Description
This Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice Stack is a flavorful and visually stunning dish that combines tender shrimp cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce layered atop fluffy white rice. Perfect for an elegant weeknight dinner or special occasion, this recipe offers a delightful balance of savory, garlicky shrimp with a hint of heat from red pepper flakes and freshness from chopped parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse Rice: Rinse the white rice under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch for fluffier cooked rice.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice, 1 ½ cups water, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Bring to Boil: Place the saucepan over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer Rice: Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover the pan with a lid, and let the rice simmer gently for 18-20 minutes until tender and water is absorbed.
- Rest Rice: Remove the saucepan from heat and let the rice sit covered for 5 minutes to steam and finish cooking.
- Melt Butter: While the rice rests, melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Sauté Garlic: Add minced garlic to the melted butter and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Cook Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
- Season Shrimp: Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste over the shrimp and stir to combine flavors.
- Add Parsley: Stir in chopped fresh parsley and then remove the skillet from heat.
- Assemble Stack: Using a small round bowl as a mold, layer the cooked rice and shrimp alternately on a serving plate to create a stack.
- Unmold Stack: Carefully lift the bowl off to reveal the layered shrimp and rice stack with an attractive presentation.
- Drizzle Butter Sauce: Pour any remaining garlic butter from the skillet over the shrimp and rice stack to enhance flavor and moisture.
- Garnish: Optionally garnish with additional fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness.
- Serve: Serve the Garlic Butter Shrimp and Rice Stack immediately while warm for best taste and texture.
Notes
- Ensure shrimp are peeled and deveined for the best texture and eating experience.
- Rinsing rice removes excess starch and prevents it from becoming gummy.
- Use fresh garlic for the best flavor in the butter sauce.
- Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
- You can substitute white rice with jasmine or basmati rice for a different aroma and taste.
- Carefully handle the stack when unmolding to maintain its shape.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a green salad for a complete meal.
