Shrimp Saganaki Santorini Style
Any time I make Shrimp Saganaki Santorini Style it brings me back to sailing on a catamaran in Greece! My Sweetheart and I were so lucky to take a five hour cruise around Oia in Santorini. On the boat, the crew prepared a decadent meal and my favorite dish was the Shrimp Saganaki Santorini Style. Sweet and savory, the ingredients are readily available and the process to make it is super simple.
Shrimp Saganaki Santorini Style Ingredients
- Olive oil
- Onion
- Green Pepper
- Shrimps
- honey
- white wine or Ouzo
- diced tomato
- tomato paste
- spices: salt, pepper, sweet paprika and dry basil
- feta cheese
Haris, the only female member of the crew, generously shared her Shrimp Saganaki recipe with me. She grew up in Santorini, Greece and this was her Mother’s way of preparing it. Really this recipe should be called Haris’ Shrimp Saganaki. How lucky for me that she spoke some English and seemed to like to serve as my tutor. As we were walking off the boat, she handed me this little sheet and I learned her written English was even better than her speaking and listening skills!
Santorini Style Saganaki is Easy to Prepare
Saganaki is simply food, often cheese, fried in a pan. It is popular to douse it with lemon or alcohol to serve it flaming. While in the United States and Canada, saganaki is often flaming, that is not typical in Greece.
Shrimp Saganaki Santorini Style is savory with onions and green peppers sauteed in extra virgin olive oil. White wine enhances the taste of the tomatoes and shrimp. Honey caramelizes the flavor and brings a hint of sweetness. Haris insists that basil and paprika are the best spices for this dish. Adding creamy feta after plating the dish, allows it to melt on the hot shrimp. The entire dish takes 20 minutes to make (including chopping) and is the perfect tapas with friends or a light meal for two.
Shrimp Saganaki is perfect to prepare if you need something quick for an unexpected evening. I can make a quick stop at the seafood market on the way home from work to pick up shrimp. All of the other ingredients are usually in my pantry. A scant 20-minute head start before friends arrive, they will walk into a lovely smelling house right as I am pouring a cold glass of white wine. They will think you are a magician producing something so tasty so quickly. I hope you enjoy it!
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Ingredients
Instructions
Pat the shrimp dry and lightly salt, set aside.
In a heavy bottomed fry pan heat the olive oil on medium high. Add the onions and green peppers, stirring frequently.
Once the green peppers and onions are softened, about four (4) minutes, add the shrimp. Stirring frequently for about 2 minutes. Add the paprika, basil and pepper. Stir for 30 seconds or until the fragrant.
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste and honey stir and bring to a low boil.
Add the white wine (or ouzo) and maintain a low boil for 4-5 minutes until the alcohol burns off. Remove from heat. Add the feta and serve immediately.
Nutrition Per Serving
Have the ingredients prepared, diced, and on hand ready as the timing of adding the ingredients moves quickly.
