Nothing can kill the end-of-day beach energy faster than being forced to deal with dinner. We all know the story…it’s been a perfect day at the beach, but now the sun is sinking lower in the sky and you know dinner looms.
Dinner time doesn’t have to be a buzzkill. Using these quick recipes for oven-roasted shrimp, you can conjure up a delicious meal that’s as fresh and easy as a sea breeze.
Both of these recipes are immensely versatile: They work great for an impromptu party with friends or for an uber casual family get-together.
• 3 pounds large raw shrimp, unpeeled
• 1 16 oz. bottle Italian dressing (any brand)
• 1 ½ tablespoons ground black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 lemons, cut in half
•¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (or substitute 4 teaspoons dried)
• ½ stick butter, cut into small cubes
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place shrimp in a 13 x 9 baking dish. Cover the shrimp with Italian dressing, black pepper and garlic. Squeeze lemons over the shrimp, being careful to retain seeds. Toss gently to coat the shrimp with dressing mixture. Add lemon halves to dish. Sprinkle parsley over shrimp and scatter butter cubes evenly throughout.
Bake for 15 minutes. Stir shrimp gently. Return to oven and cook another 10 minutes, or until the shrimp is cooked through. (The shrimp will be pink and opaque.) Serve immediately.
Serve with a crusty loaf of bread – you’ll want to use it to soak up the delicious broth – and a green salad for a perfect beach supper. Cover a picnic table with old newspapers to collect the shells to make clean-up that much easier.
Handy Shrimp Tips
• Fresh shrimp is available year-round on Florida’s gulf coast. But don’t worry if you’re unable to get to your favorite local seafood market – frozen shrimp will also work well for these recipes.
• Not sure how much shrimp to buy? The general rule is 4 to 8 ounces per serving: When shrimp is the star of the show (and they definitely shine here), plan on about 8 ounces per person.
Like the recipe above, the preparation for Perfect BBQ Shrimp is just a simple toss of a few basic ingredients. Then roast them while you pour the wine and toss a salad. Double or triple the recipe for a crowd – and don’t forget plenty of bread to soak up the tasty pan juice.
• 1 ½ pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined, with tails intact
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¾ teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
• ¾ teaspoons Cajun season
• ¾ teaspoon hot peppersauce
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 13 x 9 baking dish and lay the shrimp in it. Combine the remaining ingredients and pour over the shrimp. Toss lightly to coat the shrimp. Spread the shrimp in a single layer. Bake 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
Keep these recipes handy for your next beach trip, and everyone in your party will reap the delicious rewards.
Just toss a few pantry staples together and these recipes are practically done. You’ll even have time to relax and enjoy the sunset while the shrimp roasts. Now let’s eat!
M.J. GRENZOW is a freelance writer who loves the beach and super-fast recipes that remind her of the water. When she’s not actually at the beach, she’s plotting her next escape to sand and surf.
