Gordon Ramsay’s 10-minute Shrimp Scampi recipe has become a popular dish for home cooks looking for a quick and flavorful meal. But can you really make it in 10 minutes? YouTuber Jamie, from the channel “Anti-Chef,” decided to put this claim to the test.
The Reality of a 10-Minute Scampi
The truth is, as Jamie discovers, achieving Gordon Ramsay’s 10-minute feat requires some significant prep work that isn’t shown in the video. In reality, it takes an average person closer to 1 hour and 4 minutes to complete the dish, including prepping ingredients, cooking, and plating.
So, what’s the secret?
The key difference lies in Ramsay’s starting point. His ingredients are already prepped and measured, saving him valuable time. An average home cook will need to factor in prepping time when making this recipe.
Ingredients
- 8-12 deveined and peeled shrimp (16/20 size)
- 4 oz dry capellini or angel hair pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1 large shallot, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons chili flakes
- 2 lemons (zest and juice)
- ¼ cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons capers
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup seafood stock
- 2 ounces cubed butter
- 1 wedge of parmesan cheese
- 1 sprig of fresh basil, chiffonade (thinly sliced)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Prep: Start by prepping your ingredients. Finely dice the shallot, mince the garlic cloves, halve the cherry tomatoes, chiffonade the basil leaves, and zest and juice the lemons.
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the capellini pasta and cook according to package instructions, typically 3-5 minutes, or until al dente.
- Make the Sauce: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook for 2 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
- Deglaze the Pan: Add the white wine to the pan and cook until almost evaporated. This deglazes the pan, capturing any browned bits for extra flavor.
- Build the Sauce: Add the seafood stock, chili flakes, capers, cherry tomatoes, lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice to the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce for a few minutes.
- Cook the Shrimp: Meanwhile, season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat another pan with olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 1 minute per side, or until pink and opaque.
- Finish the Dish: Once the pasta is cooked, drain it and add it to the pan with the sauce and cooked shrimp. Toss to combine. Add the cubed butter and stir until melted. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
- Serve: Plate the pasta and shrimp scampi. Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan when cooking the shrimp. This can lead to uneven cooking and rubbery shrimp.
- If you don’t have seafood stock, you can substitute chicken broth or water.
- Adjust the amount of chili flakes according to your spice preference.
- For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of heavy cream at the end.
This recipe provides a clear breakdown of the steps involved in making Shrimp Scampi, along with realistic time expectations. So, the next time you crave this delicious dish, you can enjoy it without the pressure of a strict 10-minute timeframe.
