Hot and Spicy Shrimp

Ingredients

• 1 pound butter
• 1/4 cup peanut oil
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 tablespoons rosemary
• 1 teaspoon chopped basil
• 1 teaspoon chopped thyme
• 1 teaspoon chopped oregano
• 1 small hot pepper, chopped, or 2 tablespoons ground cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 2 bay leaves, crumbled
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 2 pounds raw shrimp in their shells
• Salt

Instructions

1. Shrimp should be of a size to number 30/35 per pound.
2. Melt the butter and oil in a flameproof baking dish. Add the garlic, herbs, peppers, bay leaves, paprika, and lemon juice, and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer 10 minutes, stirring frequently.
3. Remove the dish from the heat and let the flavors marry at least 30 minutes.
4. This hot butter sauce can be made a day in advance and refrigerated.
5. Heat the oven to 450 degrees F. Reheat the sauce, add the shrimp, and cook over medium heat until the shrimp just turn pink, then bake in the oven about 30 minutes more.
6. Taste for seasoning, adding salt if necessary.
7. Sop up butter sauce with crusty bread after the shrimp have been eaten.

Attribution

New Southern Cooking - Nathalie Dupree