What I did for Love

My Mother's favorite food in the entire world is shrimp.  She could eat it 3 meals a day for weeks on end and still think it's divine.  Here's the rub:

Upon marrying my Dad my Mom had to give up shrimp.  Can you imagine giving up your favorite food in the entire world for someone?  That's true love.  They just happily celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary, so it appears she made the right choice...And I thought that moving from NYC for love was rough!  My Mom was visiting us (without my Dad) last night and in her honor I made a shrimp dish (don't tell Pops!)

Greek Shrimp with Ouzo and Feta

olive oil

1 pound shrimp, deveined and shelled (frozen is fine, just thaw first)

2 cans diced tomatoes

3 garlic cloves, chopped

1 tsp Oregano

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup Ouzo (Greek liquor...don't worry, the Nyquil taste goes away after cooking... or use white wine)

chopped parsley (Italian is better for this, but don't worry if you can't get it.  Curly will work)

Pasta

Heat oven to 375

In a large sauté pan  over med-hi, heat oil, garlic, oregano, pepper flakes until fragrant.  Add shrimp.  Coat with garlic mixture and cook until almost fully cooked.  Move to a glass or enameled baking dish.  In the same sauté pan, lower heat to med-low (otherwise the ouzo will flame momentarily!) add Ouzo, cook off alchohol (about 2 minutes.)  Add tomato Mixture.  Cook for 2 minutes to combine.

Cover the shrimp mixture with the tomato mixture.  Top with Crumbled feta.  Put in to oven and bake for 15 minutes.  Top with parsley.  Serve over pasta.

Opa!