Description
Mediterranean shrimp bake offers a delectable fusion of flavors from coastal regions. Crisp breadcrumb topping and succulent shrimp create a memorable dining experience you’ll savor with each delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lb (907 g) medium shrimp, shelled and deveined, shells reserved
- 3 cups heavy cream
- 5 tbsps unsalted butter (4 tbsps melted)
- ¼ cup dry sherry
- 6 medium scallions, minced (white and tender green parts)
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ tsp sweet paprika
- Salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- Hot sauce (to taste)
- 4 cups small oyster crackers
Instructions
- Butter Preparation: Lavishly coat a glass baking dish with butter, ensuring shrimp can spread in a single, elegant layer. Refrigerate the prepared dish to maintain ingredient integrity.
- Cream Infusion: Combine shrimp shells, heavy cream, and dry sherry in a saucepan. Introduce a whisper of salt and bring to a vigorous boil. Simmer for 25 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize completely.
- Cream Refinement: Strain the infused cream through a sieve, collecting exactly 2 1/2 cups of liquid gold. In a skillet, melt butter and sauté scallions until translucent, about 3 minutes.
- Flavor Concentration: Pour strained cream into the scallion-laden skillet. Reduce liquid to 2 cups, intensifying the aromatic essence. Remove from heat and elevate with lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, black pepper, and hot sauce. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Cracker Transformation: Pulverize oyster crackers within a sealed bag using a rolling pin. Transfer coarse crumbs to a mixing bowl and marry with melted butter and paprika until perfectly combined.
- Thermal Preparation: Ignite the oven to 400°F, positioning the rack centrally. Season shrimp with salt and pepper, then cascade the cooled cream mixture generously overtop.
- Culinary Assembly: Distribute the seasoned cracker crumbs evenly, creating a tantalizing textural landscape. Bake for 25 minutes until the dish bubbles with anticipation and shrimp reach perfect doneness.
- Final Flourish: Execute a swift 30-second broil to transform the topping into a golden, crispy masterpiece.
Notes
- Butter Coating Technique: Ensure even, smooth butter coverage in the baking dish to prevent shrimp from sticking and enhance flavor absorption.
- Cream Infusion Secret: Simmering shrimp shells in cream develops a rich, deep seafood essence that elevates the entire dish’s complexity.
- Crumb Coating Pro Tip: Crush oyster crackers consistently to create an even, crunchy topping that provides perfect textural contrast to tender shrimp.
- Temperature Precision: Maintain exact oven temperature and rack placement to guarantee shrimp cook evenly without becoming rubbery or overcooked.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 26 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 210 mg