Cheesy, Buttery Shrimp: A Quick, Easy Delight

Garlic butter shrimp is a versatile, delicious, and healthy meal that can be prepared in less than 20 minutes. The dish is rich in flavour and can be served with pasta, rice, or bread. It is a great source of vitamin D and B, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids. The recipe is simple and easy to follow, making it a perfect choice for a quick and tasty weeknight dinner. The key ingredients are shrimp, butter, and garlic, but additional ingredients such as lemon, wine, and parsley can be added to enhance the flavour and taste.

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Preparing the shrimp

Cleaning and Marination:

Start by cleaning the shrimp thoroughly. Wash them under cold water to remove any dirt or impurities. Cut off the antennae if needed. Devein each shrimp to ensure they are clean. You can then choose to remove the tails or keep them on, depending on your preference. Leaving the tails on can make for a nicer presentation, while removing them makes for easier eating.

Defrosting and Drying:

If you are using frozen shrimp, it is important to defrost them properly. Place the shrimp in a large bowl with cold water for about 15 minutes, then drain them in a colander. Alternatively, you can run them under cold water until completely thawed, which should take about 5-10 minutes. Once defrosted, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is crucial as it ensures the shrimp will brown nicely and evenly when cooked.

Seasoning:

Place the dried shrimp in a large bowl and add your desired seasonings. You can season with salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, Italian seasoning, or red pepper flakes. Toss the shrimp to ensure they are evenly coated with the seasonings. This step adds flavour to the shrimp and can be adjusted to your taste preferences.

Cooking the Shrimp:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add butter or olive oil. Once the butter has melted or the oil is shimmering, add the shrimp to the pan. Cook the shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lead to poor searing and rubbery shrimp. Cook the shrimp undisturbed for about 1 minute on each side, or until they curl up and turn pink and opaque. This should take around 2-3 minutes per side, depending on the size of the shrimp. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they cook quickly.

Final Touches:

Once the shrimp are cooked to your desired doneness, you can add any final ingredients or seasonings. This could include a splash of wine, lemon juice, or fresh herbs like parsley or rosemary. Toss the shrimp to combine all the flavours, and then they are ready to be served!

Cooking the shrimp

Firstly, if you are using frozen shrimp, you will need to defrost them. Place the shrimp in a large bowl with cold water for about 15 minutes, then drain them in a colander. If you are in a hurry, you can run them under cold water until they are completely thawed, which should take about 5-10 minutes.

Next, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels. Place them in a large bowl and sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper (if you like a little heat). Toss to coat the shrimp evenly.

Now you can start cooking. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it melts. You can also add a little olive oil at this stage for extra flavour. Add the shrimp in a single layer and let them cook undisturbed for 1 minute. With tongs or a wide spatula, turn over the shrimp.

At this stage, you can also add some wine and garlic. Cook until the shrimp are no longer translucent and the wine has reduced by half, about 2-3 minutes more. If you are not using wine, simply cook the shrimp for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are pink and opaque.

Finally, stir in the remaining butter and any other ingredients you would like to add, such as lemon juice, Italian seasoning, or fresh herbs like parsley and rosemary. Toss to combine, then serve immediately.

Making the sauce

First, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring occasionally. The garlic should be lightly browned. You can also add some Italian seasoning at this stage. Next, add the shrimp to the skillet and cook until pink and opaque, stirring occasionally. This should take around 3-5 minutes.

At this point, you can add some wine and continue cooking until the wine has reduced by half. Then, remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the remaining butter, adding it a tablespoon at a time until melted and smooth. You can also add some lemon juice at this stage for a tangy flavour. Finally, add the shrimp back into the skillet and toss to combine with the sauce.

The sauce for garlic butter shrimp is a simple yet delicious combination of butter, garlic, and lemon. It is important to work quickly when making this sauce, as the shrimp cooks very quickly. The sauce can be served over pasta, rice, or with crusty bread for dipping.

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Serving suggestions

Garlic butter shrimp is a versatile dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions to get you started:

Rice

Garlic butter shrimp goes well with rice, particularly white rice. You can simply spoon the shrimp and sauce over the rice, or serve them side by side. For a healthier option, you can also use cauliflower rice.

Pasta

This dish also pairs well with pasta. You can toss the garlic butter shrimp with your favourite type of pasta, such as spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair pasta.

Bread

Crusty bread, such as a baguette, is another great option for soaking up the delicious garlic butter sauce. Serve it alongside the shrimp, or use it for dipping.

Vegetables

If you're looking for a healthier option, try serving garlic butter shrimp with grilled or roasted vegetables. Some suggested options include broccoli, broccolini, and asparagus.

Orzo, Polenta, and Quinoa

For something a little different, you can serve garlic butter shrimp over orzo, creamy polenta, or even quinoa. These options provide a variety of textures and flavours that complement the dish.

Appetizer

Garlic butter shrimp also makes a great appetizer or starter. Simply serve the shrimp in small portions, with or without the sauce, and provide plenty of napkins for your guests.

Feel free to get creative with your serving suggestions and experiment with different side dishes and flavours!

Reheating and storing

Allow the garlic butter shrimp to cool completely before storing. To store in the refrigerator, transfer the shrimp to an airtight container and keep it for 3 to 4 days. To freeze garlic butter shrimp for later use, place the cooled shrimp in a freezer bag, removing as much air as possible. It can be frozen for up to 3 months.

When reheating, avoid using the microwave as it can make the shrimp tough and rubbery. Instead, warm the shrimp in a skillet over low heat with a little extra butter or olive oil until heated through. You can also reheat the shrimp in the oven at 325°F, covered in aluminum foil until warmed through.

Frequently asked questions