Ouzo Shrimp Recipes

OUZO SHRIMP

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add onions and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are tender but not browned.
• Stir in tomatoes,parsley,oregano,salt, pepper, and sugar.
• Simmer, uncovered,over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• *Can be made ahead to this point. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
• In a large bowl, combine shrimp and lemon juice and toss until well coated; set aside.
• In a medium saucepan heat 2 quarts of water to boiling.
• Drain shrimp and drop into boiling water.
• Return water to a boil (shrimp should just be turning pink); drain shrimp.
• Place shrimp in a bowl and pour ouzo over them.
• *Can be prepared ahead to this point. Cover and refrigerate up to 12 hours.
• In a large skillet heat the tomato sauce.
• Add cooked shrimp and ouzo; continue cooking just until shrimp are heated through.
• Transfer to individual ramekins or dishes, sprinkle with cheese, and serve immediately.

SHRIMP WITH A YUZU DRESSING

Steps:

• For the batter: Combine the beer, vodka and soda water in a medium bowl. Slowly whisk in the flour, paprika and baking soda. The batter should be fairly thick but also easy to stir. If a little loose, whisk in a little more flour. If too thick, add a splash of soda water. Do not overmix. Set aside on the counter for 15 to 20 minutes.
• For the yuzu dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and yuzu juice. Whisk in the mustard, paprika and lemon zest and set aside.
• For the shrimp: Pour the oil into a heavy-bottomed pot. Heat the oil to 320 degrees F, using a deep-frying thermometer to monitor the temperature. Put a wire rack into a rimmed baking sheet.
• Arrange the Bibb lettuce in an overlapping circle in a large shallow serving bowl or platter.
• Once the oil reaches 320 degrees F, add the lemon slices and fry until crispy and lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to the rack over the baking sheet with a slotted spoon. Fry the basil (take care as it can splatter when it hits the oil) until crispy, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to the same rack. Season with salt.
• Raise the oil temperature to 350 degrees F.
• Add the shrimp to the batter to coat. Transfer the shrimp to the oil in batches with a slotted spoon, holding the spoon just over the oil and carefully dropping them in one by one to prevent clumping and splashing. Fry each batch until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer them to the rack; raise the oil temperature back to 350 degrees F between batches.
• Drizzle the shrimp with some of the yuzu sauce and immediately spoon the shrimp into the center of the bowl of lettuce. Sprinkle with the fried lemon and basil leaves. Top with the remaining yuzu dressing to taste.

ROASTED SHRIMP AND ORZO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Fill a large pot with water, add 1 tablespoon of salt and a splash of oil, and bring the water to a boil. Add the orzo and simmer for 9 to 11 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it's cooked al dente. Drain and pour into a large bowl. Whisk together the lemon juice, 1/2 cup olive oil, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon of pepper. Pour over the hot pasta and stir well.
• Meanwhile, place the shrimp on a sheet pan, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss to combine and spread out in a single layer. Roast for 5 to 6 minutes, until the shrimp are cooked through. Don't overcook!
• Add the shrimp to the orzo and then add the scallions, dill, parsley, cucumber, onion, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Toss well. Add the feta and stir carefully. Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to allow the flavors to blend, or refrigerate overnight. If refrigerated, taste again for seasonings and bring back to room temperature before serving.

SHRIMP SCAMPI WITH ORZO

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together shrimp, 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon zest, red-pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and half the garlic. Set aside to marinate. (This step can be done up to 1 hour in advance.)
• Add butter, remaining olive oil and remaining garlic to a medium skillet set over medium heat. When the butter starts to bubble, add the orzo and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until the orzo is toasted, about 2 minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent the garlic from burning. Carefully add the wine - it will bubble - and stir until absorbed, about 1 minute. Stir in water, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until orzo is al dente, about 12 minutes.
• Add the shrimp in a snug, even layer on top of the orzo, cover, and cook until all the shrimp is pink and cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, 2 minutes.
• Sprinkle with parsley and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

SHRIMP IN A SKILLET WITH CREAMY TOMATO-OUZO SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Using a sharp paring knife, remove the threadlike vein from the shrimp. Wash, drain, sprinkle with lemon juice, and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• 2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet. When the butter stops bubbling, add the onion and cook over medium-low heat until very soft, or 10 to 12 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or so. While the onion is cooking, pulverize the tomatoes in a food processor until smooth. Add them to the skillet. Cook the tomato-onion mixture over medium heat until thick, about 8 minutes. Add the ouzo and let simmer for another 3 minutes. Drain the shrimp and add them to the skillet. Simmer for about 4 minutes, or until the shrimp firm up and turn pink. Add the cream, season with salt and pepper, and stir well but gently to combine. Just before removing from heat, add the last dab of butter. Serve hot.
• Additional tip from Peter Spyropoulos, executive chef/owner of En Plo restaurant in New York City:
• • Look for an ouzo with a strong anise flavor, such as Boutari, available in many liquor stores.

SHRIMP IN A SKILLET WITH CREAMY TOMATO-OUZO SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Using a sharp paring knife, remove the threadlike vein from the shrimp. Wash, drain, sprinkle with lemon juice, and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• 2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet. When the butter stops bubbling, add the onion and cook over medium-low heat until very soft, or 10 to 12 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or so. While the onion is cooking, pulverize the tomatoes in a food processor until smooth. Add them to the skillet. Simmer for about 4 minutes, or until the shrimp firm up and turn pink. Add the cream, season with salt and pepper, and stir well but gently to combine. Just before removing from heat, add the last dab of butter. Serve hot.
• Additional tip from Peter Spyropoulos, executive chef/owner of En Plo restaurant in New York City:
• • Look for an ouzo with a strong anise flavor, such as Boutari, available in many liquor stores.

FLAMBéED SHRIMP WITH TOMATOES, FETA CHEESE, AND OUZO

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a 12-inch skillet over high heat until just smoking. Meanwhile, pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, and sugar. Add half of the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook, without stirring, until the bottoms of the shrimp turn spotty brown, about 30 seconds. Off the heat, flip the shrimp over, then transfer to a medium bowl and repeat with 1 more tablespoon oil and the remaining shrimp.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil, onion, and 1/2 teaspoon salt to the skillet and cook over medium heat until the onion is softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the tomatoes and 1/2 cup of their juice and cook until thickened slightly, about 2 minutes.
• Stir the reserved shrimp and accumulated juices and ouzo into the skillet. Ignite the ouzo and shake the skillet until the flames subside. Sprinkle with the feta and parsley before serving.
• To flambe on an electric stove, add the ouzo to the pan, wave a lit match over the pan until the ouzo ignites, and then shake the skillet.BE CAREFUL.

SHRIMPS SAGANAKI (GREEK RECIPE)

Steps:

• Bring about 2 inches of water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add the shrimp, the water should just cover them. Boil for 5 minutes, then drain, reserving the liquid, and set aside.
• Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a saucepan. Add the onions; cook and stir until the onions are soft. Mix in the parsley, wine, tomatoes, garlic powder, and remaining olive oil. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 30 minutes, or until the sauce is thickened.
• While the sauce is simmering, the shrimps should have become cool enough to handle. First remove the legs by pinching them, and then pull off the shells, leaving the head and tail on.
• When the sauce is thickened, stir in the shrimp stock and shrimp. Bring to a simmer, and cook for about 5 minutes. Add the feta cheese and remove from the heat. Let stand until the cheese starts to melt. Serve warm.

ONE-POT SHRIMP SCAMPI ORZO

Steps:

• Combine olive oil, lemon zest, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, and dried parsley in a small bowl. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Marinate for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Melt butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Add olive oil. Stir in orzo and onion, toss to coat, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are translucent and orzo is lightly toasted, 4 to 5 minutes. Mix in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Deglaze pot with white wine and stir until wine has cooked off. Pour in chicken broth and season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until orzo is tender yet firm to the bite, 8 to 10 minutes. Add peas and shrimp with marinade to the pot, cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are light pink, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Divide between 2 dishes, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and garnish with lemon slices.

LEMON SHRIMP ORZO

Steps:

• In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook and stir until crisp-tender, 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in broth, orzo and water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, until orzo is al dente, 8-10 minutes., Stir in shrimp, arugula, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until shrimp turn pink, 4-5 minutes. Stir in olives. Sprinkle with feta and basil leaves.

SHRIMP ORZO WITH FETA

Steps:

• Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add tomatoes and lemon juice. Bring to a boil. Stir in shrimp. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until shrimp turn pink, 4-5 minutes., Drain orzo. Add orzo, cilantro and pepper to shrimp mixture; heat through. Sprinkle with feta cheese.