Italian Surf and Turf with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

16 peeled and deveined large raw shrimp (about 8-10 ounces)

6 ounces hot or sweet Italian turkey sausage meat (about 2 links)

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

2 cloves garlic, minced, divided

1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano

Kosher salt and ground black pepper

1 cup roasted red peppers, drained and patted dry

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a rimmed baking sheet with kitchen parchment.

Arrange the shrimp on the prepared baking sheet with all of the shrimp facing the same direction to form a series of C’s. Remove the casings from the sausage, place a small mound of the sausage in the center of each shrimp and press down so that the shrimp and sausage filling make a solid round.

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of the olive oil with half the garlic and all of the oregano. Sprinkle the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper, then brush the oil mixture over the shrimp and sausage. Bake the stuffed shrimp until they are cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a blender combine the red peppers, the remaining tablespoon of oil, the remaining garlic, the vinegar, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth. Transfer to a small saucepan and heat just until hot.

To serve: Arrange the shrimp on a serving platter, then drizzle each with some of the sauce.

Serves eight to 16.

Nutrition values per shrimp: 170 calories, 5 g fat (0 saturated), 7 g carbohydrates, 1 g fiber, 4 g sugar, 22 g protein, 130 mg cholesterol, 710 mg sodium.

Sara Moulton for The Associated Press