Baked Feta and Tomato Shrimp

Baked Feta Shrimp

3 starving kids who were looking for something hearty for dinner after a softball game and lacrosse practice = a big pot of pasta with ricotta marinara sauce.  )Just add about 1 cup of ricotta cheese to 2 cups of  homemade marinara sauce or purchased marinara sauce and viola....ricotta marinara sauce.)

2 parents looking for more than pasta for dinner on a Friday night during Lent = Baked Feta and Tomato Shrimp dinner.

With a bag of frozen shrimp in the freezer and a couple pantry and refrigerator ingredients, our Friday night dinner was on the table in 20 minutes.  Baked Feta and Tomato Shrimp had all the flavor of a restaurant quality dish without the added expense of dining out.  I like to eat out just as much as the next person, but when making a delicious entree is so simple, it was just as easy to eat at home.

Baked Feta and Tomato Shrimp is loaded with garlic panko crumbs, fire roasted tomatoes, jumbo shrimp and salty feta cheese.  With a loaf of crusty bread and a salad of mixed greens with balsamic vinaigrette, dinner is complete.

Enjoy dinner at home tonight.  Your wallet will thank you.


Baked Feta and Tomato Shrimp

This recipe is just as tasty as one from your favorite seafood restaurant.  It can be made up to the point of just before roasting and stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 6 hours.  Add a couple extra minutes to the roasting time if putting the entree directly from the refrigerator to the oven. 

serves 4

2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for baking dish
4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 cup panko
1 1/2 pounds shrimp, 21 - 25 per pound, peeled and deveined
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (15-ounce) can fire roasted tomatoes, drained
1/2 cup feta, crumbled
10 fresh basil leaves, chopped

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a small saucepan over medium heat add butter and olive oil.  When butter begins to just bubble, remove the pan from the heat and add the garlic.  Let sit for 3 - 5 minutes.  Add the panko and stir to combine.  Set aside.

Brush a 9-inch baking dish with a little olive oil.  Add the shrimp and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.  Top with the tomatoes, the garlic panko and sprinkle the feta.  Bake for 12 minutes or until the shrimp are just cooked through.  Remove from oven and top with the basil.