Mary Anne here. As I write this, the wind is positively roaring outside my window; the thermometer has plummeted into the single digits and the windchill factor boasts a cool minus 8. It’s this time of year when my body – revolting against well-intentioned New Year’s resolutions – craves all things butter. And what better way to indulge than with a toasty-hot, buttery dish of scampi?
This is one of those meals that is about as quick to prepare as canned soup, and the variations are practically limitless. I decided to go “Atkins” with my rendition by digging into the dish sans rice or pasta, and it is, like its title, simply shrimp scampi – a mixture of garlic, shallots, olive oil, lemon juice, wine, and sweet butter with a healthy dose of red hot pepper flakes and some fresh cilantro for good measure. Need I say more? Stay warm on these wicked wintry nights!

Simply Scampi
Serves 4
Ingredients:
1 lb large shrimp (about 25 per lb.), peeled and de-veined – $8.99
¼ cup olive oil – stock
1 large shallot, finely chopped (scant ½ cup) – $0.39
4 cloves garlic, minced – stock
¼ to ½ Teaspoon dried red pepper flakes – stock
2 Tablespoons lemon juice – stock
1/3 cup dry white cooking wine – stock
6 Tablespoons sweet butter, sliced – stock
½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped – $0.99
salt and pepper to taste
Grand Total Assuming a Well-Stocked Pantry: $10.38
Total Per Serving: $2.59
Directions:
1. Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan. Over medium-high flame, sauté the shrimp, turning once, until opaque, about 2 minutes total. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked shrimp to a plate and set aside.
2. Add the shallot to the pan and sauté until translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the garlic and continue cooking an additional 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the wine, lemon juice, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Cook over high flame for just a minute or so, stirring constantly.
4. Add the sliced butter to the mixture, stirring until melted and incorporated. Remove from the heat and add the shrimp, tossing well to combine.
5. Divide scampi equally between 4 plates and sprinkle with cilantro.
This should counteract the potato-apple soup I made yesterday. All carbs and I am on a low-carb diet!
I love shrimp scampi, but I don’t think I could eat this without pasta. Or maybe a bed of spinach to soak up all the yummy sauce.
Wow, this looks so yummy! I’m not sure I would be able to resist spooning it over a hefty helping of angel hair pasta!
Going to have to try this for my kids – I think they would love it!
Oh, my gosh. I just finished dinner, I’m stuffed, and all I want is a big plate of shrimp scampi. Probably one of my very favorite ways to prepare shrimp! And fantastic in any weather 🙂
This looks positively delicious! Shrimp Scampi is one of my favorite seafood dishes. How could one resist all those beautiful shrimp dripping in butter!?
simply easy and ohhhhh so good. Why go out to that popular restaurants (RL…wink) when you can make it at home I bet this one will taste better!!! Sat.night dinner is ready for me. Think I may do rice pilaf and toss salad along with this scampi.
Simply sensational!
🙂 Mandy
This recipe is for ME_E ! YUMMIE !xxxooo
Love this meal!
Shrimp scampi is one of my favorites, this looks delicious!
Those shrimp are just the perfect vehicle for that buttery goodness aren’t they?!
This looks ridiculously delicious and as a new reader, I LOVE how you include the prices
in your recipe- really puts the feast in perspective!
I never get tired of shrimp scampi and I would be just fine with a big bowl of shrimp sans pasta or rice! Never tried cilantro with it, I adore cilantro so I ‘m sure I would enjoy it.
Great to sample your blog! and to find a classic like this. We sometime forget about the wonderful old standards. Thanks for the memory. Stay warm & best from Montecito, California (where it is a cold day by our standards maybe 62?)
So glad you found us! And it is certainly cold here on the East coast – a nippy 21 degrees this morning, but we’re promised a warmer week. Enjoy that balmy 62!!
Who needs rice or pasta? I just want a plate full of these gorgeous shrimp! YUM.