I want you to take a tasty adventure with an easy dish that will elevate your overall taste – try the garlic shrimp gratin recipe.
In this blog post, we will discuss the complete process of preparation of garlic shrimp gratin. Later, we will also look at variations, pro tips to level up the taste, storage and freezing tips and much more.
What is Garlic Shrimp Gratin?
The garlic shrimp gratin is a delicious and rich dish which can be prepared with juicy shrimp baked in a creamy garlic sauce and topped with cheese and crunchy breadcrumbs. The shrimp are cooked with herbs, butter and garlic and then mixed with cheese or cream and put in a baking dish.
Once baked, it gets a bubbly, golden crust which provides texture and flavour. You can consider this dish an appetizer or a main course, and it can be served with pasta or crusty bread. The comforting texture and rich flavour make it a great choice for seafood lovers and a delightful addition to any meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy Preparation: This recipe is great for busy weeknights. It won’t take more than 30 minutes to cook, so you can make a tasty homemade meal quickly.
- Flavorful Marinade: The marinade for the beef provides a nice flavour with oyster sauce, soy sauce and ginger, offering a delicious and tender flavour in each bite.
- Colourful and Nutritious: The dish looks visually appealing with its bright colour of vegetables such as snow peas, bell peppers, and bean sprouts providing essential nutrients and fibres.
- Customizable Ingredients: You can easily customize the ingredients, such as shrimp, chicken, or tofu instead of beef, and feel free to add or remove any vegetables based on your preference.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This meal stores well, which makes it a perfect choice for meal prep. You can prepare a large batch and enjoy it for dinner or lunch during the week.
Tips
- Choose Fresh Shrimp: You can either choose fresh shrimp or high-quality frozen shrimp. If using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry to remove excess moisture.
- Don’t Overcook the Shrimp: Since the shrimp will keep cooking in the oven, cook them until turn pink. Overcooking can lead to rubby shrimp.
- Use Fresh Garlic: You can use fresh minced garlic for better flavour. Avoid using the pre-minced garlic, as it doesn’t contain a strong flavour.
- Garnish for Presentation: You can add fresh herbs such as parsley or chives for a refreshing flavour. You can also add a little lemon zest for a bright contrast.
- Serving Suggestions: You can try serving the shrimp gratin with a bed of rice, crusty bread or a refreshing salad to balance the richness of the dish.
Variations
- Creamy Spinach Shrimp Gratin: This variation contains cooked spinach mixed with the shrimp, which provides a nice contrast and nutrition. Ricotta or cream cheese is added for a creamy texture.
- Mushroom and Garlic Shrimp Gratin: Add cooked mushrooms to the shrimp and garlic, providing a delicious and flavourful dish. A mix of parmesan and gruyere cheese provides a rich and nutty topping.
- Asian-Inspired Shrimp Gratin: You can add coconut milk instead of cream, and fish sauce or a little soy sauce for an Asian flavour. You can top it with green onion and crushed sesame seeds for a little different flavour.
- Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian choice, you can use sauteed zucchini, asparagus and bell peppers. Vegetable broth is used in the cream sauce, making it a lighter and satisfying meal.
- Cheesy Broccoli Shrimp Gratin: You can add steamed broccoli florets to the shrimp, offering a nice contrast and nutrition. The mix of mozzarella and cheddar cheese offers a gooey and cheesy topping that complements the dish.
Serving Suggestions
- Salad: You can try herby salad with light vinaigrette which complements shrimp gratin. Butter lettuce or arugula with a champagne vinaigrette is a perfect choice.
- Grilled Vegetables: You can serve grilled vegetables such as bell peppers, zucchini or portobello mushrooms for better texture and flavour.
- Rice or Pasta: You can try pasta or rice such as linguine or angel hair, which soaks the delicious sauce and offers a satisfying base.
- Baked Potatoes: You can serve baked potatoes topped with chives and sour cream for a comforting side which goes well with the flavour of shrimp.
- Garlic Bread: Garlic bread is great for dipping into the creamy sauce and adds a cozy finish to the meal.
Storing and freezing
Storing
- Before storing, let the gratin cool, then store it in an air-tight container or cover it tightly with foil or plastic wrap.
- You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days.
Freezing
- Assemble the gratin but do not bake. Cover tightly with aluminium foil or plastic wrap.
- You can put it in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the garlic shrimp gratin recipe offers a delicious dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. With juicy shrimp creamy garlic sauce and crispy breadcrumb topping, it contains a perfect mix of comforting texture and flavours.
You can experiment with different variations to make the dish your own. So, grab your ingredients and start preparing the meal. Don’t forget to share your experience in the comments below.
Read More:- Buffalo Shrimp Recipe
Garlic Shrimp Gratin Recipe
Ingredients
- For the Shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley chopped
- For the Gratin:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- Additional parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Set the temperature of the oven to 200 C (400 F).
- In a large skillet, warm the butter over medium flame. Add red pepper flakes and minced garlic and cook until fragrant, it may take around 1 minute. Add the shrimp, season with salt and pepper and cook until turn pink. Mix in the chopped parsley and lemon juice. Remove it from the heat.
- Mix parmesan cheese, heavy cream and mozzarella cheese in a bowl. Stir thoroughly and season with salt and pepper based on your taste.
- In a baking sheet, evenly spread the cooked shrimp. Pour the cream mixture on top to ensure that the shrimp are fully coated.
- In a little-sized bowl, mix the panko breadcrumbs, paprika and olive oil until the breadcrumbs and completely coated. Then, sprinkle this mixture over the shrimp and cream.
- Bake in the oven until the top is golden brown and bubbly, it may take around 15-20 minutes.
- Take it out from the oven and let it cool completely. Garnish it with fresh parsley before serving. You can try the garlic shrimp gratin with crusty bread or with rice.
