Recipe: Easy Baked Shrimp or Fish, Easy Butterfly Shrimp, Easy Shrimp Scampi for Shelley

EASY BAKED SHRIMP OR FISH
4 servings

1/4 cup olive Oil
1-1/2 pounds peeled and deveined shrimp (see Note), or fish fillets cut into 1-1/2 inch pieces
1 tablespoon jarred minced garlic (or 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Lemon wedges (optional)

Heat oven to 475F. Pour olive Oil into a 13 x 9 x 2-inch ovenproof baking dish. Add shrimp. Sprinkle with garlic, salt and pepper. Toss with bread crumbs and parsley. Bake shrimp at 475F for 5 minutes. Turn gently with slotted spatula. Bake 3 to 5 minutes, or until pink and bread crumbs are brown. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges, if desired.

Note: Shrimp that is already peeled and deveined can be found at many fish counters or frozen. If using shell-on shrimp, add 15 to 20 minutes to the preparation time. The dish can be prepared up to the cooking a few hours in advance, and refrigerated, tightly covered.

Easy Butterfly Shrimp
If you love seafood, but have never ventured out of your way to try and cook it, well here is a simple starter recipe.

1 pound of cleaned shrimp
1 cup bisquick baking mix
2 eggs
1/2 cup of cold water
1/2 teaspoon salt

Heat oil (1 1/2)" to 375~in electric skillet. Cut slit lengthwise in shrimp but don't cut through. Flatten shrimp and pat dry. Stir remaining ingredients until smooth. Dip shrimp into batter. Fry in hot oil 1/2 to one full minute on each side or until golden brown. Drain and serve immediately.

Easy Shrimp Scampi

1/4 cup finely chopped onion
4 cloves garlic, crushed
4 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped
3/4 cup butter
2 pounds fresh medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Salt to taste

Saute onion, garlic, and parsley in butter until onion is tender. Reduce heat to low. Add shrimp. Cook, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon to a serving dish. Keep warm. Add remaining ingredients to butter mixture. Simmer 2 minutes. Pour butter mixture over shrimp. Serve immediately with French bread. Serves: 4.