Instead of buffalo wings, I love buffalo shrimp at times. The shrimp is great because it’s nice and meaty, yet you don’t have to worry about tenderizing it. Plus this dish is lean, but will still satisfy that craving for hot sauce that makes us want buffalo wings in the first place. Buy easy-peel or peeled shrimp to save time and have the kids help with the peeling, if possible.

　　

Ingredients

makes 4 servings

　　1 pound large (21–25 count or 26–30 count) shrimp, peeled (tail-on, if desired) and deveined

　　1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

　　1/4 teaspoon cayenne

　　1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

　　Pinch sea salt

　　Olive oil spray

　　2 tablespoons light butter

　　1 tablespoon hot sauce (an all-natural one like Wing Time, not a thin one like Tabasco), plus more if desired

　　

Step 1

Rinse the shrimp, and then pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.

　　

Step 2

To a large resealable plastic bag add the flour, cayenne, garlic, and salt. Toss to combine. Add the shrimp and toss thoroughly to coat them evenly.

　　

Step 3

Place a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, lightly mist the pan with spray and add the shrimp in a single layer, working in batches, if necessary. Cook them until they are lightly browned on the outsides and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove the cooked shrimp to a plate or bowl.

　　

Step 4

When all of the shrimp are cooked, turn off the burner. Add the butter and hot sauce to the skillet and, using a wooden spoon, stir constantly until the butter is just melted, being careful not to overcook it. Return the shrimp to the pan. Toss to coat them completely with the sauce. Season with additional hot sauce, if desired. Let the shrimp sit for 5 minutes, and then toss them again (the sauce will thicken slightly and stick better after sitting). Serve immediately.

　　

nutrition information

Step 5

Each (5 to 7 shrimp) serving has:

　　

Step 6

Calories: 159

　　

Step 7

Protein: 23g

　　

Step 8

Carbohydrates: 3g

　　

Step 9

Fat: 6g

　　

Step 10

Saturated Fat: 2g

　　

Step 11

Cholesterol: 180g

　　

Step 12

Trace Fiber

　　

Step 13

Sodium: 245mg

　　Reprinted with permission from I Can't Believe It's Not Fattening! by Devin Alexander. Copyright © 2010 Devin Alexander. Published by Clarkson Potter Publishers, a division of Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.Devin Alexander is the author of The Most Decadent Diet Ever, Fast Food Fix, and coauthor of The New York Times bestsellers The Biggest Loser Cookbook and The Biggest Loser Family Cookbook. She was a chef on NBC's The Biggest Loser and the host of Healthy Decadence on Discover Health and FitTV.