Mediterranean Summer Breeze Shrimp Appetizer

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb large shrimp, shell and tail removed, deveined, cut lengthwise slightly (12 pieces)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or less optional)
• 2 teaspoons vinegar
• 6 garlic cloves, chopped finely
• 1/2 cup chopped tomato, chopped finely
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon black pepper (peppercorns ground fine)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less optional)
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 4 tablespoons kalamata olives, pits removed and coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons capers
• 4 tablespoons feta cheese, crumbled
• 4 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon ouzo (optional)
• 2 lemons, cut up into wedges

Directions

1. 1

   Place cleaned shrimp in a mixing bowl, add 1/2 teaspoon salt, vinegar and toss.

2. 2

   Make a spice mixture of; 1/2 teaspoon salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, ground cumin, tarragon, 1 tablespoon of oregano; set aside.

3. 3

   On individual plates place some chopped up olives, capers, crumbled feta cheese and lemon wedges on the side.

4. 4

   Place 3 tablespoons olive oil in a pan, when slightly hot add garlic and chopped tomatoes; Stir for about 30 seconds until garlic smell is released.

5. 5

   Add shrimp to pan, sprinkle on top of each shrimp part of the spice mixture; When shrimps starts to turn pink, turn them over (only once) and fry second side; add the balance of spice mixture to the top of the shrimp; put some of the garlic/tomato from the pan on top as well; When shrimp on second side appears pink, sprinkle with a generous amount of dry oregano on each shrimp. Place shrimp on top of chopped olives, capers, feta cheese in individual plates.

6. 6

   From the pan scrap up the tomatoes and spices (add 1-2 tablespoons of water to make it moist). Then add on top and on sides of the shrimps.

7. 7

   Add some lemon juice to each shrimp and a very tiny amount of ouzo(option).

8. 8

   Serve and enjoy!

9. 9

   Note:.

10. 10

    a) MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT OVERCOOK THE SHRIMP!

11. 11

    b) This recipe was submitted for the RSC#7 contest. I want to thank everyone for their reviews. I have since then modified the recipe to reflect people's comments, for a better recipe!