Spicy Seared Shrimp
- Cuisine: Indian
- Course: Main Course
- Features: Gluten-Free, Fast, Healthy, Kid-Friendly
Summary:
Shrimpaholics, this one's for you, with lots of flavor from just a few ingredients. The recipe's prep time is cut in half if you buy tail-on shrimp that are already deveined. The "minute marinade" becomes a dipping sauce. Oakland cooking teacher Ruta Kahate devised the recipe when she hosted a five-minute cooking segment for a local television station in California several years ago.
To grill the shrimp (as shown above), use wooden skewers that have been soaked in water for 30 minutes. Skewer the shrimp, draining and reserving the marinade, and grill them over high heat until just cooked through. Baste with the marinade occasionally. Serve with crusty bread and a salad.
4 servings
Ingredients:
- 3 to 4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (from 1 lemon)
- 3 to 4 medium cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped cilantro leaves
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 pounds large shell-on shrimp
Directions:
In a nonplastic (nonstaining) bowl, combine the lemon juice, garlic, 2 tablespoons of the oil, cilantro, cayenne pepper to taste, turmeric and salt. (Some frozen shrimp are salted, so remember to take that into account.) Stir well and taste; the marinade should be tangy and spicy.
Rinse and shell the shrimp, leaving the tails on, then devein them. Add them to the marinade as you work, and toss to coat evenly.
Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Add the shrimp and marinade. Stir or toss the shrimp several times, then cover the skillet to keep the marinade from evaporating. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the shrimp are just opaque. Transfer to a platter, pouring any remaining juices over. Serve hot or at room temperature.
Recipe Source:
Adapted from Kahate's just-published "5 Spices, 50 Dishes: Simple Indian Recipes Using Five Common Spices" (Chronicle, 2007).
E-mail the Food Section with recipe questions.
(Susie Cushner)
