The rest of the menu complements the shrimp. Rice pilaf is the perfect vehicle for soaking up the wonderful lemony, garlicky butter from the shrimp. Garlic toast adds crunch and more buttery flavor to the menu. A crisp green salad is necessary to balance the rich entree. And dessert is one of my showstoppers: Chocolate Crepes with Caramel Sauce.
Make the crepes, the filling, and the caramel sauce the day before your dinner party. The bread can be assembled in the morning, along with the salad dressing. The pilaf and the shrimp have to be made just before serving, so this isn't a make-ahead menu. Let your guests relax with Parmesan Sticks and some chilled white wine while you put the finishing touches on your dinner; then enjoy!
Shrimp Scampi Dinner
- Parmesan Sticks
Make these delicious, melting appetizers the day before your party. Follow the directions for thawing the puff pastry carefully. - Baked Shrimp Scampi
The centerpiece for your meal is a very indulgent recipe, but that's okay; it's the holidays! If you can find fresh unfrozen shrimp, they should smell sweet and like the ocean. However, most shrimp is sold frozen; put the shrimp in the freezer right away when you get home from shopping. Defrost it in the fridge during the day of your party. - Rice Pilaf
This foolproof recipe will become a staple in your repertoire. The broth is at the boiling point when added to the rice, which shortens the cooking time and ensures that every grain absorbs the liquid. - Pear and Greens Salad
Buy the pears a few days ahead of time and store them at room temperature, all together in a brown paper bag. I like my pears to be soft for this elegant sweet and crunchy salad. - Toasted Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is the traditional accompaniment to Shrimp Scampi. This recipe combines butter and olive oil for a depth of flavor not found in most recipes. - Chocolate Crepes with Caramel Sauce
All of the parts to this spectacular recipe are made ahead of time; all you have to do when serving is assemble the crepes. Make extra chocolate crepes and freeze them; they are fabulous filled with ice cream and drizzled with any purchased caramel or chocolate sauce.
