Skip to main content
  • My Greek Table with Diane Kochilas

Recipe: Shrimp Saganaki with Ouzo and Feta Cheese

Support Provided By
shrimp
Courtesy of My Greek Table with Diane Kochila

This recipe was originally published on dianekochilas.com.

Shrimp Saganaki with Ouzo and Feta Cheese

Makes 4 to 6 meze servings

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds large fresh shrimp, shelled and deveined, heads and tails on
  • 6 tablespoons ouzo.
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 4 tablespoons extra virgin Greek olive oil
  • 1 large red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 green chili pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 2 cups grated fresh tomato or chopped canned tomatoes
  • Salt, freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 teaspoons dried Greek oregano
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • ⅔ cup crumbled greek feta, optional

Instructions

Place the cleaned shrimp in a mixing bowl with the three tablespoons of ouzo AND LEMON JUICE and chill for 15 minutes or up to two hours, until ready to use.

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, deep frying pan. Sauté the onion and pepper until wilted, about 8 minutes. Stir in HALF the garlic. Add the tomato and bring to a simmer. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook for 15 minutes over medium-high heat, until most of the watery liquid from the tomatoes has evaporated.

In another skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium high heat and add the shrimp. Sear, toss with garlic, and when shrimp turn pink, spritz with remaining ouzo carefully as it may flame up a bit. Add shrimp and juices to tomato sauce and cook for a few minutes until firm but ready to eat. Stir in the dried oregano, parsley, lemon zest. Add crumbled feta, saying this is optional.

Variation: add ⅔ c crumbled feta at end, before parsley

Support Provided By
Read More
A black and white photo of an adult dressed as the easter bunny with a giant costumed head, holding a little girl on their left who gives it a kiss on the cheek and, with his right arm, holding a little boy who brings his hands to his eyes as though wiping away tears.

Behold the Bunnies and Bonnets of L.A.'s Past Easter Celebrations

The onset of the spring season heralds the arrival of fragrant flowers in bloom — and all the critters that enjoy them, including the Easter bunny and families who anticipate his arrival with egg hunts, parades and questionable fashion choices.
A black and white image of an elephant holding a broom with its trunk. A man is seen near the elephant, walking towards the animal.

Lions and Tigers and Cameras! How the Movies Gave Los Angeles a Zoo

The early days of the movies in Los Angeles inadvertently allowed visitors to experience the largest collection of animals in the western United States. When animals weren't appearing in a movie, they were rented out to other film companies, performed for studio visitors, or in the case of filmmaker William Selig's collection — an opportunity to create one of Los Angeles' first zoos.
A vertical, black and white portrait of a blonde woman wearing a sparkly four-leaf clover costume as she holds her arms out and extends a leg as though in a curtsy.

Irish for a Day: L.A.'s History of 'Going Green' on St. Patrick's Day

Whether it was a parade, dance, tea party, home celebration or just enjoying a good ol' wee dram of whisky, here's a photo essay of how Los Angeles donned its green apparel to celebrate St. Patrick's Day and embrace the luck o' the Irish over the years.