Simple Scampi

 Shrimp Scampi made Simple - Since I decided to restart this process, I took the time as I was making dinner. Scampi with beautiful Argentine prawns that were on sale at the grocery store. Yes, I do look for sales. 

This is a very simple recipe that I have made multiple time. The interesting part is you can make this on the stove or in the over. Today it was the stove, but when we are done I will explain the over process.

The Ingredients

Not alot of ingredients to make this:

1/2 - 1 lb Shrimp or Prawns. For these I estimated 4 per person, but in reality I ate 5. They were that good.

Salt and Pepper

3 cloves garlic

2 Tablespoons dried Italian seasoning (Yes I do use dried ingredients if you want fresh feel free)

1 stick butter (you can use 1/2 stick if you are watching your weight). I have also used margarine but it is not quite the same flavor.

1 Lemon

A bottle of white wine - I like Pinot Grigio 

Optional-

Pasta - Angel Hair, Fettuccini, or any similar type

Rice

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

I have used them all and even none just eat the prawns as is. They melt in your mouth.

First off, clean and devein the prawns. I pull the entire shell off as I still believe getting them in a restaurant with the tail is ridiculous. It forces you to eat with your hands to more the tail. Think about sitting at a nice restaurant with white table cloth and there you are manually pulling the tail off. I know you can cut it, but the meat inside is still delicious. Take my advice, remove the tails before cooking. Your family or guests will love you.

If you bought the prawns frozen or still with ice around them lay them on a paper towel for a couple minutes to soak up the water.

Now the most important step to the process.

Pour yourself a glass of wine to enjoy while you are cooling. Remember, everything is better with Wine or Chocolate.

Next you need to rough chop the garlic cloves. 

Lightly salt and pepper the prawns and set aside until ready to cook.

Now place a pan on the stove and set it just below medium to warm pam up. 

Add about a tablespoon of olive oil then once warmed up, add the garlic

Let the garlic heat up and start spreading it out. You really just want the garlic softened. It takes only about 2-3 mins.

Now add the stick of butter to the pan. 

As the butter melts keep stirring some so nothing burns on the bottom

Once the butter is almost melted add half the Italian seasoning. Stir gently to incorporate with the butter.

Next you want to add the juice of the lemon, for 1/2 lb of prawns use 1/2 a lemon.

Bring it to a light simmer and stir

Now lay the prawns in the pan so they are separate from each other.

Next you can dust the rest of the Italian seasoning over the prawns in the pan.

Turn the heat up just above Medium

After about 2 mins you can turn over the prawns

Now add about 1/4 cup of the wine (and you thought it was only for drinking)

Sauté for about another 2 mins until the prawns are down (They will be "C" shaped")

Remove the prawns and set them aside and continue letting the sauce cook for about 2-3 more mins to cook off the rest of the wine.

That is the Scampi recipe for the Prawns. 

I made fettuccini to go with it, once the pasta was done, I added it to the sauce

 

Stir the pasta into the sauce and right before serving  add the prawns back in

Stir the pawns into the pasta and the sauce

Now you are ready to serve

Enjoy!

I mentioned you can make this in the over too. Well, the prawns in the oven.

Take a baking sheet and place the butter and chopped garlic plus 1/2 the Italian seasoning on the pan. 

Place it in the oven at 350 degrees for about 5 mins until the butter is melted.

Take the pan out, squeeze the lemon juice over the pan, then add the prawns. 

Now return the pan to the over for about 5 mins. You can check them at this point to see if they are done. If not, you can turn them or just return to the oven for another 1-2 mins.

Simple Scampi with Argentine Prawns

Prep: 10 mins | Cook: 15 mins | Total: 25 mins | Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

• 1/2 - 1 lb Shrimp or Prawns (4-5 per person)
• Salt and Pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 Tbsp dried Italian seasoning
• 1 stick butter (or 1/2 stick)
• 1 Lemon (juiced)
• 1/4 cup white wine (Pinot Grigio)
• Optional: Pasta, rice, or garlic mashed potatoes

Instructions

1. Clean and devein prawns (remove shells/tails). Pat dry if frozen.
2. Sauté garlic in olive oil for 2-3 mins. Add butter and half the seasoning.
3. Squeeze in lemon juice, then add prawns. Dust with remaining seasoning.
4. Cook 2 mins per side. Add wine and cook until prawns are "C"-shaped.
5. Remove prawns, reduce sauce for 2-3 mins. Serve over pasta or as-is.

Oven Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Melt butter, garlic, and 1/2 seasoning on a baking sheet (5 mins).
2. Add lemon juice, remaining seasoning and prawns. Bake 5 mins, then check doneness.