We just celebrated my son’s birthday. As I’ve been doing since my sons were celebrating their first trips around the sun, I prepared the dinner that he requested. Birthdays have always been kind of a big deal in our family. When the boys were growing up, there was the “friends party” and the family dinner. We lived in a family dense complex in California and friends were as close as walking out the front door. 
The common courtyard was always alive with kids having fun. 
Even adults got into the act. (No apologies,..it was the 80’s)
I was (in)famous for my themed parties that always featured the appropriately themed cake. 
From dinosaurs to super heroes 
I did it all…and Ninja Turtles twice. 
Whatever the boys were into, I was right there with a sheet cake. It’s amazing what you can do with a cake mix, food coloring, and decorating icing tubes.
Once the “friend party” was over, there was the family dinner. As soon as they were old enough to make the request, I prepared whatever meal they wanted. Yes, there were times that we had pizza or macaroni and cheese. Then there was the time we had Big Macs. I’m sure grandma was glad she flew over 2000 miles for that taste treat. The boys grew up and their palates expanded. Artichokes, crab, and Fettuccine Alfredo took over the menu. Now that they are grown up, their choices have grown up with them, more or less… Fried chicken three years running may be an exception to that, but I aim to please.
Now, back to the Shrimp Scampi, (another three-year running request) I usually make scampi in the traditional manner; on the stove with butter, olive oil, garlic ,and lemon. I lovingly place it on a bed of al dente linguine and dust it with Romano cheese. This year something got into me. Most likely it was the fact that this dinner also needed to include barbecued ribs and there seemed to be no natural bridge. Being Mama D, I was of course able to come up with a solution. The shrimp would become the appetizer.
All the flavors that went into scampi would become a marinade. So, lemon juice (and zest) joined lots of garlic, a little red pepper and vermouth.
After several hours the shrimp were extremely happy. They glistened with olive oil and their sweet scent of the sea mingled with the garlic.
I tossed them in our trusty grill basket where they cooked quickly aided by lots of tossing and moving about on the grill. 
When they were cooked to perfection; plump and pink and slightly translucent with a good bit of spring in their step, They were plated to the happiness of all present.
We repeated this three times, cleaning the plate every time. The shrimp were tender and juicy and the flavor was amazing. There is something about the combination of sweet seafood and the smokey grill that are just magical. I think this may be the new standard for shrimp scampi, and no one seemed to miss the linguine.
I did make these again, because you really can’t have too much of a good thing. I paired it with an artichoke and tomato panzanella salad for a dinner that was quite wonderful. So this is the appetizer that can easily become a meal. However you want to enjoy it, you’ll find that it is easy to prepare. As long as you have a few hours to spare for the marinating, it’s quick, too.
Birthdays are a once a year event, but meals cooked with love should happen every day.
Love, Mama D
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Yummmmmm!
Thanks, Taryn
Hey, Mama D. I LOVE shrimp scampi! My Mother makes it for almost every get-together that involves the grill, and so far – despite my love of cooking – I haven’t made it, myself. Very honestly, I don’t think I can match my Mother’s cooking.
I will say, though (and no offense to the parents) that Mother leans a bit too heavily on oodles of garlic & butter. It tastes delicious of course, but in the spirit of “healthy cooking,” I appreciate how you’ve prepared scampi “in stages” – to build flavor without the greasy butter. And I must say, your scampi LOOKS great – big, full, bursting shrimp that speak (and taste) for themselves.
Mama D, I grew up with my Mother’s cooking secrets…but I love mixing them with your own professional cooking techniques, and I can’t wait to try scampi on my own (brand new) grill. I’ll post the result when finished. And I hope you appreciate when the student outdoes the teacher!
Glad to be your inspiration…shrimp on the grill is quite freeing. Can’t wait to hear about your shrimp adventure.
thanks for sharing…
Awww…GREAT photos and such wonderful memories. We’ve always done the same with out children and I remember one year my daughter was obsessed with mashed potatoes, so instead of cake, I think we just served her a big bowl of mashed potatoes with a candle in it!
Anyway, the scampi looks divine AND I just bought a new grill pan that will be perfect for this.
I think one of my grown sons woud be happy with candle lit mashed potatoes, now… thanks for commenting, Ann.