Imagine a dish that transports you to the elegant kitchens of France with just one bite - a culinary masterpiece that combines succulent shrimp, aromatic tarragon, and tender spinach in a symphony of flavors that will make your taste buds dance! This quick and sophisticated recipe transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal that looks impressive but takes less than 30 minutes to prepare. Whether you're looking to wow dinner guests or treat yourself to a luxurious weeknight dinner, this shrimp recipe is your ticket to gourmet dining without the complicated techniques.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Shallots, minced
- Tarragon, fresh
- Spinach, fresh
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Prepare all ingredients by thoroughly washing the fresh spinach and tarragon. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels to ensure proper searing.
- Mince the shallots finely, creating uniform small pieces to distribute flavor evenly throughout the dish.
- Heat a large skillet or sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and allow it to shimmer but not smoke.
- Add minced shallots to the pan, sautéing them until they become translucent and slightly golden, approximately 2-3 minutes.
- Introduce the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pan, spreading them in a single layer to ensure even cooking.
- Season the shrimp with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and develop a light golden exterior.
- Chop fresh tarragon leaves and sprinkle them over the shrimp during the last minute of cooking to release their aromatic oils.
- Add fresh spinach leaves to the pan, gently folding them into the shrimp until they just begin to wilt, which takes approximately 1 minute.
- Remove from heat immediately to prevent overcooking the shrimp and spinach, maintaining their tender texture.
- Plate the dish, ensuring an even distribution of shrimp, shallots, tarragon, and wilted spinach. Serve immediately while hot.
Tips
- Pat your shrimp completely dry before cooking to achieve a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming.
- Use fresh tarragon if possible - its delicate anise-like flavor is key to this dish's authenticity.
- Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat to keep them tender and prevent rubberiness.
- Don't overcrowd the pan - give shrimp space to sear properly and develop a light golden exterior.
- Add spinach at the very end to maintain its bright color and fresh texture.
- Invest in high-quality olive oil for the best flavor profile.
- Serve immediately after cooking to enjoy the shrimp at their most tender and flavorful moment.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 276kcal
Carbohydrates: 9g
Protein: 27g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
