Shrimps Saganaki is a traditional Greek dish that features juicy shrimp cooked in a rich tomato and feta cheese sauce. This flavorful dish is the perfect combination of tangy, savory, and slightly spicy flavors that will transport you straight to the Mediterranean. With minimal ingredients and simple steps, you can recreate this delicious Greek recipe in your own kitchen. Enjoy it as a main course with some crusty bread or as an appetizer at your next dinner party. Get ready to impress your taste buds with this exquisite Shrimps Saganaki recipe!
Ingredients
- 500g (1 lb) fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 can (400g, 14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for another minute, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes, allowing it to caramelize slightly.
- Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer the sauce for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Meanwhile, season the shrimp with salt and black pepper.
- Once the sauce has thickened, add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp turn pink and are cooked through.
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese evenly over the shrimp. Cover the skillet and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until the feta has softened.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and garnish with chopped parsley.
- Serve the Shrimps Saganaki hot, straight from the skillet, with some crusty bread on the side to soak up the delicious sauce.
Interesting Facts
Shrimps Saganaki is named after the shallow, two-handled frying pan called 'saganaki' that is traditionally used to cook this dish in Greece.
This dish is a popular Greek meze (appetizer) that is often enjoyed with a glass of ouzo or retsina wine.
In Greek cuisine, the combination of tomato sauce and feta cheese is a classic pairing that appears in many dishes, including Shrimps Saganaki.