Yes, we LOVE seafood. Anytime, anywhere. It's fast and always tasty!
There are those days when even the greatest plan fails. This is one of my fall back recipes when my best laid plans go awry. I always keep a bag of frozen shrimp on hand for just these occasions. Shrimp seems to be one of those foods that lifts my family's spirits and reminds us of the good times; times like a nice warm summer night spent grilling with family and friends.
So here I am tonight and I have unexpected company come by around dinner time. What is a good hostess to do...ask them to leave? No way! Knowing that I do not have enough to feed three extra hungry mouths (we had planned leftovers for tonight), I pull out my 'fallback' plan. I grab the bag of frozen shrimp and start running them under the cold water for 10 minutes. When they are thawed to my satisfaction, I dried them off quickly with a paper towel (If they need peeling, I peel them quickly). Place them in a gallon size baggie, add some dressing and spices and marinate for 5 minutes in the fridge. Then you are ready to grill. When company comes, I try to hold back on the hot spices so I will not upset anyone's taste buds. Add some pasta to the mix (pasta can feed a herd when needed), and a garden salad. Now I have a homemade dinner that is quick and tasty.
Grilled Shrimp
2 lb raw and peeled shrimp
1 tsp lemon juice
1/4 tsp garlic powder
red pepper flakes (to taste)
8 oz Italian salad dressing
In a gallon size closeable baggie, add the shrimp, lemon juice, garlic powder, and dressing. Add the red pepper flakes if you want a kick to your shrimp. We use about a 1/2 tsp of them...we like it kickin'. Seal and place in the fridge for 5 minutes.
Heat the grill while the shrimp marinate.
When the shrimp have marinated for 5 mintues (don't marinate any longer or the shrimp texture starts to break down), place shrimp on metal skewers. Don't overcrowd them...only 8 or so on a skewer.
Grill on a medium-high grill, cook for 2-3 minutes per side. When they are pink and done, take off the grill.
*We put the grilled shrimp over fun shapes of pasta that we have dressed with butter, olive oil, and of course...garlic.
Quick, easy, and TASTY!
*For an extra little kick, add some bacon bits to the dressed pasta. Yum!
I really like shrimp and that looks really good. I might have to try that.
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have a grill wok, check them out. They are at Lowe's and probably Wal Mart. They are metal and have holes (so not like a stove wok). You can pour the shrimp in and fresh summer vegetables too.
ReplyDeleteThe same skewer recipes work in the wok, but you save a lot of time and you stir a couple of times and it's easy to get them grilled evenly (which I find can be hard with grill skewers).
I'm thinking the woks run $15 or under. It saves so much time that I use mine about once per week, so it's been a great investment.
I'm a single Mom with sons as well and a super busy schedule, so I sure feel you on that.