Grilled Shrimp with Garlic Quinoa and Steamed Asparagus

Ingredients

• Shrimp 6 oz
• Quinoa 3/4 cup cooked
• Asparagus 1 cup
• Garlic 1 clove
• Olive oil 1 tbsp
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• Lemon wedge 1 optional

Method

1. Prepare the shrimp. Rinse the 6 oz of shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Place them in a bowl and drizzle with half the olive oil (about 1/2 tbsp). Add a pinch of salt and black pepper. Toss gently to coat evenly. Set aside to marinate while you prepare other ingredients.
   Tip: Dry shrimp helps them grill better and get a nice sear.
2. Cook the garlic quinoa. Heat the remaining 1/2 tbsp olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned. Add the 3/4 cup cooked quinoa to the pan, stirring well to combine and warm through, about 3-4 minutes. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
   Tip: Sautéing garlic first infuses the quinoa with rich flavor.
3. Steam the asparagus. While cooking quinoa, rinse and trim the asparagus by snapping off the woody ends. Place the asparagus in a steamer basket over boiling water, cover, and steam for about 4-5 minutes until tender but still crisp. Remove from heat and season lightly with salt.
   Tip: Do not overcook asparagus to keep its bright green color and crunch.
4. Grill the shrimp. Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Place the marinated shrimp on the grill in a single layer. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking to keep shrimp juicy.
   Tip: Use tongs to flip shrimp gently to prevent them from falling apart.
5. Plate and serve. Divide the garlic quinoa evenly between two plates. Arrange the steamed asparagus alongside. Top each plate with the grilled shrimp. Optionally, squeeze a lemon wedge over the shrimp for a fresh burst of flavor. Serve immediately.
   Tip: Serve warm for best taste and texture.

Pro tips

• To prevent shrimp from sticking to the grill, make sure the grill is well-oiled and preheated.
• If you don’t have a steamer basket, you can steam asparagus in a microwave-safe dish with a little water covered with plastic wrap.