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Shrimp Wrapped in Italian Pancetta

Discover how to prepare delicious Pancetta-Wrapped Shrimp, a tasty and quick appetizer perfect for special dinners and cocktail parties, especially during the Christmas season.
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Shrimp Wrapped in Italian Pancetta
  • Difficulty Easy
  • Prep 5 minutes
  • Cook 15 minutes
  • Servings Serves 4

The Pancetta-Wrapped Shrimp represents a perfect balance between simplicity and sophistication, making this dish an ideal choice for those who want to impress their guests without too much effort: with just a few high-quality ingredients, you can create an appetizer or finger food that encompasses intense and contrasting flavors. The Shrimp and Pancetta Recipe combines the sweetness and delicacy of large shrimp with the crispy saltiness of pancetta, creating an irresistible combination for the palate.

As mentioned, the secret to this dish’s success lies entirely in the quality of ingredients: it’s essential to use fresh, large shrimp with firm and juicy meat, and high-quality pancetta (Italian-style cured pork belly – if unavailable, you can substitute with thinly sliced bacon, though the flavor will be slightly different) to add an aromatic touch that enhances the seafood’s flavor. The pancetta, with its enveloping texture and rich flavor, slightly melts during cooking, seasoning the shrimp and keeping them incredibly tender and succulent.

The Pancetta-Wrapped Shrimp are suitable for various occasions, from casual appetizers with friends to festive lunches or dinners, where attention to detail and the goodness of ingredients make every bite unique: try them as an appetizer for your Christmas menu, success is guaranteed.

Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. To prepare the Baked Shrimp, start by cleaning the prawns: remove the head, tail, shell and devein them by removing the intestinal tract.

    Bacon Wrapped King Prawns Recipe 1
    Grilled Bacon Wrapped Shrimp 2
  2. Wrap a slice of pancetta (Italian-style bacon) around each prawn, then place it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Repeat for all prawns.

    Bacon Wrapped Prawns 3
  3. Bake in a preheated oven: conventional at 180°C (356°F) for 15 minutes or fan-assisted at 160-170°C (320-338°F) for 15 minutes. Before serving, we recommend drizzling your prawns with a touch of honey to add a delightful sweet contrast!

    Shrimp Wrapped In Pancetta

Alternatives

You can also prepare these bacon-wrapped prawns on skewers for an alternative presentation.

Tips

Make sure to choose large prawns or jumbo shrimp for the best results. The bacon-wrapped prawns should be served immediately while hot from the oven. You can prepare them in advance on the baking tray and keep them in the refrigerator (covered with plastic wrap), then bake them just before serving.

Storage

The bacon-wrapped prawns should be consumed immediately after cooking.