Ouzo Dill Shrimp Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Using a sharp paring knife, remove the threadlike vein from the shrimp. Wash, drain, sprinkle with lemon juice, and set aside in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• 2. Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter in a large skillet. When the butter stops bubbling, add the onion and cook over medium-low heat until very soft, or 10 to 12 minutes. Add the garlic and stir for a minute or so. While the onion is cooking, pulverize the tomatoes in a food processor until smooth. Add them to the skillet. Simmer for about 4 minutes, or until the shrimp firm up and turn pink. Add the cream, season with salt and pepper, and stir well but gently to combine. Just before removing from heat, add the last dab of butter. Serve hot.
• Additional tip from Peter Spyropoulos, executive chef/owner of En Plo restaurant in New York City:
• • Look for an ouzo with a strong anise flavor, such as Boutari, available in many liquor stores.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together shrimp, 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon zest, red-pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and half the garlic. Set aside to marinate. (This step can be done up to 1 hour in advance.)
• Add butter, remaining olive oil and remaining garlic to a medium skillet set over medium heat. When the butter starts to bubble, add the orzo and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring often, until the orzo is toasted, about 2 minutes, adjusting the heat as necessary to prevent the garlic from burning. Carefully add the wine - it will bubble - and stir until absorbed, about 1 minute. Stir in water, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook until orzo is al dente, about 12 minutes.
• Add the shrimp in a snug, even layer on top of the orzo, cover, and cook until all the shrimp is pink and cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, 2 minutes.
• Sprinkle with parsley and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add onions and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are tender but not browned.
• Stir in tomatoes,parsley,oregano,salt, pepper, and sugar.
• Simmer, uncovered,over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• *Can be made ahead to this point. Cover and refrigerate up to 24 hours.
• In a large bowl, combine shrimp and lemon juice and toss until well coated; set aside.
• In a medium saucepan heat 2 quarts of water to boiling.
• Drain shrimp and drop into boiling water.
• Return water to a boil (shrimp should just be turning pink); drain shrimp.
• Place shrimp in a bowl and pour ouzo over them.
• *Can be prepared ahead to this point. Cover and refrigerate up to 12 hours.
• In a large skillet heat the tomato sauce.
• Add cooked shrimp and ouzo; continue cooking just until shrimp are heated through.
• Transfer to individual ramekins or dishes, sprinkle with cheese, and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Combine water and shrimp shells in heavy large pot (cover and refrigerate shrimp). Bring water with shells to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Cover and remove from heat.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in large Dutch oven over low heat. Add leeks, fennel, bell pepper and shallots. Cover and cook until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Uncover vegetables; add tomatoes and garlic and sauté until tomatoes soften and almost all liquid evaporates, about 8 minutes. Increase heat to medium. Add wine and boil 1 minute. Strain shrimp stock into vegetable mixture. Boil until mixture is reduced to 8 generous cups, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Puree half of soup in blender in batches. Combine with remaining soup. Season soup with salt and pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to simmer before continuing.)
• Season shrimp with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add shrimp; sauté until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add ouzo. Carefully ignite with lit match. Remove from heat; allow flames to subside.
• Ladle soup into bowls. Spoon some of shrimp and cooking liquid from skillet into each bowl. Garnish with fennel.