Greek Shrimp with Orzo and Feta

Greek Shrimp with Orzo and Feta

IGREDIENTS

Greek shrimp

• 1.5 lb raw shrimp peeled and deveined (large - about 15-20 count per pound)
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• ¼ teaspoon salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Greek orzo with feta

• 1.5 cups orzo
• 3 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock or water
• 8 oz cherry tomatoes red and yellow, sliced in half
• ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes in olive oil, chopped
• ⅓ cup kalamata olives sliced
• ¼ cup green olives sliced
• 6 oz feta cheese crumbled or diced into small cubes
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice or lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ¼ cup fresh basil chopped
• salt and pepper

METHOD 

Cook shrimp

In a large bowl, combine shrimp together with seasonings: smoked paprika, chili powder, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, and salt. Toss to coat.

Heat a large (12-inch), high-sided, skillet until hot on medium heat. Add olive oil - it should run easily but not sizzle or burn.

Add shrimp without overcrowding (you might have to cook in 2 batches).

Cook shrimp, flipping it once or twice, on medium heat, about 3-4 minutes total, until pink in color.

Remove shrimp from the skillet.

Make Greek orzo

To the same, now empty, skillet, add orzo and chicken stock. Bring to a brief boil, reduce to a visible simmer, and cook, covered, for about 10 minutes (according to package instructions). Check the orzo 5 minutes into the cooking, and stir it to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Orzo is cooked when all the water is absorbed and the orzo has a nice texture of cooked pasta. You might have to add more water at the end if the orzo is undercooked or the water evaporates too fast.

Stir in halved cherry tomatoes, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, sliced Kalamata olives, and sliced green olives. Add Feta cheese (crumbled or diced into small cubes), reserving ¼ cup of cheese for later.

Add lemon juice (or lime), extra virgin olive oil, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.

Reheat everything on low heat, constantly stirring, to blend all the ingredients together. Season with salt and pepper.

Assembly

Add cooked shrimp back to the skillet. Reheat gently, if needed.

When serving, top with the remaining feta cheese and chopped fresh basil.