se this dish uses all of the lemon, it may, on first bite, taste a bit bitter. Still, the mix of flavors—the sweet shrimp, creamy beans, and briny olives—conspires to make you keep eating it. A charred lemon half adds visual appeal and can be used for an extra squeeze of juice. Serve with crusty bread on the side.
Serves 4
2 small lemons, thinly sliced and seeds
removed; plus charred lemon halves for serving, if you like
3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil; more as needed Kosher salt
2 medium cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 15-oz. cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
(or about 3 cups cooked navy beans)
¼ cup pitted mild green olives, such as
castelvetrano, coarsely chopped
3 Tbs. finely chopped fresh basil; more for garnish, if you like
2 Tbs. finely chopped fresh cilantro; more for garnish, if you like
1 lb. extra-colossal shrimp (less than 10 per
lb.), peeled and cut in half lengthwise
¼ cup dry white wine
Position a rack in the center of the oven and
heat to 375°F. On a large rimmed baking
sheet, toss the lemons with 1 Tbs. oil and
¼ tsp. salt. Spread in a single layer and roast
until very tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove
from the oven and let cool. Finely chop the lemons and set aside.
Put the garlic and 1 Tbs. oil in a large skillet
and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until aromatic, about 30 seconds.
Add the beans and ½ tsp. salt. Cook, tossing
occasionally, until heated through. Transfer to
a large bowl. Add the olives, basil, and cilantro,
and toss gently.
Wipe out the skillet (no need to wash it), and heat the remaining 1 Tbs. of the oil over high heat. Cook the shrimp in batches,
seasoning with a little salt and pepper and flipping once, until just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the beans. Return the pan to medium-high heat, add the wine, and cook, scraping up any browned bits, until the pan is almost dry. Add the lemons and ¼ cup water, and cook until reduced by half. Drizzle the pan sauce and any bits of lemon over the shrimp and beans, and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve warm, topped with more herbs and a drizzle of olive oil, if you like.
