{ eat: easy peasy shrimp scampi }

This could not be easier. Nor could it be more delicious.

First, bring a pot of water to a boil to cook your pasta. Any kind will do. We're using mini bowties tonight.

Saute some minced garlic in hot olive oil. I used about 3 cloves.

When the garlic is nice and cooked, add a little pepper and kosher salt to taste and then pour in about half a container of chicken broth.

 

As the chicken broth and garlic begin to heat, add about a tablespoon of butter to melt into the mixture.

 

I sprinkle in about 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese. 

(There is a reason that I very rarely show you fresh grated parm in my recipes. Clearly, it makes everything taste better. However, it does not last but 5 minutes in this house. I swear. I will devour it. You know how you go to those good Italian restaurants, and the guy comes around with the brick of parm and the grater? Yeah I have no shame about telling him to just leave the brick and the implement and walk away. It's a problem.)

Me: And now...

You: OH DEAR GOD, SHE'S GOT THE WINE AGAIN!!!

Me: Wine. Mmmm. 

 

The wine gives it a very nice, light, finished taste. You can leave it out but I can't vouch for flavor if you do.

Also, at about this point, your water should be boiling and you can cook your pasta. Al dente, please.

Now, get your shrimp.

 
 

I went ahead and got the precooked kind from the seafood department. I pulled the tails off before I tossed them into the cooking broth.

 
 

Also, toss in some more pepper to taste, and some basil. You can do some more grated parmesan, too. Whatever. It's your scampi.

Now. If you happen to not like shrimp, for whatever reason, you can do the same exact thing with chicken. Just saute/grill/broil/bake it before you toss it in the sauce and voila: easy peasy chicken scampi.

Bring the sauce to a simmer and drain your pasta. You can toss the pasta and sauce together or you can plate the pasta and spoon the sauce and shrimp over it.

Kind of like this.

 

I added some chopped scallions to the top for color and some ciabatta on the side.

The money shot.