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 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!
That looks delicious!
I must say, every week I see something new here. Something I might not have thought of trying before. I've never made polenta or pesto of any variety might have to give this a go as well.
Sounds like a great combination of foods. I love pesto!
OOh, I want to make Pesto! I have not had shrimp in a while (iffy while pregnant) and that sounds absolutely delicious!
Jessie
OOh, I want to make Pesto! I have not had shrimp in a while (iffy while pregnant) and that sounds absolutely delicious!
Jessie
That looks delicious!
I must say, every week I see something new here. Something I might not have thought of trying before. I’ve never made polenta or pesto of any variety might have to give this a go as well.
My favorite way to cook-what's on hand and intuition. Except the clean-up is never easy with me. You should have seen the kitchen after the crepes. I love your combo of polenta, pesto, and portobellos.
My favorite way to cook-what’s on hand and intuition. Except the clean-up is never easy with me. You should have seen the kitchen after the crepes. I love your combo of polenta, pesto, and portobellos.
Sounds like a great combination of foods. I love pesto!
Love the picture: all the colors seem to show off the different tastes and textures you described. Sounds and looks great.
Love the picture: all the colors seem to show off the different tastes and textures you described. Sounds and looks great.
That looks great!
That looks great!
This looks delicious! I don't think I've tried pesto shrimp before. Thanks for the idea.
This looks delicious! I don’t think I’ve tried pesto shrimp before. Thanks for the idea.
Err, shrimp isn't really iffy while pregnant- it's low in mercury, which is the main problem with some fishes. And, as long as it isn't raw, there shouldn't be a problem. Every pregnancy book and midwife/doctor I've read or heard from says it is fine. I have to admit I made this with tempeh instead of shrimp to make it more suitable for my vegetarian blog (I've adopted Diane for my adopt-a-gluten-free blogger event at the Book of Yum), but either way, it is delicious!
-Sea
Err, shrimp isn’t really iffy while pregnant- it’s low in mercury, which is the main problem with some fishes. And, as long as it isn’t raw, there shouldn’t be a problem. Every pregnancy book and midwife/doctor I’ve read or heard from says it is fine. I have to admit I made this with tempeh instead of shrimp to make it more suitable for my vegetarian blog (I’ve adopted Diane for my adopt-a-gluten-free blogger event at the Book of Yum), but either way, it is delicious!
-Sea
Jessie- let me know what you put into your pesto. So versatile.
Alisa- Thank you.
Rachel- Thank you for the compliment. I hope you will try some of the recipes and then let me know how it worked for you. I love feedback.
Wendy- Usually my kitchen is a mess. My poor husband cleans up and asks if there was anything I didn't use or space of counter top I didn't dirty. He's a good man.
Linda- I love pesto too. I miss the cheese sometimes but the more I make it with different ingredients the less I even notice it's not in there.
Heather-Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Dianne- Thank you!
Brian- Let me know if you do try it. I'll look for it on your blog.
Sea- Thank you. I'm honored that you adopted me. Can't wait to see what you make. I think changing out the shrimp for Tempeh is a great idea. I'll pass that along to my oldest son who is a vegetarian. Love your blog!
Jessie- let me know what you put into your pesto. So versatile.
Alisa- Thank you.
Rachel- Thank you for the compliment. I hope you will try some of the recipes and then let me know how it worked for you. I love feedback.
Wendy- Usually my kitchen is a mess. My poor husband cleans up and asks if there was anything I didn’t use or space of counter top I didn’t dirty. He’s a good man.
Linda- I love pesto too. I miss the cheese sometimes but the more I make it with different ingredients the less I even notice it’s not in there.
Heather-Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Dianne- Thank you!
Brian- Let me know if you do try it. I’ll look for it on your blog.
Sea- Thank you. I’m honored that you adopted me. Can’t wait to see what you make. I think changing out the shrimp for Tempeh is a great idea. I’ll pass that along to my oldest son who is a vegetarian. Love your blog!
Shrimp are so awesome for dinner because they hardly take any time to cook at all. I love that you still get meat but it's so easy… and shrimp salad is number one on our quick dinner lists! Your pictures look YUMMY!
-Sylvia
Gem Scales
Sylvia- Thank you!
Shrimp are so awesome for dinner because they hardly take any time to cook at all. I love that you still get meat but it's so easy… and shrimp salad is number one on our quick dinner lists! Your pictures look YUMMY!
-Sylvia
Gem Scales
Sylvia- Thank you!