Saganaki (Greek Shrimp with Feta Cheese)

INGREDIENTS
1 pound of jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 teaspoon Kosher salt  
1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
4 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon Red pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 large can of dices or crush tomatoes (28 ounces) (you can also use freshly chopped tomatoes)
2 tablespoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon dried oregano
Fresh parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon honey
¼ cup White wine or Ouzo
½ lemon, juiced
6 ounces feta cheese
 
DIRECTIONS
 

1. Season your cleaned shrimp with ½ lemon juiced, 1 tablespoon olive oil, finely chopped garlic, salt and black pepper. Toss well and set aside.  
2. In a cast iron skillet, or a oven proof skillet heat the remaining olive oil on medium heat and sauté the onions for 5 minutes until they start to turn golden brown.  Add garlic, pepper flakes, and oregano and cook for an additional minute or until garlic is soft.
3. Add in white wine and continue to cook for 4 minutes, add in tomatoes, honey and half the parsley. Stir well and allow to continue to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. One sauce is reduced, and alcohol has evaporated taste sauce and adjust your seasoning. Stir in the shrimp and the remaining parsley. Cover and cook for 4 minutes, shrimp should begin to turn pink, remove the lid and crumble the feta cheese over the top of the shrimp dish.
5. You can continue to cook the dish on the stove top or in the oven:
   1. Stove Top Option -  Cover the skillet with the lid and continue to cook for another 5 minutes until the feta is soft and looks like it has melted.
      
   2. Oven Options – Preheat your oven to Boil (500 °F). With the lid removed from the skillet, place skillet into the oven and boil for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and serve hot with plenty of Crusty bread and garnish with some fresh parsley.

 
 
 
On my recent trip to Greece, I came across this wonderful shrimp appetizer.  It was served with crusty bread to mop up the mouthwatering sauce. Saganaki is named after the pan in which various small appetizer dishes are prepared, similar to a cast iron skillet.