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Shrimp scampi
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Shrimp scampi

Shrimp scampi: Italian-American prawns in garlic, butter, white wine and lemon over linguine

Shrimp scampi is an Italian-American restaurant classic from the East Coast, especially New York and New Jersey, a quick weeknight pasta or a Friday-night date dish. Large prawns are seared briefly, then tossed with plenty of garlic, chilli flakes, butter, white wine, lemon and parsley, and twirled through linguine so the glossy sauce clings to every strand. The dish uses wine, which is simmered briefly so some alcohol remains; for an alcohol-free version use the same amount of chicken or vegetable stock with an extra tsp of lemon juice. The usual mistake is overcooking the prawns into rubbery curls: they need only 2–3 minutes until pink and opaque all the way through. Buy raw prawns that smell of the sea; throw away any that smell of ammonia or feel slimy. Chef's tip: add the butter off the heat in cold cubes and swirl the pan; it emulsifies into a creamy sauce instead of turning greasy.

Prep
10 min
Cook
15 min
Difficulty
Easy
Serves
4
Per serving
580 kcal
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Ingredients

Serves4

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Method

0/6 done
  1. Step 1: Cook 14 oz linguine in a big pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 9 minutes. Keep a cup of the cooking water before draining.

    9 min
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile pat 1 ⅛ lb large raw prawns dry and season with ½ tsp salt. Heat 1 ½ tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat and sear the prawns for 1 minute per side, until just pink. Lift out; they will finish later.

    2 min
  3. Step 3: Lower the heat to medium, add the rest of 3 tbsp olive oil, 6 cloves garlic and ½ tsp chilli flakes and cook for 1 minute until the garlic is pale gold, not brown.

    1 min
  4. Step 4: Pour in ½ cup dry white wine and simmer for 2 minutes until reduced by half. Add the lemon zest and juice from 1 lemon.

    2 min
  5. Step 5: Return the prawns and simmer for 1 minute until pink and opaque all the way through. Take the pan off the heat and swirl in 2 ⅛ oz cold butter until creamy.

    1 min
  6. Step 6: Add the drained linguine, 4 tbsp fresh parsley and a splash of pasta water and toss until glossy. Serve at once.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
580 kcal
Protein
32 g
Carbs
74 g
Fat
18 g
Fibre
3 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does shrimp scampi take?
About 25 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 15 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
What can I use instead of garlic?
½ tsp garlic paste or ⅛ tsp garlic powder per clove.
What can I use instead of dry white wine?
Stock with 1 tsp white wine vinegar per 120ml (½ cup).

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