Shrimp with Feta

I realize there is a whole segment of the American population that is going to be instantly turned off by the title of this post. Seafood and cheese -- that's just...wrong. But this recipe might just change your mind, as it did for me the first time my friend Melissa made it for us about a decade ago. Melissa, co-author of The New Brooklyn Cookbook, was one of my first kitchen heroes -- one of those friends who would serve me something that I would then pass off as my own to the next dozen dinner guests I cooked it for. (Oh, this? Just something I came across...hmm where was it???) We've served it to bosses and in-laws, neighbors and siblings. And, of course, to our children -- even when it meant cleaning the sauce off a few pieces of shrimp before serving.

Greek-Style Scampi

To make: Preheat oven to 425°F. Saute two minced garlic clove in olive oil in an ovenproof skillet set over medium heat. Add one 28-ounce can of tomatoes (drained, very important), and stir, breaking up tomatoes. Cook for about 10 minutes. Nestle in a pound of shrimp and cook until shrimp starts to turn pink all over, about 3 minutes. Sprinkle two-ish handfuls of feta on top and bake in your preheated oven for about five minutes until cheese is melty. Remove from oven, add chopped parsley and the juice of half a lemon. Add salt and pepper to taste.