Truth be told, you won't find shrimp scampi as such on an Italian menu: Scampi are clawed prawns -- in other words, a kind of shrimp -- and putting Shrimp Shrimp on a menu doesn't make much sense. What you will find are Scampi alla Piastra, and Scampi Grilgiati -- a piastra is an iron plate, a griddle, if you will, while grigliati is grilled. In either case the recipe will be very simple, depending upon the quality of the scampi for the flavor: Seasonings tend to be minimal, lemon juice, parsley, and perhaps another leafy, aromatic herb. Garlic, if present, is kept to a minimum, and this sets the Italians apart from most of those who speak English; when I posted the recipe linked to above to the Rec.Foods.Cooking newsgroup years ago, people said that it looked good, but they would increase the garlic. On the other hand, shrimp scampi is a romantic dish...
You get my drift, and on to the recipes:
First, In Italian:
Scampi Grigliati: A simple recipe, copies of which I have found on many Italian sites. The cerfoglio called for is chevril, an herb. No garlic.
Scampi Gligliati: Marjoram, rather than chevril, here, and again no garlic.
And now, in English
The Food Network's Shrimp Scampi closely follows the Italian, with simple seasonings. Quick, too.
All Recipe's Absolutely the Best Shrimp Scampi has quite a bit more in the way of herbs, and adds a splash of brandy.
Ezine Articles has two recipes, one that adds breadcrumbs to the mix, and the other that has enough additions to become a pasta sauce.
The Fanatic Cook notes that the classic shrimp scampi is quite simple, and suggests quite a dew additions one could make.
And finally, Common Errors in English Usage points out that Shrimp Scampi doesn't make much sense.
Like last time, I want to stress that I am not judging the recipes; they all look good to me. Just looking at variations, which are the spice of life.
About's Valentine's Day Recipe Exchange
Linda, our Busy Cooks Guide, suggests you get a head start on Valentine's Day dessert by preparing Chocolate Peanut Butter Bon Bons, a chewy delicious old family recipe; she notes that to save time you can "make the peanut butter mixture one day, and then form the balls and dip them in chocolate the next."
Hector, our Guide to Latin Caribbean Cuisine, suggests a couple of delectable coconut treats for your Valentine's day:
Coconut Kisses, besitos de coco, are a favorite treat in the Spanish speaking islands. They are a great substitute for cookies. And
Coconut Flan, a creamy custard dessert with a tropical twist.
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