Lifestyle
Celebrate Shrimp Scampi Day with a classic recipe
National Shrimp Scampi Day invites everyone to indulge in this delicious seafood dish known for its rich flavours.
Today is National Shrimp Scampi Day! “Scampi” refers to a type of crustacean akin to small lobsters found in Italy. Italian cooks traditionally prepared scampi with garlic, butter, and white wine – a method that evolved to use shrimp as a substitute, giving birth to the beloved dish known today as shrimp scampi.
This recipe stays true to the simplicity of shrimp scampi, highlighting fresh ingredients and straightforward cooking techniques.
Ingredients
- 450 grams of large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 60 grams of butter
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 120 ml of dry white wine
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- A small handful of parsley, finely chopped (about 30 grams)
- Red pepper flakes, optional
- Cooked pasta or crusty bread, for serving
Method
- Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt half of the butter (30 grams).
- Place the shrimp in the skillet in a single layer. Fry for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Remove them from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the remaining butter and the minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic releases its fragrance but does not brown. Pour in the white wine and turn up the heat to bring the mixture to a simmer. Let the wine reduce by half, which should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and chopped parsley. Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Stir well to coat the shrimp in the sauce.
- Dish up the shrimp scampi over freshly cooked pasta or alongside crusty bread to absorb the sauce. Garnish with extra parsley.