Description
Tuscan shrimp with spinach, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes delivers Mediterranean coastal flavors in one skillet. Quick pan-seared shrimp nestled with robust ingredients create an elegant meal you can enjoy in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) large shrimp (peeled and deveined, tails on or off)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
- 3 tbsps butter
- 1 cup artichoke hearts, quartered (canned or jarred, drained)
- ½ cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (drained if packed in oil)
- 1 cup fresh spinach (or more, as it wilts down!)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup chicken broth (or white wine for extra depth)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme)
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth of flavor)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)
- Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Lavishly coat shrimp with salt, black pepper, and smoky paprika, ensuring comprehensive flavor distribution across each morsel.
- Skillet Preheating: Heat olive oil in a generous skillet over medium-high flame until the surface radiates an intense, shimmering warmth.
- Shrimp Searing: Arrange seasoned shrimp in a single, uncrowded layer, allowing each piece to caramelize and develop rich golden edges, cooking approximately two minutes per side until they transform into a delicate pink hue.
- Protein Preservation: Relocate perfectly seared shrimp to a separate plate, maintaining their succulent temperature and pristine texture for subsequent culinary assembly.
- Aromatic Foundation: Reduce skillet heat and introduce minced garlic, creating a fragrant base that will harmonize with forthcoming ingredients like spinach, artichokes, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Vegetable Integration: Gently fold spinach, artichoke hearts, and vibrant sun-dried tomatoes into the skillet, allowing them to meld and release their distinctive Mediterranean essence.
- Creamy Transformation: Pour heavy cream and sprinkle parmesan cheese, stirring continuously to create a luxurious, velvety sauce that envelops all components.
- Final Fusion: Return seared shrimp to the skillet, gently nestling them within the creamy vegetable medley, ensuring every element is thoroughly heated and perfectly harmonized.
- Garnish and Serve: Finish with a delicate sprinkle of fresh basil leaves and optional red pepper flakes, presenting a visually stunning and flavor-packed Tuscan-inspired dish.
Notes
- Maximize Flavor Coating: Thoroughly coat shrimp with salt, pepper, and paprika, ensuring even distribution for a robust taste profile.
- Perfect Searing Technique: Use a spacious skillet with medium-high heat and avoid overcrowding to achieve ideal caramelization and golden edges.
- Watch Cooking Time Carefully: Cook shrimp for exactly two minutes per side, focusing on the delicate pink color as a doneness indicator.
- Preserve Shrimp Texture: Remove shrimp immediately when cooked and transfer to a warm plate to maintain tenderness and prevent overcooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 499
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 36g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 200mg