A quick recipe for shrimp scampi

Ever wonder how some people can give great dinner parties on short notice? They have a secret: fast, "fancy" dishes they've long since mastered. And adding show-stopping side dishes like asparagus never hurts the presentation. Check out this recipe for shrimp scampi, especially if you need to make a quick meal that's sure to impress.

• Preparation time: 20 minutes.
• Cooking time: 10 minutes.
• Serves 6.

Ingredients:

• 350 g (1 1/2 lb) large shrimp
• 10 ml (2 tsp) olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 150 ml (2/3 c) bottled clam juice or reduced-sodium, low-fat chicken broth
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) fresh lemon juice
• Salt to taste
• 0.5 ml (1/8 tsp) crushed red pepper flakes
• 5 ml (1 tsp) cornstarch blended with 15 ml (1 tbsp) water
• 50 g (1/4 c) chopped parsley

1. Shell the shrimp. If you wish to devein, make a shallow cut along the back of each shrimp and remove the black vein.
2. Spray large nonstick skillet with nonstick cooking spray. Add oil and heat over medium heat. Add garlic and cook until tender, about 2 minutes.
3. Add shrimp and cook, stirring frequently, until almost cooked through, about 3 minutes. Add clam juice, lemon juice, salt, and red pepper flakes and bring to a boil. Cook until shrimp are opaque throughout, about 1 minute.
4. With slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to serving plates. Bring liquid in skillet to a boil, stir in cornstarch mixture, and cook, stirring, until sauce is lightly thickened, about 1 minute. Stir in parsley and spoon sauce over shrimp.

Each serving provides:

Key nutrients: 210 calories, 35 calories from fat, 4 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat, 40 g protein, 2 g carb, 0 g fibre, 480 mg sodium

Blood pressure nutrients: 12 mg vitamin C, 70 mg magnesium, 425 mg potassium, 85 mg calcium

Scallop Scampi:

• In place of the shrimp, use large sea scallops and add them as in Step 3.
• Cook the scallops for only 1 minute before adding the clam and lemon juices. Cook one more minute.
• Add more garlic if you are a true garlic lover!
• Serve with rice and steamed asparagus, with fresh pineapple for dessert.

• Despite a reputation for being high in cholesterol, shrimp are actually good for your heart. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, zinc and vitamin B12, and their cholesterol levels are not much different than that in lean beef or poultry.
• Asparagus contains asparagine, a phytochemical that acts as a diuretic. The vegetable also contains rutin, a flavonoid that helps to maintain blood-vessel health, and saponins, compounds that prevent absorption of cholesterol.

Shrimp scampi is an excellent dish that you can make in a hurry. Keep this guide in mind and serve it at your next dinner party.