6 tablespoons olive oil and the remaining garlic into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Let the garlic sizzle for a minute, then add half of the shrimp and all of the thyme sprigs. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, and cook until the shrimp are seared but not fully cooked, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to a plate, and repeat with the remaining shrimp and another ½ teaspoon salt. Remove the shrimp and thyme from the skillet to the plate.
• Add the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil and the garlic-shallot paste to the same skillet set over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the paste has dried out and begins to stick to the bottom of the skillet, about 2 to 3 minutes. Return the thyme to the skillet, and pour in the white wine, lemon juice, the remaining 1½ teaspoons salt, 4 tablespoons of the butter, and 1 cup water. Bring the sauce to a rapid boil, and cook until reduced by half, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• When the sauce has reduced, whisk in the remaining butter and return the shrimp to the pan. Cook and toss until the shrimp are coated with the sauce and just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley. If the sauce still seems too thin, stir in the bread crumbs and bring to a boil just to thicken. Serve immediately.

GRILLED SHRIMP SCAMPI

Steps:

• In a large, non-reactive bowl, stir together the olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, and black pepper. Season with crushed red pepper, if desired. Add shrimp, and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
• Preheat grill for high heat. Thread shrimp onto skewers, piercing once near the tail and once near the head. Discard any remaining marinade.
• Lightly oil grill grate. Grill for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until opaque.

JUMBO SHRIMP BUZARA STYLE (BUZARA DE SCAMPI)

Steps:

• Without removing any of the shell, remove the vein (digestive tract) that runs inside the curving back of each shrimp-slice open the back with a sturdy sharp paring knife, cutting through the shell and scrape out the vein; rinse the shrimp and pat dry.
• Pour ¼ cup olive oil into saute pan; set over med-high heat.
• Scatter in the garlic; cook until sizzling, then stir in the shallots.
• When they are sizzling, stir in ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ cup wine.
• Cook/stir frequently, until the wine is nearly completely evaporated and the shallots have softened.
• Drop in the tomato paste and stir it around the pan for a minute, coating the shallots and caramelizing.
• Pour in the rest of the wine, bring to a boil quickly, then add the water and ¼ teaspoon salt, stirring.
• Bring to a boil, then decrease heat and let the sauce bubble gently and reduce for about 5 minutes while you sear the shrimp.
• Add 2 tablespoons olive oil into a wide skillet; place over high heat until very hot.
• Scatter the shrimp in the pan, toss them in the oil, and season with the remaining ½ teaspoon salt.
• Cook for just a minute or slightly longer, until the shells are lightly colored and the flesh underneath is opaque, then turn off the heat.
• With the sauce still bubbling, slide in the seared shrimp and tumble to coat them all with the sauce.
• Stir in the pepper, then bread crumbs-use more crumbs if the sauce is thin.
• Cook for 2 minutes, then turn off the heat.
• Drizzle over the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and incorporate it well, tumbling the shirmp in the pan.
• Sprinkle the parsley on top, and serve immediately.
• Serve with crusty bread to sop up the sauce.