Simple Garlic Shrimp

Ingredients

• 1.5 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
• salt to taste
• 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 0.25 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon caper brine
• 2 tablespoons cold butter, cut into 4 equal pieces, divided
• 1/3 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley, divided
• 1 teaspoon water, or as needed

Steps

1. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-duty skillet over high heat until it just begins to smoke. Place shrimp in an even layer in the pan; cook, undisturbed, for 1 minute.
2. Season shrimp with salt; cook, stirring, until shrimp begin to turn pink, about 1 minute.
3. Add garlic and red pepper flakes; cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
4. Stir in lemon juice, caper brine, 1 piece of butter, and 1/2 of the parsley; cook until butter melts, about 1 minute.
5. Reduce heat to low and stir in remaining 3 pieces of butter. Cook, stirring, until butter melts, sauce thickens, and shrimp are pink and opaque, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Remove shrimp with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl; continue cooking butter sauce, adding water, 1 teaspoon at a time, if too thick, about 2 minutes.
7. Season with salt to taste; serve shrimp topped with the pan sauce and remaining parsley.