Scampi-Style Shrimp Bruschetta

Did you happen to see that Creamy Lemon-Chicken with Artichokes that I shared last week?  It was quick, easy, and best of all - it was ridiculously delicious.  As in, so delicious it's hard to believe that it made it onto the table in approximately 15 minutes time.  Well, guess what?  This dish?  Same.  Same thing.  Quick, easy, ridiculously delicious.

How DO I do it?

Well, I'm just that good, of course.  Sheesh.  Yes, there is that.  But there's also my new little helper in the kitchen.  the one that gets me through busy weeknights without stress.  That would be Land O Lakes® Sauté Express® Sauté Starter

I'm just amazed at how much goodness is packed into these little boxes.  If you have some pork, some chicken, some fish, maybe some seafood hanging out in the fridge - and a few cubes of this stuff - you've got dinner.  Or most of it.  Throw them into a pan and add your protein.  Minutes later, you've made a dish.  It's quick.  It's easy.  It's ridiculously delicious.

Oh, and while you're waiting for those few minutes to be up, throw yourself together a big ol' salad to go along with it.  Or steam some veggies.  Or toast some bread.  It's up to you.  But in about 15 minutes time, you'll have dinner on the table.

You know, so you can hurry up and eat before you rush out the door.  Or eat quickly after rushing in it.

Scampi-Style Shrimp Bruschetta

by Heather Schmitt-González

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10-15 minutes

Keywords: saute appetizer entree lemons shrimp

Ingredients (serves 4)

for the bruschetta:

• 1 long loaf of Italian bread (~1 lb.)
• 2 oz. (2 squares) Savory Butter & Olive Oil Land O Lakes® Sauté Express® Sauté Starter, melted (optional)

for the scampi:

• 5 oz. (5 squares) Garlic & Herb Land O Lakes® Sauté Express® Sauté Starter
• 1 shallot, minced
• 4 fat cloves garlic, minced
• ~1 lb. large (16-20) shrimp, peeled & deveined & butterflied
• ½ c. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• crushed red chile flakes
• salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• small handful fresh parsley, chopped
• freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

grilling the bread:

Slice bread into 16 (~½-inch) slices. Heat a grill or grill pan until hot. Brush both sides of each piece of bread with a light coat of the melted Land O Lakes® Sauté Express® Sauté Starter, if using - you can also toast them "dry", if you like. Set on hot grates until toasted and grill-marked, flip and repeat. Set ~4 slices of bread per person in a shallow bowl or deep plate, leaving space in the center to pool the scampi juices.

making the scampi:

Heat Land O Lakes® Sauté Express® Sauté Starter in large skillet over medium heat. Sauté shallots and garlic for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add lemon juice, butter, red chile flakes, and a pinch of salt and pepper; sauté until reduced by half. Add shrimp and continue to sauté until the shrimp just turn pink, 2-3 minutes. Turn off heat and toss in parsley.

Divide the shrimp over the prepared bruschetta and divide the sauce evenly amongst the bowls. Grate some fresh Parmesan over the top, if you wish and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

Notes:

Eat the shrimp atop the bruschetta, but don't forget to sop up all of the delicious juices, as well.

Make this a meal by serving it alongside a big, green salad that has tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, and whatever other veggies you choose in it.