Italian American Shrimp Food

SHRIMP SCAMPI

Steps:

• Combine the shallots, five garlic cloves, and 2 tablespoons of the oil in a mini-food processor. Process to make a smooth paste.
• Pour 6 tablespoons olive oil and the remaining garlic into a large skillet over medium-high heat. Let the garlic sizzle for a minute, then add half of the shrimp and all of the thyme sprigs. Season with ½ teaspoon salt, and cook until the shrimp are seared but not fully cooked, about 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to a plate, and repeat with the remaining shrimp and another ½ teaspoon salt. Remove the shrimp and thyme from the skillet to the plate.
• Add the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil and the garlic-shallot paste to the same skillet set over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until the paste has dried out and begins to stick to the bottom of the skillet, about 2 to 3 minutes. Return the thyme to the skillet, and pour in the white wine, lemon juice, the remaining 1½ teaspoons salt, 4 tablespoons of the butter, and 1 cup water. Bring the sauce to a rapid boil, and cook until reduced by half, about 4 to 5 minutes.
• When the sauce has reduced, whisk in the remaining butter and return the shrimp to the pan. Cook and toss until the shrimp are coated with the sauce and just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the parsley. If the sauce still seems too thin, stir in the bread crumbs and bring to a boil just to thicken. Serve immediately.

ITALIAN AMERICAN SHRIMP

Steps:

• Pour the olive oil into a large Dutch oven over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the garlic, let sizzle for a minute, then add the celery and carrot. Cook and stir until the vegetables are softened, about 5 minutes. Pour in the tomatoes, then slosh out the can with 1 cup hot water and add that as well. Season the sauce with the oregano and peperoncino, bring to a rapid simmer, and cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Toss the scallions, mushrooms, zucchini, bell pepper, and salt into the pot. Bring the sauce to a simmer, and cook until the sauce is thickened and the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes more.
• Stir in the shrimp. Simmer until they are pink and just cooked through, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the basil, and serve as I like to do, over rice, pasta, or even polenta.