Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
• 3 large garlic cloves, very finely chopped (please, only use fresh garlic. You can use a little more, if desired)
• 2 teaspoons chopped flat leaf parsley (Italian parsley)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
• 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leave
• kosher salt, to taste
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• 3 lbs large shrimp, shelled and deveined, tails left on
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (Italian parsley)
• 1 tablespoon thinly-sliced fresh basil leaf

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

2. 2

   In a medium bowl, mix the butter with the chopped garlic, 2 teaspoons of the chopped parsley, the lemon zest, lemon juice, and chopped thyme leaves, and season with salt and pepper to taste. (Please, don't over-season with the salt and pepper -- start with just a pinch of each and add more, if desired.).

3. 3

   In a large gratin dish (or a pretty, shallow oven-proof casserole -- if you don't have a gratin dish), arrange the shrimp, tails up, in a circular pattern. dot the shrimp with the flavored butter and roast for about 10 minutes, until the shrimp are pink and the butter is bubbling.

4. 4

   Remove from oven and sprinkle the shrimp with the remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley and the basil leaves. Serve hot and don't forget to have some crusty bread.