Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Don't Sleep on the Chardonnay!

So, I cooked. You know, I seem to amaze my damn self sometimes. Do you ever have those moments? I knew I had shrimp, garlic, butter, and wine - but what was a man to do? I bought a bunch of parsley and whipped together something I call a creamy scampi. Well, it's not really scampi because scampi calls for lemon - but oh well, it's my world and I break the rules, right? So, I called it Creamy Shrimp Scampi - DTW style!

I started with butter, olive oil, garlic (smashed and chopped), and shallots. You get a nice carmelization on those and I added in the wine. Typically folks use pinot, right? Well, all I had was chardonnay and I'm sticking with it from now on. The key is to let the wine reduce. If you don't, then don't bother w/fixing this meal. I seasoned this mixture with nothing more than salt (kosher of course) and fresh pepper. I added in the shrimp and some frozen peas. I don't know what it is with me and peas - but I love them...to death. Those little poppers are so tasty! I always have a bag in my freezer. Get the frozen kind - canned veggies are from the Devil. Anyway, add cream, fresh parm, chopped parsley, and linguine and you've got a meal. I topped mine w/more cheese and fresh cracked pepper.

This took all of 15 minutes from start to finish. Give it a try - and remember, let the Chardonnay reduce...don't sleep on that part!

Click here for pictures...or see them below.

-DTW














Chopping Parsley
















The white wine reducing!

















Linguini - smoking hot!

















A frozen lemonade drink - I know you see that bottle of Jose Cuervo!
















The finished product

















Happy Face Plate!

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48 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 29, 2008 at 8:44 PM

    LOL... OK you coulda spared us the last picture with the shrimp tails! Looks really good tho!

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  2. One Man’s OpinionJuly 29, 2008 at 8:57 PM

    I really want you to go onto Bravo's "Top Chef". Seriously.

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  3. DreamyJuly 29, 2008 at 9:32 PM

    "smacking"

    you know i gotta get rid of my roomate right,lol

    i am so hungry right now!!!

    and the food looks so Delish

    hey i totally agree with One Man, Top Chef is for you honey

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  4. Sexxy LuvJuly 29, 2008 at 10:02 PM

    That looks really good!

    i have come up with a great idea....since there is only 6.5 hours distance between you and i, you should drive to Mineesota and cook me a dish for my birthday in October! lol

    oh did you get the siverware at Target?

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  5. La Bella CooksJuly 29, 2008 at 10:35 PM

    Creamy, cheesy shrimp. It doesn't get any better than that. I agree, chardonnay always is better to cook with than pinot.

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  6. AnonymousJuly 30, 2008 at 2:40 AM

    That looked great. I'm a sucka for shrimp and garlic. Don't you want to move to London and be my personal chef?

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  7. OhioMomJuly 30, 2008 at 3:39 AM

    Yummy! Garlic and shrimp just belong together. I love English peas (that's what mama called them), unfortunately my food critics won't touch them. I always tell them "pick them out" :)

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  8. Promiscuous XJuly 30, 2008 at 5:15 AM

    I'm not a fan of shrimp...now if you woulda said sum chicken lol now we talkn...BTW I stumble on this blog by accident. Me being so fast and not reading, I click the first link which is usually the main one but I see you switched it around. lol Clever move sir lol

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  9. CluizelJuly 30, 2008 at 6:28 AM

    DAMN! Delicious...yeah...I think you should move back to NY and let me buy the groceries. lol

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  10. TafariJuly 30, 2008 at 7:17 AM

    Kendal Jackson is my favorite Chardonnay, hands down!!!

    Bygbaby

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  11. Proud Italian CookJuly 30, 2008 at 7:57 AM

    I'd be real happy with a plate of food like that, and I'll take all the peas too!

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  12. CharlesJuly 30, 2008 at 9:01 AM

    I love the presentation...but I don't do seafood though...

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  13. JameilJuly 30, 2008 at 9:05 AM

    i don't like shrimp but mmmm. i think i'd eat that anyway! :)

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  14. JanJuly 30, 2008 at 9:48 AM

    Mmmm - Looks delish!

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  15. ErinJuly 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM

    I love when you can just whip up a pasta dish based on what's in the fridge. I love shrimp, too, so this is my kind of pasta!

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  16. test it commJuly 30, 2008 at 3:54 PM

    That looks good! I really like quick shrimp dishes like this.

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  17. Lori LynnJuly 30, 2008 at 6:15 PM

    You are a funny man! And I wouldn't sweat the scampi minus lemon, as there you have it on the side in your tequila lemon cooler, perfect pairing.

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  18. Miss Snarky PantsJuly 30, 2008 at 8:52 PM

    Got one question: Will you marry me??? Oh never mind!!!! LOL

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  19. Rosa's Yummy YumsJuly 30, 2008 at 9:03 PM

    What a delicious looking dish! A wonderful meal! Yummy!

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  20. PrudyJuly 30, 2008 at 10:51 PM

    Hubba Hubba-this looks fab!

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  21. Maria VerivakiJuly 31, 2008 at 12:10 AM

    you cook so well - those photos look finger licking delicious

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  22. Nikki @ NikSnacksJuly 31, 2008 at 4:50 AM

    I like that you use a Santuko. No, no...LOVE that! It's my favorite knife and I hardly use anything else in the kitchen. I have two.
    Hey might make a tartare one day and need both at the same time!

    You can use whatever wine you've got on hand, bro. I don't know what people usually use in scampi.

    I really don't like shrimp or cream but I'd try this with diced chicken and maybe spinach, collards or chard instead of the peas.

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  23. Alicia FoodycatJuly 31, 2008 at 6:50 AM

    Nice work! I don't really like drinking chardonnay (unless it is a French style one) but this - with whatever I am drinking - would be delicious!

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  24. TeresaJuly 31, 2008 at 7:12 AM

    Looks delicious! I love shrimp but rarely fix it because my family won't touch it. I'll have to try this one.

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  25. fuzzyJuly 31, 2008 at 7:59 AM

    I always enjoy a good reduction! I haven't used much chardonnay though...

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  26. TiciaJuly 31, 2008 at 9:20 AM

    Can i come over? You know I live in Chicago :)

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  27. Turn me up a lilJuly 31, 2008 at 10:32 AM

    I think if i didn't let the wine reduce you would come take my life

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  28. AnonymousJuly 31, 2008 at 12:59 PM

    where has this blog been all my life...I love it!! That shrimp looks so so tasty....FoodNetwork star contender perhaps?

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  29. Susan from Food BloggaJuly 31, 2008 at 2:26 PM

    Heck, yeah, you can break the rules! And I like this shrimp scampi, DTW style.

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  30. Joey BahamasJuly 31, 2008 at 4:21 PM

    DTW....that looks sooooo good! When you comin back to DC??? LOL

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  31. SPICEHOUNDJuly 31, 2008 at 5:30 PM

    Fresh peas! You should be able to get fresh peas in Chicago this time of year. Looks great. Support your local farmer.

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  32. SarahJuly 31, 2008 at 6:25 PM

    Ooo, a yummy riff on shrimp scampi AND it only takes a few minutes to put together! That's right up my alley! Thanks for sharing this recipe--I share your love of peas.

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  33. EmilyJuly 31, 2008 at 7:09 PM

    Did you say butter? Then yes, yes, I would like this. Very much. :)

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  34. RealHustlaJuly 31, 2008 at 8:04 PM

    So, I read on the other blog about the get fit plan. I don't know how this meal fits into that, but if it does, I want in? Can you give me some more details please?

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  35. AnonymousAugust 1, 2008 at 5:14 AM

    this looks great! :)

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  36. AnonymousAugust 1, 2008 at 4:28 PM

    Sounds like you've found your calling?

    What do you do for a day job? Cuz you have found your passion and it's cooking.

    So when I buy that fab house in the Windy City, I'm having a housewarming and hiring you as my chef.

    All top attorneys have personal chefs, don't they???

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  37. NicoleAugust 1, 2008 at 4:45 PM

    Butter, garlic, wine.... All makes for some very happy and tasty shrimp in my book... no matter what you call it. I am with you on the canned vegetables. YUCK! No one in my family eats them.

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  38. The Dreamy OneAugust 1, 2008 at 9:29 PM

    i know my blog is supposed to be private but its acting retarded and it wont let me read some of my favorite post.

    so its open now....

    update me on the blogroll, the name is thedreamyones.blogspot

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  39. DeeAugust 2, 2008 at 1:14 AM

    That sounds like one amazing dish! Nice dinenrware too :)

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  40. Sandi @the WhistleStop CafeAugust 2, 2008 at 10:09 AM

    You are a rock star!
    I'll just have a glass of wine while that is reducing. Looks yummy!

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  41. ChristineAugust 2, 2008 at 5:36 PM

    I love shrimp scampi! I used to ask for it to be made as my birthday dinner, but I guess I forgot about it. I used to use sherry, but now I use chardonnay, too.

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  42. Susan @ SGCCAugust 2, 2008 at 10:16 PM

    Wow! That scampi looks divine! Gorgeous shrimp! What a great idea to make it creamy. That way the sauce holds on to the pasta better! ;)

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  43. DragonAugust 3, 2008 at 8:21 AM

    It's your world and it sounds delicious. :) I love the addition of peas. Wish I had a bowl of that right now!

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  44. PatriCa BBAugust 3, 2008 at 10:04 AM

    Hi Darius,

    Chardonay from which country you used? Does it matter? I love good food!

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  45. dessexAugust 4, 2008 at 4:01 PM

    damn lookin at yo dishes makes me want to step my game up. I need the recepie for that joint asap.

    I also notice that you use fresh shrimp. Thats the best way to go when everything is fresh. None of that frozen crap when it comes to seafood.

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  46. AnonymousAugust 4, 2008 at 8:30 PM

    'Pass the peas.. Pass the peas..' Wasn't there a song by Maceo Parker that goes like that? :-)

    Oh man, that pasta looks awesome but this ain't fair though. I'm starving now and it's 11:30pm. Damn! your fault. hehe.

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  47. glamah16August 9, 2008 at 12:05 PM

    LOOKS AMAZING!

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  48. UnknownAugust 10, 2008 at 8:37 AM

    great for you for not being "scurred" of the wine!! nice plate, too!

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