Description
Mediterranean-inspired shrimp and lemon-basil pearl couscous delight brings coastal flavors to your dinner table. Zesty herbs, succulent shrimp, and pearl couscous combine for a refreshing meal you’ll savor with Mediterranean charm.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lb (907 g) jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 cups pearl couscous
- 20 basil leaves
- 4 oz (113 g) baby spinach, roughly chopped
- 1 lemon, juiced and zested
- 1 leek, trimmed and scrubbed
- 1 shallot, peeled and diced
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
- ⅔ cup (160 ml) finely grated Parmesan cheese
- 6 tbsps (90 ml) olive oil
- 6 cups (1.4 L) water
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Crushed red pepper, to taste
- Shrimp shells (reserved)
Instructions
- Preparation: Marinate shrimp with olive oil and lemon zest, seasoning thoroughly with salt and pepper. Refrigerate while preparing other components.
- Stock Creation: Sauté shrimp shells and leek greens in olive oil. Add water, season, and simmer until reduced to approximately 3 cups. Strain meticulously, discarding solids.
- Ingredient Preparation: Chop vegetables and herbs precisely.
- Couscous Cooking: In a pan, sauté leek whites and shallots in olive oil. Add garlic and couscous, toasting briefly. Pour strained shrimp stock and simmer until grains become tender and liquid absorbs completely.
- Shrimp Searing: Heat olive oil in a skillet and quickly sear marinated shrimp until opaque with a golden exterior. Remove immediately to prevent overcooking.
- Final Assembly: Fold spinach, chopped basil, and lemon juice into couscous, allowing spinach to wilt gently. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Garnish and Plating: Create a vibrant garnish by combining sliced basil leaves, lemon zest, black pepper, and Parmesan cheese. Spread couscous as a base, arrange seared shrimp on top, and generously sprinkle the prepared garnish for a sophisticated finish.
Notes
- Marinate Strategically: Let shrimp rest in refrigerator for 15-20 minutes to enhance flavor absorption and tenderize meat, ensuring maximum taste infusion.
- Stock Secret: Homemade shrimp stock intensifies overall dish complexity, providing deeper seafood essence compared to store-bought alternatives.
- Prevent Overcooking: Sear shrimp quickly over high heat, watching carefully as they turn opaque and golden to maintain tender, juicy texture without becoming rubbery.
- Herb Freshness Matters: Use fresh basil and zest right before serving to preserve vibrant aromatics and maximize flavor profile, preventing wilting and flavor degradation.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 485
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 54 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 180 mg