Cajun Crusted Shrimp Scampi

Sunday evening I was deciding what to make for dinner. I wanted something that was a twist on favorite classic. Having shrimp on hand, I opted for shrimp scampi. I didn't want just the normal scampi though, so I decided to reinvent it with a little more kick and a bit more texture.

Here's what I did:

CAJUN CRUSTED SHRIMP SCAMPI

You'll need;
-Seafood baking boats(the kind that scampi is normally served in)
-1-1½ lbs. of raw P&D shrimp. Tails removed.
-1 stick unsalted butter
-2 garlic cloves finely chopped
-1 Tablespoon garlic powder +1 teaspoon reserved for breadcrumbs
-1 lemon squeezed
-¼ cup olive oil
-¾ cup Panko breadcrumbs
-2 Tablespoons Cajun or blacken seasoning
-2 tablespoons of chopped flat leaf parsley. You can use curly if you can't find flat leaf. As long as it's chopped. This is just used as a garnish.

What to do:
Over low heat melt the stick of butter, reserving 1 tablespoon to use later for sauteing. Skim the milk solids off the top of the melted butter. There! You've just made clarified butter. Add the lemon juice, chopped garlic and garlic powder to the butter and keep warm. Place the shrimp in a zip top plastic bag and add the Cajun/blacken seasoning. Heat 1/8 cup of the olive oil and the reserved tablespoon of butter in a medium fry pan and sautee´ the shrimp over medium heat until cooked through. This should only take 1½-2 minutes on each side. Divide the cooked shrimp among-st the baking boats and then evenly pour the garlic butter mixture over each. In a small bowl mix together remaining olive oil, breadcrumbs and reserved teaspoon of garlic powder. Spread the Panko mixture evenly over each of the scampi boats. Put the boats in broiler with broiler set to the low setting and allow to cook until just browned and crisp on top. MAKE SURE TO KEEP AND EYE ON THIS PROCESS the broiler can turn the dish from golden brown to burnt if you're not careful. Remove from oven and top with chopped parsley and serve.

I was so pleased with this dish. All of the wonderful flavor of classic shrimp scampi with a new spicy crunchy wist! Hope you like!