Hello, Good News! If you’re looking for a tasty and simple way to prepare shrimp, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll show you how to make paesanos shrimp, a dish that originated from Paesanos Restaurant on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. This dish features garlic shrimp in a buttery lemon sauce that’s perfect for dipping bread or serving over pasta. It’s a great option for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Paesanos shrimp is one of the most popular dishes at Paesanos Restaurant, which has been serving Italian cuisine since 1969. The restaurant is known for its signature dishes, such as chicken piccata, veal marsala, and of course, paesanos shrimp. The recipe is simple but flavorful, using fresh ingredients and a few pantry staples. You’ll need jumbo shrimp, butter, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, and chives. You’ll also need some white wine and heavy cream to make the sauce creamy and rich.
What Makes Paesanos Shrimp So Good?
The Shrimp
The star of this dish is the shrimp, which are cooked until they turn pink and tender. You’ll want to use jumbo shrimp (about 21 to 25 per pound) for this recipe, as they have more meat and flavor than smaller ones. You can buy them peeled and deveined, or do it yourself if you prefer. You’ll also want to leave the tails on, as they add some visual appeal and make it easier to dip the shrimp in the sauce.
The shrimp are cooked in two stages: first, they are sautéed in butter for about 5 minutes on one side, without turning them over. This creates a nice crust on the bottom of the shrimp and seals in the juices. Then, they are transferred to a baking dish and broiled for another 5 minutes, until they are cooked through and slightly charred on top. This method ensures that the shrimp are not overcooked or rubbery.
The Sauce
The sauce is what makes paesanos shrimp so irresistible. It’s a creamy lemon sauce that’s infused with garlic, parsley, and chives. It’s tangy, buttery, and garlicky, with a hint of sweetness from the wine and cream. The sauce is easy to make: you just need to whisk together an egg yolk and some lemon juice in a small saucepan over low heat, then gradually add cold butter pieces until they melt and emulsify. Then, you add some minced garlic and more butter, stirring until the sauce thickens. Finally, you stir in some chopped parsley and chives for freshness and color.
The sauce is best served hot, drizzled over the shrimp or in a small bowl for dipping. You can also serve it over cooked pasta, rice, or mashed potatoes for a more filling meal. The sauce is rich and decadent, so a little goes a long way.
How to Make Paesanos Shrimp at Home
Ingredients
To make paesanos shrimp at home, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 pound of jumbo shrimp (21 to 25 per pound), peeled and deveined with tails on
- 2 pints of half-and-half cream
- 2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 1/2 cups of cold butter, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 medium lemon, juiced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 tablespoons of fresh parsley, minced
- 3 tablespoons of fresh chives, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Equipment
You’ll also need the following equipment:
- A large skillet
- A baking dish
- A small saucepan
- A whisk
- A knife and a cutting board
- A measuring cup and spoons
- A wooden spoon or spatula
Instructions
Follow these steps to make paesanos shrimp at home:
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a baking dish.
- In a large bowl or shallow dish, soak the shrimp in half-and-half cream for 30 minutes.
- Drain the shrimp and pat them dry with paper towels. Season them with salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the flour in another large bowl or shallow dish and coat the shrimp lightly with it, shaking off any excess.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil and sauté the shrimp for 5 minutes on one side, without turning them over. You may need to do this in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
- Transfer the shrimp to the prepared baking dish, sautéed side down, and place them in the oven. Turn the oven to broil and broil the shrimp for 5 minutes, until they are cooked through and slightly charred on top.
- Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over low heat, whisk together the egg yolk and lemon juice. Add half of the butter pieces and stir until they melt.
- Add the garlic and the remaining butter pieces and return the pan to the heat. Stir briskly until the butter melts and the sauce thickens. If the sauce is too thin, you can add a small amount of half-and-half cream to thicken it.
- Stir in the parsley and chives and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the shrimp hot, drizzled with the sauce or with the sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy!
Why You’ll Love Paesanos Shrimp
It’s Quick and Easy
Paesanos shrimp is a dish that you can make in less than an hour, with minimal prep work and easy-to-find ingredients. You don’t need any fancy equipment or skills to make this dish, just a skillet, a baking dish, and a saucepan. The cooking method is simple but effective, ensuring that you get juicy and tender shrimp with a crispy crust and a creamy sauce.
This dish is perfect for busy weeknights when you need a satisfying meal that doesn’t take too much time or effort. You can also make it ahead of time and reheat it in the oven before serving. It’s a great way to use up any leftover shrimp or cream that you have in your fridge.
It’s Versatile and Adaptable
Paesanos shrimp is a dish that you can customize to your liking, depending on your preferences and what you have on hand. You can use any size of shrimp that you like, as long as you adjust the cooking time accordingly. You can also use different herbs and spices to flavor the sauce, such as basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, or dill. You can also add some cheese, such as Parmesan or feta, to make the sauce more cheesy and savory.
This dish is also versatile in terms of how you serve it. You can enjoy it as an appetizer or a main course, depending on how hungry you are. You can serve it with bread, pasta, rice, or potatoes for a more filling meal. You can also serve it with a salad or some steamed vegetables for a lighter option. You can also make it vegetarian by replacing the shrimp with tofu or mushrooms.
It’s Delicious and Satisfying
Paesanos shrimp is a dish that will satisfy your taste buds and your appetite. It’s a combination of flavors and textures that complement each other perfectly. The shrimp are sweet and succulent, with a crunchy exterior and a soft interior. The sauce is tangy and buttery, with a hint of garlic and herbs. The dish is rich and decadent, but not too heavy or greasy.
This dish is ideal for any occasion, whether it’s a casual family dinner or a fancy date night. It’s a dish that will impress your guests and make them feel special. It’s also a dish that will make you feel happy and satisfied, as you enjoy every bite of this delicious treat.
A Detailed Table Breakdown of Paesanos Shrimp
To help you understand more about paesanos shrimp, here is a detailed table breakdown of its ingredients, nutrition facts, cooking tips, and variations:
| Ingredient | Nutrition Facts | Cooking Tips | Variations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jumbo shrimp | A 3-ounce (85-gram) serving of cooked jumbo shrimp provides 84 calories, 0 grams of fat, 94 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 20 grams of protein (1). Shrimp is also an excellent source of vitamin B12, phosphorus, selenium, choline, iodine, and omega-3fatty acids (2). | To cook the shrimp, you need to peel and devein them, leaving the tails on. You can use a small knife or a shrimp deveiner tool to do this. You also need to soak them in half-and-half cream for 30 minutes, which helps to tenderize them and add flavor. Then, you need to coat them lightly with flour and sauté them in oil for 5 minutes on one side, without turning them over. This creates a nice crust on the bottom of the shrimp and seals in the juices. Finally, you need to transfer them to a baking dish and broil them for 5 minutes, until they are cooked through and slightly charred on top. You can tell when the shrimp are done when they turn pink and opaque, and curl up slightly (3). | You can use any size of shrimp that you like, as long as you adjust the cooking time accordingly. Smaller shrimp will cook faster than larger ones, so you may need to reduce the sautéing and broiling time by a few minutes. You can also use frozen shrimp, but make sure to thaw them completely before cooking. You can do this by placing them in a colander under cold running water for about 15 minutes, or by leaving them in the refrigerator overnight (4). You can also use different types of shrimp, such as tiger shrimp, white shrimp, or black tiger shrimp, depending on your preference and availability. |
| Butter | A tablespoon (14 grams) of butter provides 102 calories, 12 grams of fat (of which 7 grams are saturated), 31 milligrams of sodium, 0 grams of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein (5). Butter is also a source of vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin K2, and butyrate (6). | To make the sauce, you need to use cold butter pieces and whisk them gradually into the egg yolk and lemon juice mixture over low heat. This creates an emulsion that makes the sauce smooth and creamy. You also need to add some more butter and garlic to the sauce and stir until it thickens. If the sauce is too thin, you can add a small amount of half-and-half cream to thicken it. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a little more lemon juice or water to thin it out. You also need to season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. | You can use salted or unsalted butter for this recipe, depending on your preference. If you use salted butter, you may need to reduce the amount of salt that you add to the sauce. You can also use vegan butter or margarine as a substitute for dairy butter if you want to make this dish vegan or dairy-free. However, this may affect the flavor and texture of the sauce. |
| Lemon juice | A tablespoon (15 milliliters) of lemon juice provides 3 calories, 0 grams of fat, 1 milligram of sodium, 1 gram of carbohydrates, 0 grams of fiber, 0 grams of sugar, and 0 grams of protein (7). Lemon juice is also a source of vitamin C, citric acid, flavonoids, and antioxidants (8). | To make the sauce, you need to whisk together an egg yolk and some lemon juice in a small saucepan over low heat. This creates a base for the sauce that adds acidity and brightness. You also need to add some more lemon juice or water to the sauce if it is too thick. You also need to squeeze some lemon juice over the shrimp before serving for extra flavor. | You can use fresh or bottled lemon juice for this recipe, but fresh lemon juice will have more flavor and nutrients than bottled one. You can also use lime juice instead of lemon juice if you want to give this dish a different twist. Lime juice will add a more tropical and zesty flavor to the sauce and the shrimp. |
FAQs About Paesanos Shrimp
What is paesanos shrimp?
Paesanos shrimp is a dish that originated from Paesanos Restaurant on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. It consists of garlic shrimp in a buttery lemon sauce that’s perfect for dipping bread or serving over pasta.
How do you pronounce paesanos?
Paesanos is pronounced as “pay-sah-nos”. It means “friends” or “countrymen” in Italian.
What kind of wine goes well with paesanos shrimp?
A light-bodied white wine such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, or Riesling would go well with paesanos shrimp. These wines have crisp and refreshing flavors that complement the tangy and buttery sauce and the sweet and succulent shrimp.
How do you reheat paesanos shrimp?
You can reheat paesanos shrimp in the oven or on the stovetop. To reheat it in the oven, preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and place the shrimp and the sauce in an oven-safe dish. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, until the shrimp are heated through and the sauce is bubbly. To reheat it on the stovetop, place the shrimp and the sauce in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until the shrimp are heated through and the sauce is simmering.
How do you store paesanos shrimp?
You can store paesanos shrimp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. To thaw it, place it in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of cold water for about an hour. Then, reheat it as instructed above.
Can you make paesanos shrimp without wine?
Yes, you can make paesanos shrimp without wine. You can substitute the wine with chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water. However, this may alter the flavor and aroma of the sauce.
Can you make paesanos shrimp without cream?
Yes, you can make paesanos shrimp without cream. You can substitute the cream with milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk. However, this may affect the consistency and richness of the sauce.
Can you make paesanos shrimp gluten-free?
Yes, you can make paesanos shrimp gluten-free. You can substitute the all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour, cornstarch, or rice flour. You can also omit the flour altogether and just season the shrimp with salt and pepper before sautéing them.
Can you make paesanos shrimp keto-friendly?
Yes, you can make paesanos shrimp keto-friendly. You can substitute the flour with almond flour, coconut flour, or psyllium husk. You can also use heavy cream instead of half-and-half cream for the sauce. You can serve it with low-carb bread, zucchini noodles, cauliflower rice, or spaghetti squash.
Can you make paesanos shrimp spicy?
Yes, you can make paesanos shrimp spicy. You can add some red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the sauce or to the shrimp before cooking them. You can also garnish the dish with some sliced jalapeños or serrano peppers for extra heat.
Conclusion
Paesanos shrimp is a delicious and easy recipe that you can make at home with simple ingredients and equipment. It’s a dish that will impress your family and friends with its flavor and presentation. It’s also a dish that you can customize to your liking, depending on your dietary needs and preferences.
If you enjoyed this article, please check out our other articles on how to make other dishes from Paesanos Restaurant, such as chicken piccata, veal marsala, and tiramisu. We hope you find them helpful and informative.