Spicy Southern Style Shrimp with Lemon Basil Orzo
★★★☆☆
Ingredients
- 1 lb orzo pasta
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- juice from ½ lemon
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp cajun seasoning
- kosher salt and black pepper
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 2 bell peppers, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- ½ cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
Instructions
- 1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the orzo to al dente, according to package directions. Drain and add it right back to the hot pot. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, ¼ cup basil, lemon juice, and season with salt.
- 2. Meanwhile, toss the shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon cajun seasoning.
- 3. In a large skillet set over medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add the shrimp and cook on both sides until seared, about 2-3 minutes per side. Add the butter, then remove the shrimp from the pan.
- 4. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, bell peppers, garlic, and thyme. Cook another 2 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the wine. Simmer over medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Then add the milk, parmesan, and 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning. Season with salt and pepper. Slide the shrimp into the sauce, simmer 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly. Remove from the heat and stir in a handful of basil.
- 5. Spoon the orzo onto plates, then spoon the shrimp and sauce over the orzo. Top with fresh basil. Enjoy!
Made all in one skillet for easy cleanup. Simple and quick cooking technique makes this perfect for weeknight dinners. Can substitute heavy cream for milk for richer sauce.
Wine Pairing: Crisp White