Shrimp scampi is a classic Italian-American dish that features shrimp sautéed in a buttery garlic sauce, often served with pasta or crusty bread. It’s a simple and delicious way to enjoy seafood, but did you know you can give it a tropical twist with some Caribbean flavors

Ingredients:

– 1 pound of large shrimp, peeled and deveined

– 2 tablespoons of olive oil

– 1/2 teaspoon of salt

– 2 teaspoons of lime zest

– 4 garlic cloves, grated or minced

– 1 shallot, minced

– 1 habanero pepper, seeds removed and finely chopped

– 1/2 cup of dry white wine, such as pinot grigio

– 1 teaspoon of less sodium soy sauce

– 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cut into pieces

– 3 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro

– 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice

To make this shrimp scampi Caribbean style, follow these easy steps:

1. In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, salt, lime zest, and half of the garlic. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to marinate.

2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the remaining olive oil. Add the shallot, habanero pepper, and the remaining garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes.

3. Add the wine and soy sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes.

4. Add the butter and stir until melted and smooth.

5. Add the shrimp and cook, turning once, until pink and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.

6. Stir in the cilantro and lime juice and remove from the heat.

7. Serve hot with your choice of pasta, rice, or bread.

Here are some tips and variations to make this shrimp scampi Caribbean style even better:

– For more heat, leave some seeds in the habanero pepper or use more than one pepper.

– For more flavor, add some grated ginger or cumin to the marinade or the sauce.

– For more color, add some diced red bell pepper or cherry tomatoes to the sauce.

– For more texture, sprinkle some toasted coconut flakes or chopped peanuts over the dish.

I hope you enjoy this shrimp scampi Caribbean style as much as I do. It’s a great way to spice up your seafood routine and impress your guests with a unique and flavorful dish. Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Photo by Farhad Ibrahimzade