Coastal Mains
Garlicky Shrimp and Shishito Peppers
The Strategy:
Sautéing shrimp and shishito peppers in garlic-infused olive oil and warm paprika is a quick way to create a dish bursting with bold flavor. The high heat of the skillet blisters the peppers and quickly cooks the shrimp until they are sweet, tender, and pink. Toss the golden, crispy garlic back into the pan right at the end to add a wonderful savory finish.
Ingredients
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 whole head garlic, cloves peeled and thinly sliced, about ½ cup
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 10 to 12 shishito peppers
- 1 bunch green onions, tops removed, halved and cut into 3-inch pieces
- 1 pound fresh extra-large shrimp, peeled and deveined, about 26 to 30
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. (I use a cast iron skillet for this dish.) Add the garlic and paprika and cook until the garlic is soft and just beginning to turn golden on the edges. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the garlic to a plate.
- Add peppers, green onion and shrimp to the skillet.
- Turn up the heat to medium-high.
- Toss the veggies and shrimp in the garlicky oil until the peppers begin to blister and the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Scrape the garlic back into the skillet.
- Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
The Heart of the Table
This sizzling skillet dish brings an exciting, interactive energy to the table with its bright colors and rich, garlicky aroma. Sharing these quick-cooked shrimp and blistered peppers feels casual and fun, inviting everyone to dive in with toothpicks or forks and enjoy a lively, communal meal.
The Art of the Host
- a hand-turned, wide-rimmed salad bowl crafted from solid cherrywood
- a set of matte-finished ceramic salad plates chilled beforehand
- a teardrop weighted stainless steel bar spoon with a twisted stem
- a flexible high-carbon stainless steel fish spatula with a walnut handle
- a set of heavy-gauge, satin-finished stainless steel mixing bowls
- a platinum-grade non-stick silicone baking mat for consistent heat conduction
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Serve this dish directly from a seasoned cast-iron skillet set on a rustic wooden trivet, offering plenty of fresh lemon wedges on the side for squeezing.
- THE POUR: A chilled Albariño or a cold, sparkling lemonade infused with fresh mint and a splash of club soda.
- THE VIBE: Covered Veranda. The warm evening air carries the sizzle of garlic and the sound of soft bossa nova, creating a relaxed, coastal feel.