Welcome, Seafoodies! 

We’ve all been there—it’s a busy weeknight, meal planning went out the window days in the past and you end up desperately rummaging via the again of the freezer hoping one thing edible will emerge. Often, this freezer-diving mission results in dinnertime dread and resigned sighs about “making do” with no matter’s accessible. However what if that forgotten bag of shrimp may truly save the day?

That’s precisely the place our garlicky shrimp scampi is available in! However earlier than we get to the recipe that’ll treatment any case of the frequent “What’s-for-dinner-now dilemma,” right here’s a enjoyable meals truth you may share with the household as you pile up their plates. In Italian, scampi refers to tiny, lobster-like crustaceans (often known as langoustines) native to the Mediterranean and North Atlantic. When Italian immigrants settled in America, they maintained their conventional scampi preparation however substituted regionally ample shrimp for the hard-to-find langoustines. So technically, “shrimp scampi” actually interprets to “shrimp langoustines,” however today, the time period has advanced to imply that impossible to resist mixture of butter, garlic, white wine and herbs that makes pasta sing. And what YOU are about to grasp with just a little assist from our newest recipe! 

To make issues even higher, you may seize contemporary shrimp from the seafood counter or defrost that forgotten freezer bag—it doesn’t matter what you favor, this recipe works equally effectively with each. No want for panic or resignation a couple of “lesser” meal—scampi was actually invented as an adaptation, making it excellent for no matter shrimp state of affairs you’re dealing with.

As pasta water heats, sauté your shrimp with beneficiant garlic, splash in white wine (or hen broth in case you don’t have any leftover wine mendacity round), then end with vibrant lemon juice and shaved Parmesan. In roughly twenty minutes, dinner transforms from “I suppose this may do” to “When did I change into this good at cooking?!”

You recognize we’re all the time seafood champions at coronary heart, however let’s give garlic its full second right here too. As a result of past creating unimaginable aroma and style, it brings respectable dietary credentials! Immune help, anti-inflammatory properties and cardiovascular advantages—to call a couple of. Mixed with shrimp’s lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids, you’ll be constructing a meal that nourishes as a lot because it satisfies.

We’ve additionally seen one thing attention-grabbing in our check kitchens: this recipe acts as a gateway for increasing younger palates. Little ones are sometimes already snug with buttery noodles and discover the leap to scampi manageable—the acquainted base stays, simply enhanced with tender shrimp and a enjoyable new taste. Even notoriously selective eaters typically shock themselves by requesting seconds.

So right here’s that ultimate reminder that constraints don’t need to imply compromise—they’ll spark precisely the type of pleasant creativity that turns a typical Tuesday evening into one thing memorable for the entire desk. 

Now, seize your fork and get to twirling some shrimp and pasta! 

Print

• 12 oz. whole-wheat linguini (for gluten-free model, go for gluten-free or zucchini noodles)
• 4 cups child spinach
• 3 tsp. olive oil, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lb. uncooked shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails eliminated
• ½ tsp. crushed pink pepper flakes
• ¼ cup dry white wine (can substitute hen broth)
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp. lemon zest
• Chopped parsley, to style
• Freshly shaved Parmesan cheese, to style (non-compulsory)
• Sea salt and black pepper, to style

1. Cook dinner noodles based on directions. (Whereas noodles are cooking, see step 2, under, for getting ready shrimp in garlic sauce.) After draining pasta, shortly return it to pot and stir in spinach and 1 tsp. olive oil, permitting sizzling pasta to wilt spinach.
2. Whereas pasta is cooking, warmth 1 tsp. olive oil in giant skillet on medium-high. Add garlic and prepare dinner for 1 minute. Then add shrimp, pink pepper flakes and a touch of salt and pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, or till shrimp is pink on each side. Add white wine or hen broth, plus lemon juice and zest. Cook dinner for an additional minute or two, then take away from warmth.
3. Add shrimp combination to pasta in pot. Stir in parsley and remaining 1 tsp. olive oil; toss to combine. Serve garnished with Parmesan, if desired.

• Writer: Dish on Fish
• Prep Time: 5
• Cook dinner Time: 15