CREAMY GARLIC BUTTER TUSCAN SHRIMP

PREP TIME: 5 mins | COOK TIME: 15 mins | TOTAL TIME: 20 mins | SERVES: 4 people

This creamy garlic butter Tuscan shrimp is loaded with incredible flavors! It is the perfect weeknight meal that you can whip up easily and quickly. You can serve this over rice or steamed veggies. If you want to enjoy this with pasta, throw in the cooked pasta along with 1/4 c of the pasta water into the pan with the shrimp and toss gently as it cooks.

INGREDIENTS :

• 1 lb (500 grams) shrimp (or prawns), tails on or off
• 6 cloves garlic, finely diced
• 2 tbsp salted butter
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 5 ounces (150 g) jarred sun-dried tomato strips in oil, drained (reserve 1 tsp of the jarred oil for cooking)
• 1/2 c. white wine (OPTIONAL)
• 1 3/4 c. half and half
• 3 c. baby spinach leaves, washed
• 2/3 c. fresh grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tsp dried Italian herbs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tsp cornstarch (cornflour) mixed with 1 tablespoon of water (optional)

DIRECTIONS :

Step 1: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Then, add the garlic and cook for about a minute until aromatic. Next, add the shrimp and continue to cook for another 2 minutes per side or until just cooked through and pink. To a bowl, transfer the cooked shrimp and garlic. Set aside.

Step 2: In the same skillet, cook the onion in the remaining butter. Add the white wine (optional) and cook until reduced by half, scraping the bits off the bottom of the pan. Then, add the sun-dried tomatoes and continue to cook for 1 to 2 minutes more.

Step 3: Adjust the heat to low-medium before adding the half-and-half. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, stirring often. To taste, season with salt and pepper.

Step 4: To the skillet, add the spinach leaves and let them wilt in the sauce. Next, add the Parmesan cheese. Let the sauce simmer for a minute more or until the cheese has melted. If you want a thicker sauce, add the milk/cornstarch mixture to the middle of the pan and simmer while stirring quickly until the sauce has thickened.

Step 5: Return the shrimp to the pan and stir in the herbs and parsley.

Step 6: Serve the creamy garlic butter Tuscan shrimp right away over rice, pasta, or steamed veggies. Enjoy!

NOTES:

• In place of half-and-half, you can use half, light cream and half, 2% milk (if you are worried about fat counts & calories, you can use full fat). Or light cream or heavy cream. You can even sub half-and-half with almond milk.
• If you want to serve this with pasta, add the cooked pasta along with 1/4 c of the reserved pasta water into the pan with the shrimp. Mix gently as it cooks. Serve right away.

NUTRITION FACTS:

Calories: 403 kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 332mg | Sodium: 1346mg | Potassium: 1531mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 3055IU | Vitamin C: 32.6mg | Calcium: 432mg | Iron: 6.8mg