Shrimp sorta Scampi

Shrimp Scampi is an oxymoron -- "scampi" meaning "shrimp" in Italian. So, when we make Shrimp Scampi we are making Shrimp in the Style of Shrimp. Interestingly you find this in other languages, even consistently in that language. Yu Shiang Fish is Fish in the Style of Fish in Chinese (where they would say, I suppose, something like Shiang Yu Shiang or somesuch).

While Joseph is away, we decided to use those frozen shrimp in the freezer -- he's allergic, poor guy, and gets hives at least. It's a potentially very dangerous allergy.

While the cat's away!

Shrimp sorta Scampi

1 LB package, 70-110 count shell-off frozen shrimp
1.5 T crushed garlic (yes, the kind you keep in a jar in the fridge! for this you want the garlic to incorporate in the sauce -- if you like the texture, us minced and increase to 2T to account for the extra air...!)
1/4C salted butter (add a smidge of salt if you use unsalted)
1/2C sake
5 squirts Bragg's Aminos (available at health food stores -- I have a little in a spritz bottle and refill it from a big bottle -- better than soy on some things, less coloring)
1/8t Cayenne
white pepper to taste
1.5T tapioca starch (optional!)
Juice of a large lemon

Rinse and crack apart shrimp, set aside in a colander while creating sauce.
Melt butter over med/low heat.
Combine garlic, sake, aminos, cayenne in pan over medium heat until the area is redolent with garlic.
Add pepper to taste (remember there's lemon coming!). White pepper preserves the blond-ness of the sauce.

Rinse the shrimp again, as they will have frozen back together. Add them to the pan. When they are thawed but still a bit crisp, they are done. This requires you to snack on a few while cooking -- poor you!

If you have someone in your house who thinks that butter sauces are greasy, or who can't deal with sauces that migrate across the plate, remove the shrimp from the pan with a slotted spoon and stir in the tapioca starch. It will make a creamy sauce without adding much flavor or calories.

Add fresh squeezed lemon, and combine all in a serving dish. Invite smiles to the table!