Orzo Prawn Scampi

Adapted from: Bernie Dezenski

Serves: 3

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

500 g (about 1 lb) large prawn / shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tbsp olive oil

1 whole lemon, zested

1 whole lemon, juice

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

salt & pepper 

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1 cup orzo pasta

80 ml (1/3 cup) white wine

530 ml (2.25 cups) vegetable stock

120 g (4 oz) spinach

1/4 tsp chili flake

1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated

2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped

I first cooked this for friends and the three of us nearly polished it off in 15 minutes. It was so tasty! The garlic and wine in the sauce match the heat of the chili and cool down with the parmesan. Just when you think it's over, the slight hit of tart lemon rounds off this flavour profile. This recipe 10/10 does not disappoint. 

Ingredients:

500 g (about 1 lb) large prawn / shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tbsp olive oil

1 whole lemon, zested

1 whole lemon, juice

4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

salt & pepper 

1 tbsp unsalted butter

1 cup orzo pasta

80 ml (1/3 cup) white wine

530 ml (2.25 cups) vegetable stock

120 g (4 oz) spinach

1/4 tsp chili flake

1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated

2 tbsp flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine the prawn / shrimp with 1 tbsp olive oil, lemon zest, and half the garlic. Season with salt and pepper. 

2. In a large skillet on low heat, add the butter, 1 tbsp olive oil, remaining garlic, orzo, and season with salt. Cook on low heat to toast the orzo (2 minutes). 

3. Pour in the wine and cook until it reduces (1 minute), then add the vegetable stock, half the lemon juice, spinach, chili flake, and season with salt and pepper and simmer until the orzo is al dente (about 8 minutes). 

4. Stir in the parmesan, spread out the raw prawn / shrimp over the pasta and squeeze the remaining lemon juice on top. 

5. Cover the skillet and cook on low until the prawn / shrimp are pink (about 3-5 minutes). 

6. Remove the skillet from the heat, mix in the parsley, and cover the pasta to rest for 2 minutes before serving.