Shrimp Saganaki

Slofoodgroup Team September 29, 2021

Greek Baked Shrimp

Shrimp Saganaki is a widely loved greek recipe in which the shrimps get cooked in a spiced tomato sauce. Generally, feta and dill get sprinkled over top and it is served with fresh, crusty bread. The most prevalent spice in this recipe is cinnamon and while most recipes call for ground cinnamon, we prefer to add a cinnamon stick instead. The flavor is more intense and it makes the dish heartier. This recipe yields two potions as a main, but if served as an appetizer, it yields 4.

The name saganaki, actually directly describes anything served in a small frying pan, usually appetizers. Saganaki is merely the diminutive of the Greek word Sagani which means frying pan. 

Shrimp Baked with Tomatoes and Feta

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
• 1 cinnamon stick, broke in half
• 5-8 allspice berries
• 2 handful cherry tomatoes
• salt and pepper to taste 
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 pound prawns
• 2 tablespoon feta, crumbled
• pinch of dill
• crusty baguette, to serve

Procedure

1. Start by making the sauce. Add the olive oil, onions, and garlic and cook until translucent, for 5-7 minutes.
2. Add the cinnamon stick together with the chili flakes and allspice berries and cook for 30 seconds more, to waken the flavors.
3. Bring the cherry tomatoes in, stir and cover. Allow to cook for 15 minutes or until the tomatoes become saucy.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Balance the acidity with sugar and set aside.
5. Preheat the oven to 220C/430F.
6. Transfer the tomato sauce to two single-serving oven-proof containers. Add the shrimps in and mix. Crumble feta and dill on top and bake for 15 minutes or until the shrimps are fully cooked.
7. Serve hot with crusty bread.