This is a wonderful Greek dish we discovered. Garides Saganaki means shrimp with cheese in Greek. It is a traditional dish typically made with shrimp, tomato sauce and feta cheese. Our recipe adds mint.

In Greece, Garides Saganaki is found in countless restaurants and ouzerie’s. It is also found in several Greek restaurants in the US. In some places it is cooked on the stovetop; yet in other places it is baked. Our recipe calls for it to be fixed on a stovetop and broiled at the end. It is generally served as a meze/appetizer. We eat it for dinner. Succulent shrimp, creamy feta and the clean flavor of the tomato and mint. What a fabulous combination! Make sure you have some bread.

Cooking time:  25 minutes; serves 4

Ingredients

• 4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 scallions, minced
• 1 tbsp. tomato paste 
• 1⁄2 cup white wine
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1⁄2 tsp. sugar
• 1⁄4 tsp. crushed red chile flakes
• 4 medium tomatoes, grated
• 3 tbsp. chopped fresh mint
• 16 large shrimp (about 3⁄4 lb.), peeled and deveined
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4 oz. feta 
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 tbsp. minced fresh parsley

Instructions

Arrange a rack 4″ from heating element; heat oven to broil. Heat oil in a 10″ skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and scallions; cook, until soft, 3–4 minutes. Stir in tomato paste; cook for 2 minutes. Add wine; cook until reduced by half, 3–4 minutes.

Add oregano, sugar, chile flakes, and tomatoes; boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, until slightly thickened, 12 minutes. Stir in mint and shrimp, season with salt and pepper; crumble feta over top. Broil until bubbly, 3–5 minutes. Squeeze lemon over top. Garnish with parsley.

Serve with bread & enjoy.