Ready for your newest favorite weeknight dinner?
I am constantly changing my “favorites,” when it comes to recipes. I land upon a recipe I like and serve it over and over and over again until it is temporarily ruined and I have to search for a new favorite. It kind of drives Mr. Pedantic crazy, the way that I wear things out with such vigor and abandon, but eventually, I come back around and recirculate the “old” favorites.
Tell me you understand.
This is the kind of recipe I get obsessed with. It is so easy, refreshing, healthful, and delicious that you cannot help but crave it every day once you give it a try.
It comes together in less than an hour, which I love for days when work has been long and energy low.
It also utilizes one of my favorite things on earth right now - blood oranges. HOW can fruit be so pretty?!?
Grab yourself some quality shrimp. Go to a butcher counter you trust and buy the best. This meal really has very few ingredients, so let’s make them count!
Blood orange juice and zest, soy sauce, garlic, honey, sesame oil and red pepper flakes form the marinade that will be the star of this show. I cannot rave enough about this combination of flavors. It is bright, sweet, savory, and just a little spicy - it’s perfect!
While the shrimp get cozy in our newly-made marinade, we turn our attention to the rice. Cook up some rice and sprinkle with sesame oil and sesame seeds. I really do not know why this combination is so good, but it really transforms rice into something special.
I use the rice as a base in these lettuce wraps to make them a little heartier. While I LOVE a good lettuce wrap, it can be hard to make them a full meal, but the rice helps them to become a little more substantial and adds another layer of texture.
Once the shrimp have had time to soak in all the wonderful flavors, we give them a quick pan fry.
Now, it is time to build!
You could serve this buffet style or build them yourself - either way it’s super easy!
While it may look odd to have a slice of orange juxtapose your shrimp, trust me on this one. The bright acidity and the savory, soy-soaked shrimp is an edible dream.
Yep, I have a new favorite.
Sincerely,
Pedantic Foodie
BLOOD ORANGE & SESAME MARINATED SHRIMP LETTUCE WRAPS
MAKES EIGHT / SERVES 2-4
FOR THE SHRIMP
1 lb wild caught shrimp, peeled and deveined
1/3 cup blood orange juice
1/3 cup soy sauce
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 tablespoon orange zest
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
In a small saucepan, combine orange juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, orange zest, red pepper flakes, minced garlic, and honey. Set over medium high heat and stir until the mixture comes to a simmer. Simmer for 1 minute, then remove from heat. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes; until just warm.
Place shrimp in a small bowl and cover with cooled marinade. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
While the shrimp marinate, prepare the rice.
After the shrimp have finished marinating, place a large, nonstick frying pan over medium high heat and pour in vegetable oil. When the oil is shimmering, use tongs to place the shrimp into the pan. Cook for 5-6 minutes, turning the shrimp over halfway through, until the flesh is pink.
Remove the pan from the heat immediately and prepare the wraps.
FOR THE STICKY SESAME RICE
1 cup jasmine rice
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 teaspoons sesame seeds
Cook rice according to package instructions.
Allow the rice to cool until warm, but not hot.
Fluff the cooked rice with a fork, mixing in sesame oil and seeds. Set aside.
LETTUCE WRAPS & ASSEMBLY
8 leaves iceberg lettuce
2 blood oranges, peel and pith removed and sliced into supremes
1/4 cup finely diced green onions
Place a heavy spoonful of rice and several orange supremes into each lettuce cup and top with shrimp and a small drizzle of the cooking liquid.
Sprinkle the shrimp with green onions and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
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