Pesto Shrimp on Polenta Portobellos

One thing I love about a shrimp dinner is it is fast and easy clean up.  Two things that make me and my husband (clean up duty) very happy.  This what we needed last night.  So I veered off the menu plan and started grabbing things out of the refrigerator, pantry and out to my herb garden (which I know is organic).  Here is what I came up with for our gluten free and dairy free meal.  Oh, and by the way, this week’s Secret Ingredient for Friday Foodie Fix just so happens to be Shrimp!

Pesto Shrimp on Polenta Portobellos ©Diane Ebiln

Pesto Shrimp on Polenta Portobellos ©Diane Eblin

I started by gathering some herbs from my young plants.  The only thing I have an abundance of right now is arugula.  This would be the base for the pesto.  However, arugula has a strong bite so I would need to balance this.  I started off really good with measuring but as I was adjusting to taste I have no idea the exact measurements.  You will need to do the same.  Adjust this to what you like or have on hand.

To serve I made a stack starting with the portobello mushroom, a tablespoon of pesto, big serving of creamy polenta and the topped with the shrimp and pesto sauce on top.  Another option would be to cook the shrimp in the pesto sauce.  Then I tossed a few pine nuts on top for that added crunch.  This dish had a great mouth feel with taste and texture.

Polenta cooked to package directions.  I added about 1 cup of almond milk in addition to make it creamy.

Grilled Portobello mushrooms- 1 per person (I did mine in the fry pan)

Saute Shrimp with shallots in virgin coconut and olive oils

Pesto:
Handful of arugula and basil
1 stem Mexican oregano
few sprigs of Italian parsley
1 cup toasted pine nuts
1 clove garlic
2 jalapeno peppers
1/2 lemon juiced
2 TB Balsamic Vinegar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Add everything into your food processor and blend.  Then drizzle in the olive oil until the consistency goes from a paste to more fluid.  You need to taste and adjust.  If the bite is too harsh add more basil and pine nuts.  If you want it a little more spicy add in more jalapenos.

Have fun with this recipe.  Play with the ingredients and make sure you taste as you go.  For more gluten free dinner ideas check out What’s For Dinner Wednesday!

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