Life Without Alu?: Jalapeno Shrimp

People say to me, ‘You love cooking, so you don't mind putting some time in the kitchen’. But hey! Even if you don’t love to cook, you can make and eat really delicious things which wont take much of your time. This recipe is for you guys!

We are painting our kitchen and while it is really exciting, we are not professionals so it is taking longer to finish. Getting any sort of renovation done in the Kitchen is anyway such a huge task. You never realize just how many packets of lentils, pasta and flours you have until you start clearing the pantry. And we have an active two year old who just loves to rearrange everything. Yesterday Prisha found a sugar packet, she shook it so much that it tore open and then there was sugar everywhere. Today she found the salt shakers on the dining table and made some really pretty lines with it. She keeps looking at all the things lying on the dining table and often finds a way to grab something and play with it.

I do get upset by the mess but it’s difficult to be angry with her because she just gives me a big smile and says, ‘Look mamma! So pretty!’. She even grabs the broom/ hand vacuum/ swiffer from me and tries to clean it herself. What can I say, I have been putting the things out of her reach but there are just so many!

By the time everything is sorted out, it’s dinner time and today I thought, how about Shrimp. I have been making simple, quick and easy recipes and Shrimp falls right in that category.

I used a simple seasoning, a mixture of onion powder, garlic powder, olive oil, salt, degi mirch and cumin powder. Degi Mirch is just for adding some color and you can skip it if you want.

Also, the dish is Jalapeno Shrimp so it is a little hot. But if you are not fond of spicy foods, skip the jalapeños as well. Improvisation is easy when you are cooking and in charge. You can decide what to add or subtract.

However, if you are following the recipe as it is, then trust me, this seasoning and jalapeno will make a tasty weeknight dish that can be used in pasta or in a taco. The jalapenos will just make the dish a little hot but not enough to make you cry. Cooking shrimp is easy too. Just two-three minutes on each side is enough to cook it. That is what I love about this dish, how easily it all comes together.

If you love Shrimp and would like to try more recipes, my tip is to get peeled and deveined shrimp. That will save so much of your time. I always keep a bag of frozen shrimp in my freezer so that I can whip up something quick and easy with it whenever I want.

So try this recipe and then share your photos and comments using my hashtag #lifewithoutalu

Ingredients:

Butter - 1-2 tablespoons
Jumbo Shrimp - 15, peeled and deveined
Salt - ½ teaspoon (or to taste)
Onion Powder - ½ teaspoon
Garlic Powder - ½ teaspoon
Olive Oil - 1-2 tablespoons
Degi Mirch - ½ teaspoon
Cumin Powder - ½ teaspoon
Jalapenos - 2, washed and sliced

Tips:

Keep a pack of frozen shrimp for these quick recipes.
Always buy peeled and deveined shrimp to save time.

Recommended Reading: Buying and Preparing Shrimp

Directions:

Wash the Shrimp lightly in tap water. If using frozen, dip in tap water for half an hour.
Pat dry between paper towels to dry them.
Season the Shrimp with all the spices (Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt, Degi Mirch and Cumin Powder) and Olive Oil.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add Butter and as soon as it melts add the Shrimp.
Using a rubber spatula, spread the Shrimp in a single layer. Cook for a minute then add the jalapenos, toss and cook till the Shrimp turns pink and is cooked through but still tender, being careful not to overcook (2-3 minutes on either side).
Transfer to a serving plate and enjoy.
Tip: You can add these delicious shrimp in Tacos with some shredded lettuce, cheese, chopped onion and tomatoes.
Or you can add some cooked pasta in the skillet and mix everything together. Both the results are yummy and delicious.