Description
Indulge in the exquisite flavors of Shrimp Orzo in a zesty Lemon Garlic Sauce. Learn how to create this delicious seafood dish with our easy recipe!
Ingredients
- – 1 1/2 cups (355 ml) orzo pasta
- – 2 lb (907 g) large shrimp, cleaned and deveined
- – 1 shallot, diced
- – 3 garlic cloves, minced
- – 1 cup (240 ml) fruit juice
- – 3 cups (720 ml) vegetable or chicken broth. For cooking the orzo. You can also use equal amounts of water. See recipe notes.
- – 1/2 cup (120 ml) fresh parsley leaves, chopped
- – 2 lemons, juiced and zested
- – 7 tablespoons (100 g) butter
- – 1 tablespoon (15 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- – freshly ground pepper
- – sea salt
- – red chili flakes
Instructions
- Place the shrimp in a medium bowl and combine with a tablespoon of olive oil, a teaspoon of lemon zest, a pinch of red chili flakes, half a teaspoon of sea salt, freshly ground pepper, and one minced garlic clove. Allow it to marinate. (This can be prepared up to an hour ahead.)
- Melt two tablespoons of butter in a medium pot over medium heat. Once the butter begins to sizzle, add the orzo and toast it for about 2 minutes, stirring often and adjusting the heat as needed. Pour in the broth, lower the heat, cover, and let it cook until the orzo is tender, roughly 12 minutes. If using water, add half a teaspoon of salt.
- While the orzo cooks, warm a large skillet over medium heat. Place half of the shrimp in a single layer and let them cook without moving until they start to turn pink, approximately 1 minute. Turn them over and cook for another minute, then take them out of the pan and set them aside. Repeat the process with the rest of the shrimp.
- Using the same skillet, melt the remaining butter. Add the diced shallot and the rest of the minced garlic, sautéing until they become aromatic, about 1 minute. Return the shrimp to the skillet along with any collected juices. Pour in the fruit juice, lemon juice, the remaining lemon zest, red chili flakes, and a generous amount of freshly ground pepper. Bring it to a gentle simmer, allowing the liquid to reduce and the shrimp to finish cooking for 2 to 4 minutes. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp.
- Serve the dish promptly in bowls, placing the shrimp over the orzo. Generously drizzle with the lemon garlic sauce, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and add more lemon juice if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter option, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for cooking the orzo.
- Avoid overcooking the shrimp to maintain their tenderness and flavor.
- Adjust the red chili flakes amount to your desired level of spiciness.
