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Garlic Butter Shrimp & Shimeji Scampi

Name: Garlic Butter Shrimp & Shimeji Scampi
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 0.5 lb large shrimp; 4 oz shimeji mushrooms; 3 unit garlic cloves; 0.5 cup unsalted butter; 2 tbsp olive oil; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 0.5 cup fresh parsley; 1 tsp lemon juice; 0.5 tsp salt

Craving something fancy but too tired to cook? This takes 15 minutes and tastes like a bistro meal.

Total: 20 min
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 10 min
Serves: 2
Difficulty: easy
Calories: 667
Cost: $$$/serving

When you're exhausted but still want a 'real' dinner, this scampi-inspired dish is your best friend. It uses the earthy, slightly crunchy texture of shimeji mushrooms paired with succulent shrimp in a rich garlic butter sauce. It feels sophisticated and gourmet, but since it all happens in one pan in about 15 minutes, it won't drain your remaining energy. It's the ultimate 'I can't decide what to make' winner because it hits those salty, buttery cravings perfectly without any fuss.

Ingredients

0.5 lb large shrimp — peeled and deveined
4 oz shimeji mushrooms — trimmed of woody ends
3 unit garlic cloves — minced
0.5 cup unsalted butter — melted or softened
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp red pepper flakes — optional for a kick
0.5 cup fresh parsley — finely chopped
1 tsp lemon juice — about half a lemon
0.5 tsp salt — to taste

Method

1 Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2 Add the shimeji mushrooms and sauté for about 4-5 minutes until they begin to brown and release their moisture.
3 Stir in the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, cooking for just 1 minute until fragrant (don't let the garlic burn!).
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4 Add the shrimp to the pan in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and opaque.
5 Pour in the remaining butter, lemon juice, and parsley. Toss everything together for 1-2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
6 Season with salt to taste and serve immediately over pasta, rice, or with a crusty piece of bread.

Variations

Vegan Option — Swap the shrimp for extra mushrooms and use a plant-based butter substitute.
Add Pasta — Toss with cooked linguine or angel hair pasta and a splash of pasta water to make it heartier.

Notes

If you want extra depth, add a splash of chicken broth or a teaspoon of honey during the butter step. The shimeji mushrooms provide a great 'pop' of texture compared to standard button mushrooms.