Monday, April 18, 2016

Citrusy Shrimp with Couscous and Asparagus


The lemon tree in our backyard has just a few lemons remaining. It is a small one but always yields a ton of fruit. Having such a tree at our disposal means having a supply of fresh organic lemons when in season. I recently discovered that the lemon leaves have a place in the food scene as well with teas or when grilling meats. The leaves themselves are not edible but can impart a lemon like flavor, much like kaffir lime leaves.


I decided to combine a few of my favorite ingredients together with two of the lemons for a flavorful bright meal. I love the wonderful zing and brightness that citrus brings to food. Here shrimp and asparagus are drizzled with fresh lemon juice, honey, olive oil and parsley and served on a bed of whole wheat couscous.

Ingredients:

2 cups water
1 cup dried whole wheat couscous
8 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 2 to 3 lemons)(divided)
1 pound raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
1 tablespoon shallot (minced)
1 pound asparagus spears, cleaned and trimmed
1 tablespoon honey
¼ cup parsley (chopped)

To prepare:

Couscous:

Bring 2 cups water to a boil in medium-sized saucepan. Remove from heat, add couscous, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper, stir quickly, cover with lid and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff couscous with fork and 1 tablespoon lemon juice, set aside.

Quick Marinade for Shrimp:

Combine 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, olive oil, shallots, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper. Add shrimp. Let sit for 5 minutes.

Shrimp and Asparagus:

Preheat a grill pan or grill. (I used a grill pan that covered two gas burners).

Toss asparagus lightly in 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add to grill and grill until your desired tenderness. (I like mine crisp-tender) Remove from pan, set aside.

Grill shrimp, turning in 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp.

Citrus sauce:

Whisk together honey, parsley, remaining lemon juice and olive oil.

To plate:

Place a scoop or two of couscous on each plate, add asparagus and shrimp, drizzle with citrus sauce. Enjoy!





Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

50 comments:

  1. This looks like a delicious springtime dish!

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    1. Thanks Amy, we enjoyed this very much, love whole wheat couscous.

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  2. I can't resist such a wonderful zesty yummy meal !

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  3. Wow, Cheri. This looks amazing. I can taste and smell the fresh lemons in this dish. Well done. Lucky you! D

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    1. Thanks Dena, as you can see there is only a few left, but we had a great bounty this year.

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  4. How wonderful that you have your own lemon tree! The citrus sauce in this recipe sounds great, too!

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  5. Shrimp! I like it, so I love this food. It looks delicious ^^

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  6. Oh how I wish I could grow a lemon tree, Cheri...It just isn't warm enough here. I do have a small lemon plant growing in the house for now. We'll see if it flowers and I get little lemons, lol...

    Your meal sounds full of Spring and freshness:)

    Thank you so much for sharing, Cheri...

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    1. Thanks Louise, it is the best tree, sometimes I drink water with lemon slices in it.

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  7. Cheri, this sounds like a delicious, light meal! Honey and lemon are magic together and I will definitely be making this.

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    1. Thanks Marcelle, hope you enjoy this as much as we did.

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  8. I'm determined now, more than ever to plant our own tree. I have read about using lemon leaves in recipes but never tried it 😀

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    1. Lemon trees love the heat so I don't think that you would have a problem, take care Tandy.

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  9. This sounds like such a flavorful, light meal, Cheri! I love the ingredients you've put together. Isn't it nice to have a lemon tree in your own backyard? We really enjoy ours. Thanks for sharing your recipe!

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  10. I know we are kind of spoiled aren't we Shari, take care.

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  11. It's my long-term ambition to own a lemon tree some day! How wonderful that you have one!

    I love every recipe you make, Cheri - your recipes are always up my alley. But this one - well, I would order it from a restaurant menu. Delicious!

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  12. Cherie - I can never get enough citrus! I am still posting lemon recipes, too! This is a wonderfully flavorful and healthy recipe - perfect for a midweek meal!

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    1. Thanks David, we are pretty lucky aren't we....Take care and have a great week.

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  13. Looks like the perfect spring meal to me! Lucky you with the lemon tree :)

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  14. Wow! Cheri, I am loving this gorgeous platter. Such a hearty meal with full of awesome flavors!

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  15. What a great looking dish and I just love, love your lemon tree! What a treat that is. I could sit out and stare at that tree all day! : )

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    1. Thanks Monica, citrus season is just about over, we only have a few left.

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  16. I miss all the citrus we grew when we lived in Florida. Tons of oranges, limes, and Meyer lemons. I envy you! Anyway, shrimp, citrus, and olive oil are such a great combo. This looks spectacular -- thanks so much.

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    1. Thanks John, I have never been to Florida, it's on my list. But I have heard about the citrus groves. Take care.

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  17. Homegrown lemons..how cool is that!! Shrimp and asparagus...both are my favourites.

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  18. 2 of my favourites right here, asparagus and lemons! I love citrus, especially lemons and even though they are a winter fruit, they go so well with springtime. Love this dish, Cheri.

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    1. Thanks Nazneen, me too, when I think of springtime I always think of lemons.

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  19. This dish looks so good - love prawns and asparagus, so together, a match made in heaven.

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  20. Cheri, hail springtime cuisine - your dish looks so delightfully seasonal!
    Andrea

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    1. Thanks Andrea, it's heating up here, today should be in the nineties.

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  21. Lucky you Cheri to have fresh lemons available at hands-reach. Shrimp and asparagus are two items that are accented well with the lovely citrus =)

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    1. Thanks Kim, I do feel pretty lucky, lemons always seem to brighten up a dish.

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  22. I am so jealous that you have a lemon tree. I would love one, especially as we use lemon in so many of our dishes.

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    1. Thanks Dannii, fresh lemons can brighten up any dish.

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  23. i wonder if we could grow lemon trees here in charlotte. that'd be awesome. speaking of awesome, this is a great dish!

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    1. Not sure Grace, I know that they love the sun. Take care.

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  24. I must spend a fortune on lemons every year! You are very lucky to be able to grow them, Cheri, and this dish looks incredibly delicious!

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    1. Thanks Susan, during the summer we pay a pretty penny, sometimes almost a dollar each.

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  25. Well, isn't this just a plate of perfection, Cheri! Shrimp and asparagus are a natural combo and I loving adding lemon or lime to everything in the spring and summer. Your photos are awesome and I'm SO jealous of your lemon tree! Hope your week has been fabulous :)

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    1. Thanks Robyn, I thought this recipe might get your attention, take care!

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