Description
Spicy lemon herb shrimp recipe brings zesty Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table. Succulent prawns marinate in garlic, chili, and fresh herbs before quick pan-searing. Enjoy this simple, elegant dish that satisfies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) medium to large shrimp, peeled
- 3 garlic cloves, minced (1 tbsp)
- 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary
- 4 oz (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice (from 1 lemon), rinds reserved and sliced
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ tsps hot sauce, such as Tabasco
- ½ tsp coarse salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- 1 tbsp cream (optional)
Instructions
- Skillet Preparation: Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high flame, creating an ideal searing environment for shrimp.
- Shrimp Seasoning: Coat shrimp thoroughly with salt and pepper, ensuring comprehensive flavor coverage.
- Butter Activation: Melt butter until it becomes golden and foamy, establishing a perfect caramelization surface.
- Shrimp Searing: Introduce shrimp to the skillet, cooking 2-3 minutes per side until achieving a crisp, golden-brown exterior with an opaque center.
- Flavor Foundation: Remove shrimp and immediately infuse the same skillet with garlic, rosemary, lemon juice, and lemon rinds, creating an aromatic base.
- Sauce Development: Add Worcestershire sauce, allowing the mixture to simmer and intensify flavors for approximately 10 minutes.
- Sauce Refinement: Strain the mixture, preserving the liquid essence while discarding solid ingredients. Reduce heat and whisk in remaining butter to create a silky, emulsified sauce.
- Optional Enrichment: Incorporate cream to elevate the sauce’s complexity and luxurious texture.
- Final Assembly: Return shrimp to the skillet, gently coating each piece with the herb-infused sauce.
- Presentation: Serve immediately alongside crusty baguette or atop fluffy rice, showcasing the dish’s vibrant flavors and elegant preparation.
Notes
- Optimize Shrimp Selection: Choose fresh, large shrimp with firm texture and mild ocean scent for best flavor and caramelization.
- Master High-Heat Technique: Use a cast-iron or heavy-bottom skillet to achieve consistent, golden-brown sear without burning the delicate shrimp.
- Control Cooking Time: Watch shrimp closely; they cook rapidly and can become rubbery if overcooked, aiming for just 2-3 minutes per side until opaque.
- Enhance Sauce Depth: Whisking butter gradually creates a silky emulsion, transforming the sauce from simple to restaurant-quality with rich, complex flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 23 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg