Description
Seafood risotto brings pure coastal comfort right to your kitchen, blending creamy rice with fresh ocean treasures that dance across your plate with Mediterranean charm. Tender shrimp, delicate scallops, and aromatic herbs mingle together, creating a simple yet elegant dinner that feels like a seaside vacation.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Seafood Ingredient:
- 1 lb large raw shrimp
Supporting Fats and Aromatics:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 garlic cloves
Flavor Enhancers and Seasonings:
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chicken or seafood stock
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt
- Pepper
- Fresh parsley
- 1 pinch red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Thoroughly blot 1 lb of raw shrimp with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season each shrimp with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet at medium-high heat (375°F). Arrange shrimp in a single layer, cooking 60-90 seconds per side until they turn pink and curl slightly.
- Transfer seared shrimp to a clean plate. Lower skillet temperature to medium (350°F). Immediately add 4 minced garlic cloves, stirring constantly for 30 seconds until aromatic.
- Pour ¼ cup chicken stock into the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to scrape browned bits from pan bottom, creating deeper flavor layers.
- Whisk ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice into the skillet. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly and coats the back of your spoon.
- Gently return shrimp to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Cook for an additional 60-90 seconds, ensuring shrimp are heated through but not overcooked.
- Taste the sauce, adjusting salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with optional red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately over rice, mashed potatoes, or alongside crusty bread.
Notes
- Always pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels to ensure a perfect golden sear without steaming.
- Use high-quality fresh or frozen shrimp and let them come to room temperature before cooking for even heating.
- For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut milk and reduce cooking time by a few minutes.
- Gluten-free diners can serve this over cauliflower rice or zucchini noodles instead of traditional grains.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 49 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 543 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 410 mg
- Fat: 47 g
- Saturated Fat: 17 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 28 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 0.3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg