Saturday, July 20, 2019

Grilled Shrimp Scampi Pasta...A Gourmet Evening


This Grilled Shrimp Scampi Pasta is a great dish for entertaining as most of it can be prepped ahead of time.  It's a delicious combination of flavors with the addition of capers, thyme, tomato and lemon. With the shrimp being grilled, rather than sauteed, it adds another nice dimension of flavor.  It also gave my husband a way to help with the food preparation by doing the grilling!


Last weekend, we hosted our Gourmet Group.  I am so thankful that we had the weather we did, as the heat this weekend would have made al fresco dinner almost impossible.  Everyone commented on how magical the night was. Perfect temperature and no mosquitoes! I served this Grilled Shrimp Scampi Pasta and everyone loved it.  It was light and summery and we served grilled vegetables on the side which were prepped earlier in the day and served at room temperature.  I had be working on the recipe for two weeks ahead of time and kept tweaking it until we both thought it was perfect.


Our group consists of 5 couples. The host and hostess prepare the menu and send a printed version to each couple, with their assignment of one of the courses.  It's crazy, but we have been doing this for 25 years!  At least 3 of the couples, including my husband and I, have been in the group that long, with the 4th couple joining a few years later after one couple moved because of a job change, and the 5th couple has been with us for the past 10 years.  They replaced a couple that moved out-of-state after retirement. Hopefully, we can continue our tradition together for many more years to come :)

I was so happy that our friends were able to see my clematis collection in full bloom when they were here!  You can see the table above was also surrounded by clematis also and the evening air had a lovely scent.  With the heat wave we're having this weekend, we are so relieved that our dinner party was on such a beautiful night.



Grilled Shrimp Scampi Pasta

Printable Recipe

Serves 6

1-1/2 pounds dried pasta (I used Capellini)
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2-1/2 pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
Kosher salt and black pepper

2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
2 large cloves garlic, minced (or to taste)
1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
1-1/2 cups dry white wine (I used Chardonnay)
Zest and juice of 2 organic lemons
5 tablespoons salted butter

1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

Do Ahead Notes:

1. Pasta can be boiled, rinsed under cool water and drained in the morning. Under-cook slightly. Toss with a little olive oil and place in a zipper lock bag in the refrigerator until 1 hour before assembly. When ready to start dinner, heat a large pot of boiling water and add the already-cooked pasta for 1 minute, just long enough to heat through, and then add to a large saute pan along with the heated sauce and grilled shrimp.

2. Sauce can be made in the morning. Refrigerate until 1 hour before assembly. When ready to start dinner, reheat sauce in a large saucepan or microwave until heated. I like to double the sauce and pass extra sauce at the table.

3. Shrimp can be peeled and deveined a day ahead. Keep in a bowl with fresh ice on top, covered, in the refrigerator.

Directions:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Just before draining, remove 1 cup of the pasta cooking water.

Skewer shrimp and brush with oil and lemon juice or extra sauce, if you have made it ahead. Allow to marinate at least 30 minutes to an hour. Season with salt and pepper. Grill for 1-2 minutes on each side. Remove from skewers and set aside.

Sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoons olive oil. Add the shallots, season with salt and pepper and cook 5 minutes. Add the garlic, thyme, red pepper flakes, and sauté for another minute. Pour in the wine, lemon juice and zest, and reduce for a at least five minutes or so. Then add the diced tomatoes and capers, S&P, stir and cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes. Stir in butter.

Add the shrimp and pasta to the sauce, tossing to combine. If needed, thin the sauce with a little of the pasta cooking water. Remove the pasta from the heat and stir in half of the parsley.

Divide the pasta between plates and top with the remaining fresh parsley and thyme. Pass extra sauce at the table.

45 comments:

  1. A gourmet group of 25 years...that's SOMETHING!
    That table setup was just beautiful and the scampi pasta looks absolutely droolworthy, Susan.

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    1. Isn't it something?! When I did the math, I was surprised myself :) Thanks so much, Angie!

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  2. What a wonderful group to be together for do long, Susan. I make a shrimp scampi, but I like your idea of grilling the shrimp. Your table with the backdrop of clematis was stunning! What a special evening to enjoy with longtime friends.

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    1. It is quite special that we are all still together ;) Thank you, Kitty!!

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  3. That IS something! I have watched from the sidelines for a number of years now and love every time you share it.Your clematis are gorgeous as well as that table and chairs I love.And the pic of your meal is prize winnning!

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    1. Lots of longevity to celebrate this year - LOL. As we went to dinner in the rain to celebrate our anniversary last night, we both mentioned again how lucky we were to have had hosted Gourmet last weekend and NOT last night! Thank you, Pea :)

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  4. It's easy to see how magical your night was: the table setting was so lovely. Anyway, shrimp capers, thyme, tomato, lemon … those are some of my favorite things, all in a row.

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  5. This looks delicious and I like your make ahead tips.

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    1. Thank you, Larry! I've taken some clues from my SIL who used to be a chef :)

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  6. You are so blessed to have this gourmet group for over 25 years! I think I should start one.... it has to be so much fun! Please send me some tips, how often you all meet, etc. FYI: Your shrimp scampi looks and sounds amazing! Love your beautiful tablescape, and the clematis as the backdrop - just lovely Susan!

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    1. Thank you! We are definitely blessed. It's a great way to entertain as the who meal is divided among the group with the host providing the refreshments and entree :)

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  7. What a lovely group! It sounds like so much fun! Your shrimp scampi pasta looks so delicious and the clematis is just gorgeous!

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  8. This recipe Susan have some of my favorite foods, shrimp, pasta looks so delicious !!! xo

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    1. Thank you, Gloria! They are my favorites too :) Have a wonderful week!

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  9. Dear Susan your clematis are gorgeous and your table setting is stunning, so chic ! Pasta is always the right choice, a warm hug from oppressive heat Italy

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    1. Thank you very much, Chiara! I'm sorry it is so hot there :(

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  10. What a lovely gathering Susan...and yes, perfect weather. I love your pasta dish with grilled shrimp...looks delicious!
    Have a great weekend!

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    1. Thank you, Juliana! It was a fun party :) A great weekend to you too. xo

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  11. Wow! That sounds fantastic! And so does everything about the pasta dish :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Taruna, and I apologize for the late reply.

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  12. Where I live there are very few evenings when dining al fresco are possible. Your table looks beautiful, and I'm glad it wasn't too hot. Capellini is something I've forgotten about. It sounds perfect with the shrimp in its "lightness."

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    1. We've had an abundance of al fresco evenings in August that we are so grateful for. Soon the 'curtain' will come down.

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  13. Sounds delicious. And that gorgeous table, I love it! Your guests must have felt very appreciated.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. They did love it, Amalia. One of our friends said it was the best evening of outdoor dining he could remember. We were very lucky.

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  14. What a fun tradition! We have a couple of groups, but we haven't been together that long. I would love to gather in your garden for a dinner. Shrimp Scampi is one of my favorites and I need a good recipe! We will have to try this!

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    1. Thank you, Jacqueline! I'm sure your parties are spectacular ♥

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  15. That sounds so fun and the table set up is amazing too including that delicious pasta!

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    1. Thanks so much for your comment. I very much appreciate you taking the time :)

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  16. What a beautiful table and I am sure that’s not just because I love yellow. Your group of friends sounds delightful. You have forged a strong bond through enjoying wonderful meals together. Yes, long may it continue!

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    1. We feel very fortunate to have a group of friends that has lasted so long. We had babies together, grandchildren together and now getting old together :)

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  17. Your table looks so nice and pretty, and the gourmet group sounds like a fun time. That's a long time with a lot of great memories! And the pasta has to be delicious, perfect for an al fresco dinner. Take care

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    1. Thank you, Pam! We have had many great times together. A blessing for sure!

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  18. The table is gorgeous. I like the idea of the Gourmet group, it sounds really nice.

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    1. Thank you, Anca! It is a great excuse to gather and make some memorable meals together.

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  19. Bought shrimp, and I am trying this. It looks heavenly! Thanks!

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  20. What a wonderful idea of your dinner club. Your table looks amazing and so do all your beautiful flowers.

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    1. Thanks so much, Judee! When the weather cooperates it makes for a wonderful summer evening.

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  21. You amaze me! Any club or friendship lasting that long is astounding to me. Though I must say that this shrimp dish is one of my faves. Can' I join the club? Thanks Susan for your kind words. It meant a lot.

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    1. Thanks so much, Abbe! We all have similar interests outside of cooking and eating, which is why we've all been friends for so long. Gourmet is just the occasional 'frosting' so to speak :)

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  22. Love the idea of a gourmet group, it must be really fun and relaxing. And that shrimp pasta looks great!

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    1. Thank you, Isabell! Our group is actually having another gourmet group dinner tonight at one of the other hosts' homes. It is so much fun!

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  23. Susan, I just realized I missed this post. So glad that the weather cooperated for your dinner group! The shrimp pasta sounds wonderful.

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I appreciate your comment!