Introduction

Indulging in a delicious meal, which requires little effort to prepare, is one of the straightforward joys of life.

If you’re looking for an easy, delicious seafood dish to add to your repertoire, look no further than shrimp scampi. This classic Italian dish can be made with simple ingredients and is perfect for a quick weeknight meal. In this recipe, we’ll show you how to make shrimp scampi with rice – it’s the perfect one-pot meal!

Ingredients 

1 tablespoon of olive oil

3 cloves of minced garlic

1/2 cup of white rice

1/4 cup of white wine or water

Salt and pepper to taste

1 pound of shrimp (peeled and deveined)

2 tablespoons of butter or margarine

Shredded Parmesan cheese (for garnish)

Instructions 

1. Heat a large skillet on medium-high heat, and add olive oil, garlic, and rice. Cook until garlic is fragrant, constantly stirring with a wooden spoon. Add wine/water, cover with a lid and reduce heat to low. Cook for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid.

2. While the rice cooks, heat another large skillet to medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of butter or margarine. Melt butter/margarine, add shrimp, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Stir shrimp around in one direction over heat for 3-5 minutes until it turns pink (turning constantly will result in rubbery shrimp).

3. To serve, place rice on a plate and top with shrimp. Garnish with cheese and serve immediately.

Variations 

1. Shrimp scampi can also be made with lobster meat. Change the garlic to 2 cloves of minced shallots, and increase the wine/water to 1/2 cup.

2. Increase the temperature of the shrimp to medium and reduce cooking time for an intense-tasting shrimp scampi.

3. You can also cook shrimp scampi in a pan with a cover. Follow the same recipe as above, but add the rice and water to an uncovered skillet. Place the skillet with rice on the burner, turn the heat up to high, and cover with a lid for about 2 minutes until the water begins to boil (keep the lid slightly ajar); turn off the heat and let it sit for 15 minutes before adding other ingredients.

Benefits of  Rice For Shrimp Scampi 

1. This dish is a source of protein, providing more than 10 grams per serving.

2. It’s very high in fiber and is an excellent food for those following a low-carb diet.

3. This dish is low in sodium, so it’s a good choice for those on a low-sodium diet.

4. Rice for shrimp scampi is also rich in potassium and has one of the highest amounts of magnesium available per serving.

5. The iron content in this dish is also very high, making it a good choice for those with anemia.

Nutritional Information

1. This dish is low in fat and cholesterol. 

2. It offers high amounts of fiber and carbohydrates, making it an excellent meal for those who want to lose weight or follow a low-carb diet without depriving themselves of good-tasting food. 

3. Shrimp scampi provides more than 10 grams of protein per serving.

4. It is also very rich in vitamin C.

5. This dish is also rich in iron, making it great for those suffering from anemia.

6. Shrimp scampi offers high amounts of vitamin B-12, which is necessary for properly functioning the brain and nervous system.

Cooking Tips 

1. Use fresh or frozen shrimp when making this dish. If using frozen shrimp, place shrimp in a colander and let them thaw under running water for 3-5 minutes or until defrosted; do not use thawed frozen shrimp that has been sitting at room temperature for more than one hour.

2. It is essential to pay close attention when cooking shrimp using this method. The shrimp must be cooked to perfection!

3. Do not overcook the shrimp. Before serving, cook the rice according to your preference and add salt and pepper as desired; mix well before serving.

4. If possible, cook the shrimp with the rice in one pan and let the rice finish cooking in another skillet on a hot stovetop with melted butter or margarine (cooking time varies depending on how long it took the rice to finish cooking).

5.  If you are using frozen shrimp, thaw them out by defrosting them in a colander set in a bowl of water; let them defrost for 3-5 minutes under running water until they’re fully defrosted.

6. To add more flavor, cook the rice with the shrimp for about 20 minutes on low heat for a savory, spicy dish. Serve with Parmesan cheese and crumbled bacon on top.

Serving Suggestions

1. This dish can be served hot or cold as an appetizer, salad, main course or side dish.

2. The rice can also be served as a side dish to pasta dishes that include chicken, fish, or vegetables.

3. Serve shrimp scampi with a side of pasta or a green salad

4. It can also be served over rice, quinoa, polenta, or couscous.

5. Serve with a side of fresh vegetables, such as asparagus, broccoli, or Brussels sprouts.

6. Shrimp scampi can also be served over linguine tossed in olive oil and lemon juice.

7. Serve shrimp scampi over toast points as an appetizer

8. Serve shrimp scampi with a side of garlic bread or crostini as an appetizer or with dinner.

9. Serve over a bed of steamed spinach for additional nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

10. It can also be served as part of a seafood platter alongside other seafood in dishes such as lobster scampi, crab cakes, and blackened fish

Conclusion

There are many variations of shrimp scampi. Shrimp scampi is easy to make, but you must be careful when cooking it because it cooks very quickly!