Sautéed Shrimp and Garlic Butter Sauce

Quick and Easy Dinner Ideas

© Kimberly Kunaniec

Sep 23, 2008

When feeling pressed for time, many people head to the drive-thru instead of cooking dinner for themselves. However, it is easy to prepare a healthy and delicious meal without spending much time. Sautéed shrimp with a garlic butter sauce cooks for only five minutes but provides maximum flavor. With just a handful of common pantry ingredients, it is a dish that even novice cooks can prepare and enjoy.

When sautéing or stir-frying, prepare all ingredients ahead of time. Since the cooking time is short, there may not be time to clean vegetables before the previous addition has been cooked to far. Measuring everything out before beginning a recipe also guarantees that no necessary items are missing.

Sautéed Shrimp with Garlic Butter Sauce

Serves 2

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 8 oz shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• 2 cups snow peas
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Brown rice to serve

Directions

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add butter and garlic. Cook for one minute.
3. Add shrimp and saute until just opaque.
4. Add snow peas and cook until heated through.
5. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Serve over brown rice, or with other favorite side.

Tips and Tricks

• To reduce the intensity of the garlic, smash the clove but do not mince. Remove it before serving. The flavor will be infused in the oil without creating bad breath.
• Add the juice of one lemon before serving. Lemon butter sauce compliments the shrimp stir-fry. Other favorite herbs and spices can be added to give it a different taste.
• Frozen shrimp and snow peas work well in this recipe. Keep these ingredients on hand and a hot meal can be prepared in minutes. Frozen vegetables are of good quality year-round and do not have the high sodium content often found in canned vegetables.
• Cooking for one is simple when these ingredients are on hand. The recipe can easily be halved for a single diner. Since it only takes five minutes and a single pan, it is convenient for everyone.
• Explore other vegetables. Any family favorites that are on hand will go with this versatile recipe.
• Experiment. Recipes are best when they are personalized for the family that is eating them. Try carrots, broccoli, or bell peppers in place of the snow peas. Have fun with cooking and meal-time will be something to look forward to.
• Try cooking rice in the microwave. There are many prepackaged rice products that allow this, but it is also possible to use a microwave-safe container and regular rice.

Sautéed shrimp in butter

Garlic bulbs for butter sauce

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