Shrimp Saganaki – The Greek Staple [VIDEO]

Allow me to delight you today with a special recipe – the shrimp saganaki. This Greek recipe is based on delicious shrimp, which I’m sure you’re crazy about. And who isn’t? The juicy and tender taste of shrimp makes millions of gourmets around the world favor them instead of fish or meat.

So, today is about Shrimp Saganaki, which is amazingly quick to make. But believe me, the major benefit of this recipe is not the preparation time. Everything revolves around the texture, the refined taste, and the harmonious combination between the shrimp tenderness and the slightly spicy sauce. All this is completed with an attractive aesthetic, making this meal the first that your family or guests will try.

In order to enjoy this weeknight meal to the highest degree, I recommend preparing some crusty bread at the same time. You don’t know what you’re missing if you refuse to soak up the bread in the scrumptious shrimp sauce. And I know that the diet rules are against the carbohydrates in crusty bread. But leave this recipe as a guilty pleasure to enjoy once in a while. Though, the beautiful part of things is that the recipe is easy and very diet-friendly if you exclude the bread from it. The flavor remains as delicate and breath-taking, be sure of that. If you looove shrimp, here are some recipes to save:

• shrimp coconut curry
• shrimp ceviche
• creamy shrimp parmesan

A little history of the scrumptious Shrimp Saganaki

The Shrimp Nagasaki is, in my opinion, a dish that deserves all 5 Michelin stars. This is only if you prepare it correctly and follow all the steps in this recipe. In the end, you should get a tender, creamy and juicy texture with soft shrimp, all infused in tomato sauce with notes of garlic.

By the way, my children learned to eat shrimp thanks to this recipe. Until then, they looked a bit reluctantly at any shrimp dish, whether it was salad or soup. So, go ahead with this offering if you face the same issue. As for the husband, he will probably rediscover you once he tries this delicacy.

Probably the name of this dish does not sound very familiar to you. And I understand the reason; after all, the term “Saganaki” is of Greek origin. Matter of fact, this term includes a multitude of recipes that are prepared in a small two-handed frying pan.

What is specific to saganaki dishes is that they include all types of cheese that melt in the frying pan. After melting them, the chefs add the main ingredients in the creamy and tasty texture of the initially added cheeses. Who wouldn’t like such a combination?

Today’s recipe is no exception to tradition and will also include plenty of cheese that you can lick your fingers. Shrimp Saganaki is probably the most beloved Mediterranean recipe that I can never get enough of. I think it will become yours once you try it. Do you want to bet?

Ingredients you will need for the Shrimp Saganaki

• Shrimp or prawns, both will do. I recommend opting for extra large, or at least, large shrimps. Also, you can get peeled shrimp so that you don’t waste much time preparing them;
• Tomatoes, canned or fresh ones will both do. If you are in season, I recommend going for the fresh option. They will add extra flavor to the dish. If it is difficult to find them out of season, the canned ones are a good alternative;
• Extra virgin olive oil. Any other type of olive oil is also an option. But the extra virgin version is the most beneficial for health;
• One block of Feta cheese. Opt for a high-quality product that adds velvety texture and tangy flavor to our recipe;
• Fresh or dried oregano, both will do;
• Red pepper flakes to your tasting to add the degree of spiciness you prefer;
• Garlic and shallots if available. If not, one traditional onion will do;
• Fresh parsley as you want your dish to look gorgeous and smell fresh.

Steps to follow when preparing shrimp saganaki

Let’s go directly to the preparation process, as I know I already left your mouth watering. So, want a quick-made recipe? – No problem. This is one of the main advantages of the Shrimp Saganaki dish. This should not take much time for preparation and create much hustle in your kitchen. Also, it’s ok if you don’t have an authentic saganaki pan. An enameled cast iron braiser is a good alternative to it.

Start the process by sautéing the chopped garlic and onion in some extra virgin olive oil. When you feel that the smell becomes abundant and the texture of the onion becomes soft, it’s time to add the tomatoes. If you have canned tomatoes, just pour them into the iron brazier. If, on the other hand, you opted for fresh tomatoes, chop them before putting them in the pan. I like to mix both fresh and canned tomatoes. At this point, it is the right time to add some extra flavor under the name red pepper flakes and oregano. Let all the ingredients simmer over low heat until the excess liquid evaporates and a thick sauce is formed.

Once the texture of the sauce becomes relatively condensed, it’s time to add the shrimp and raise the temperature a bit. Shrimp only need a few minutes to prepare and they will turn red once they are done. At this stage, grate the block of Feta cheese on top of the mass and cover the pan with a lid or place it under the broiler without a lid.

All you have to do is wait until the Feta cheese melts and forms a brown crust in places. This means that the dish is ready and you can season it with parsley for a more attractive aesthetic. That’s all you have to do for a delectable shrimp dish.

How to serve shrimp saganaki

It is hard to find another shrimp dish that can compete with this Shrimp Saganaki. The beautiful part is that it is so versatile, that you can serve it both as an entrée dish and as an appetizer. In the same context, you can combine it with some zucchini recipes such as sauteed zucchini with garlic or spinach, feta, and zucchini casserole to stick to the Mediterranean-Greek theme.

Also, you can combine it with any type of pasta, rice, or spaghetti, depending on how much you take into account your calorie intake. Either way, this Shrimp Saganaki pairs wonderfully with a glass of white wine to compensate for the lack of it in the dish, if you chose the alcohol-free option. Enjoy!

Shrimp Saganaki

Tatiana

Shrimp saganaki revolves around the texture, the refined taste, and the harmonious combination between the shrimp tenderness and the slightly spicy sauce.

4.29 from 7 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Main Course, Vegetarian

Cuisine Greek, Mediterranean

Servings 6 people

Calories 271 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 lb shrimp
• 1 lb tomatoes fresh
• 1 can tomatoes peeled
• 1 medium onion or shallot
• 2-3 cloves garlic
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 1 block feta cheese
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp chili flakes
• 1 handful parsley fresh

Instructions

 

• Saute the chopped onion and garlic in olive oil until translucent
• Add the canned tomatoes and the fresh chopped tomatoes
• Season with salt, add the oregano and chili flakes
• Let simmer for about 15 minutes without a lid, for the liquids to evaporate
• Add the deveined shrimp and mix, allow to cook for a couple of minutes
• Sprinkle with chopped/grated feta cheese
• Cover with a lid for the feta cheese to melt
• Sprinkle with chopped parsley
• Serve with pleasure

Nutrition

Calories: 271kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 22gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.003gCholesterol: 155mgSodium: 915mgPotassium: 445mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 902IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 255mgIron: 1mg

Keyword 30 minute meal, easy meal, Healthy recipe, mediterranean recipe, shrimp meal

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