Shrimp scampi – These little sea bugs are a dieter’s delite!
Shrimp, ad fish in general, have many health benefits that we should give serious consideration to if we trying to become healthier.
Shrimp are exceptionally nutrient dense. It is an excellent source of selenium, vitamin D and vitamin B12 (which all promote weight loss) and unusually low-fat, low-calorie protein. 4 ounce servings of shrimp will give you almost 24 grams of protein for a mere 112 calories and less than a gram of fat.
The one concern is that they are high in cholesterol. For which some people avoid them. But all studies done to this point indicate that the eating of shrimp does not contribute in a significant way to an increase in internal cholesterol.
“In a peer-reviewed scientific study, researchers looked at the effect of two diets, one which contained shrimp and the other eggs, on the cholesterol levels of people with normal lipid levels. In this randomized crossover trial, people ate either 300 grams of shrimp per day or two large eggs. (A randomized crossover trial is one in which groups cross over, trying out both possible protocols.) The shrimp diet did raise LDL levels (bad cholesterol) by 7%, but also raised HDL levels (good cholesterol) by 12%. In contrast, the egg diet raised LDL levels by 10% and HDL by 7%. The results then showed that the shrimp diet produced significantly lower ratios of total to HDL (“good”) cholesterol and lower ratios of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) to HDL cholesterol than the egg diet. In addition, in people who ate the shrimp diet, levels of triglycerides (a form in which fat is carried in the blood) decreased 13%.” Quoted from The World’s Healthest Foods.
It has also been shown to help health eaters in serveral other ways including
1) Shrimp Provide Large Cardiovascular Benefits
2) Protection against Fatal Heart Arrhythmia
3) Help Prevent and Control High Blood Pressure
4) Cancer-Protection from Selenium and Omega-3 Fatty Acids (Omega-3-Rich Diet Improves Mood, Reduces Depression)
5) Protection against Alzheimer’s and Age-related Cognitive Decline
Headlines quoted from source above.
How can you beat all of that!
So here is a simple recipe I’ve come up with that will help you enjoy not only the benefits – but all the flavor as well. This is for 4 servings approximately.
You will need the following
1lbs – Shrimp
2 Tbsp – Olive Oil
1Tbsp – Real Butter (or to reduce the calories even more use 1 Tbsp of the butter buds below)
6 cloves of Garlic pressed
4 servings of pasta – be sure to watch this one – you can really pack on the calories here. So make it a sensible serving. We tend to always over estimate pasta servings.
up to 6 Tbsp – Butter Buds (these will become one of your best friends
8 Tbsp Chicken broth. I like to take a chicken bolion cub (which makes a cup) and put it in 8 Tbsp of water. So it is extra dense in flavor. You can also use white wine (the “real” way to do it). But I honestly prefer the chicken broth
Black pepper to taste
Lemon Juice to taste
Green onions
Tomatoes – if you want to. It can add a nice color and flavor to them as well. It distracts from the shrimp a little too much personally, but if you’re going to presentation it is nice. You can put the slices on the side to keep the flavor more clean. Sliced avocado also provides a great toping to the side and the flavors mix well together
Start the pasta at the very beginning
Then heat your oil, butter, and garlic over medium heat (too hot and your burn the garlic and damage the shrimp).
Now add Shrimp. If it is not pre-cooked do this for about 2 mintes then add broth/wine. Cook for 4 more minutes. If it is pre-cooked add them all together at the same time, and only cook for 2 minutes if they are thawed. 4 if they are frozen.
While that is cooking you can slice of the green onion and tomato.
Your pasta should be done now. Drain and arrange. Now enjoy!
I like to add some of the butter buds to the pasta to give it a stronger butter flavor.
It will take 15-20 minutes especially if you have a little help on the slicing. It almost takes longer to cook the pasta than it does to get the rest of it ready.
Enjoy!
Matthew Stearmer
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Comments
Love, love, love this Shrimp Scampi recipe – in fact, the whole family does, althouh Tess still eyes the shrimp distrustfully and will not eat it – she has yet to develop her finer taste for things. Matt adapted this one from the Eating for Life Cookbook. Really, adjusting is almost how we cook everything – we adapt recipes constantly. I don't think there is a recipe out there that we haven't messed with, tweaked, and improved upon until we ogt it where we liked it. You can adapt recipes so they can be made for different family members at the same time as well – it is all in how you do it.
This is going to be something we cook over the weekend. I'm really looking
forward to it!
Thanks for the comments
This is a great article on health benefits of eating shrimps. I enjoy reading it. Especially the Shrimp scampi recipe. It seems easy to make and healthy too. Keep posting more of such wonderful posts.
I love shrimp scampi and I'm thrilled to hear that it's a good choice for dieting. Thanks for the great recipe! Shrimp Scampi is also good over a salad if you are watching your carb intake. Either way, it's great to hear that one of my favorite foods is also good for my health!
OH man that sounds delicious. That pressed garlic is going to really add to it. I didn't think of making a pasta this way, and had no idea it could have this many health benefits!
Unbelievable! I have never imagined that Shrimp Scampi is so good for health. Thanks for the Recipe, will try it out but never know what would be outcome!! Haaa.
I love shrimp..They are nutrious and above all delicious…But I have not tasted the Shrimp scampi..It seems to be a delicious one..Surely I will give a try this weekend. I feel like eating it while reading the recipe.
Shrimp is my favortie seafood. I was so happy to see the above information. My theory is everything in moderation. That shrimp recipe seems to combine some very healthy ingrediants for a great meal. I have saved it for future reference. Thank you for sharing.
[...] Original post by Stearmer [...]