Home Cook Together. Celebrate Life.

GreekAuthentic Cuisine

Garides Saganaki

Serves 4 to 6 Appetizer seafood, Appetizers

Garides Saganaki

Garides Saganaki, a coastal classic, finds its roots in the bustling tavernas that line the Greek shoreline. Here, cooks embrace the generosity of the sea and the land, where olive oil flows freely, salt is measured by intuition, and lemons are always within reach. This version captures the essence of a Greek family kitchen, translating the vibrant energy of the taverna to the home table.

A bite of Garides Saganaki is a harmonious blend of briny shrimp, sweet tomatoes, and creamy feta, all nestled in a bed of rich olive oil. The dish is punctuated by the warmth of oregano and the bite of black pepper, creating a delightful contrast with the fresh, tangy finish of lemon. Enjoy it with crusty bread to savor every drop of the flavorful sauce.

Ingredients

  • 500 gshrimp — peeled
  • 400 gtomatoes — grated
  • 100 gfeta — crumbled
  • 1onion — chopped
  • 80 mlolive oil
  • to finishoregano
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Start by preparing your ingredients. Peel and devein the 500 g shrimp, leaving the tails on for flavor. Dice the 400 g tomatoes into small pieces, crumble the 100 g feta, and finely chop the 1 onion. Set everything aside within easy reach.
  2. In a large skillet, heat 80 ml of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until it becomes translucent and fragrant, stirring occasionally. This should take about 3-4 minutes, and the onions should be soft but not browned.
  3. Add the diced tomatoes to the skillet and stir to combine with the onions. Cook until the tomatoes break down and create a thick sauce, which should take about 10 minutes. The sauce should be slightly chunky and aromatic, with the oil beginning to separate from the tomatoes.
  4. Season the tomato sauce with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir in a pinch of oregano to build depth of flavor. Let the sauce simmer gently for another 2 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
  5. Gently nestle the shrimp into the tomato sauce in a single layer. Cook for about 3-4 minutes, turning once, until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. They should be tender and juicy, not rubbery.
  6. Sprinkle the crumbled feta evenly over the shrimp and sauce. Allow the cheese to melt slightly, which should take about 2 minutes. The feta should soften and integrate into the sauce without completely losing its shape.
  7. Finish the dish with a final sprinkle of oregano and a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavors. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve immediately, ensuring each plate has a generous portion of shrimp and sauce.
Cover of Authentic Greek Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Greek Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Greek Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Greek volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Buy the cookbook on Amazon Explore Greek cuisine