Fasting periods are a time for reflection, prayer, and aligning our bodies with our spiritual journey. While the goal of fasting is not to feast, it's equally important to nourish our bodies with foods that sustain and energize us. Today, I'm excited to share a recipe that does just that, offering a delicious, protein-rich option for those observing Orthodox fasting periods.
🥘 Why You Will Love This Recipe
This recipe comes from a place of love and understanding of the fasting traditions in the Orthodox Christian faith. It acknowledges the need for a diet that provides not just spiritual sustenance but also physical nourishment. Rich in proteins, vitamins, and minerals, these grilled tiger shrimp skewers are a testament to the fact that fasting food doesn't have to be bland or monotonous. It's quick, easy, and sure to please even the pickiest eaters in your family, making it a perfect meal for those fasting days when you still want to feel indulged. It's a celebration of simple ingredients coming together to create a dish that's full of flavor and nutrients, ensuring that your fasting journey is both fulfilling and delicious.
🛒 Ingredients
1 - Key Ingredients
For the Skewers
1 pound of jumbo fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined for that ultimate succulence.
For the Marinade
- 4 cloves garlic, minced, to infuse a garlicky punch.
- ⅓ cup avocado oil, because what's a marinade without this liquid gold?
- 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped, for that fresh herbaceous lift.
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped, to layer in more green goodness.
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice, a squeeze for zest and zing.
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste, for a hint of richness.
- ½ teaspoon salt, to bring all the flavors to life.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, for that essential spicy kick.
For the Garlic Vegan Butter
- 1 clove garlic, minced, because garlic shrimp is a love language.
- ¼ cup vegan butter, melted, for that velvety finish.
- 1 teaspoon parsley, chopped, to sprinkle in more freshness.
- Lemon wedges, for serving (optional), because a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice elevates everything.
2 - Variations
While shrimp are permissible in many fasting guidelines, you can easily substitute or add other fasting-approved items to this dish. Consider adding chunks of bell peppers or onions between the shrimp on the skewers for an extra burst of flavor and nutrition. For those strictly observing fasting rules, replacing butter with a vegan alternative in the garlic sauce offers a similar richness without compromising your fasting principles.
📝 Instructions
1 - Step by Step Instructions
Marinating Mastery: In a large bowl, whisk together all your marinade ingredients. Let your shrimp dive into this quick marinade pool, ensuring they're well-coated and merry. Allow them to soak in all those flavors for at least 20 minutes. If you're after a deeper flavor meld, feel free to let them chill in this flavorful spa for up to 3 hours.
Grill Prep: Fire up your grill to a medium-high heat, aiming for that perfect sizzle zone. Whether it's on a gas grill or over charcoal, getting your grill hot is key to those enviable grill marks and a smoky flavor.
Making The Vegan Garlic Butter: In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Set it aside.
Skewer Time: Thread your marinated shrimp onto skewers. Whether you're team bamboo skewers, wooden skewers, or metal skewers, just remember to soak your non-metal options in cold water for about 30 minutes to avoid a fiery fate.
The Grilling: Place your shrimp skewers over the hot grill grates. Let them cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. You're aiming for that opaque pink perfection – a visual cue that your shrimp are just right. Remember, cooking shrimp is a delicate art; they transform from succulent to rubbery if left too long on the heat.
Finishing Touches: Once grilled to perfection, transfer your shrimp skewers to a serving platter. Drizzle them with the luxurious garlic butter and, if your heart desires, a final squeeze of lemon juice for that citrus spark.
Serve and Savor: Present these beauties with your favorite side, maybe some crusty bread to mop up that glorious garlic butter, and dive in. The result? Juicy shrimp skewers that promise a burst of flavor with every bite.
2 - Cooking Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Pre-soaking skewers prevents them from burning on the grill.
- Serve these skewers with crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic butter.
- Complement with a side of grilled vegetables for a complete meal.
🧊 Storage Instructions
Making A Batch For Later
Prepare the marinade and shrimp in larger quantities, skewer them, and then freeze. Lay them flat in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. This method allows you to enjoy a quick and delicious meal anytime during the fasting period.
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover cooked shrimp skewers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Use an airtight container to maintain freshness. For longer storage, freeze them for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat?
Reheat thawed shrimp skewers in the oven at 350°F for about 5-10 minutes, until heated through. Cover with foil to prevent drying.
🍽 Side Dishes
Pair these divine shrimp skewers with:
- A refreshing cucumber and tomato salad drizzled with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Grilled asparagus spears, lightly seasoned for a smoky, crunchy side.
- A simple quinoa salad with fresh herbs for a hearty, nutritious accompaniment.
These shrimp skewers are more than just a meal; they're a delightful way to adhere to fasting guidelines while enjoying the bounty of flavors God has provided. Cooking this dish can be a meditative experience in itself, reminding us to be grateful for the simple joys of life. Enjoy this time of fasting as an opportunity to grow spiritually and to treat your body with care through nourishing, delicious meals.
📝 Recipe Card
Grilled Tiger Shrimp Skewers With Garlic Butter and Herbs
Ingredients
For the Skewers
- 1 pound jumbo fresh shrimp peeled and deveined for that ultimate succulence.
For the Marinade (Quick Marinade Magic)
- 4 cloves garlic minced, to infuse a garlicky punch.
- ⅓ cup avocado oil because what's a marinade without this liquid gold?
- 2 tablespoons parsley chopped, for that fresh herbaceous lift.
- 1 tablespoon fresh basil chopped, to layer in more green goodness.
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice a squeeze for zest and zing.
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste for a hint of richness.
- ½ teaspoon salt to bring all the flavors to life.
- ½ teaspoon black pepper for that essential spicy kick.
For the Garlic Butter (Because More Garlic Equals More Glory)
- 1 clove garlic minced, because garlic shrimp is a love language.
- ¼ cup vegan butter melted, for that velvety finish.
- 1 teaspoon parsley chopped, to sprinkle in more freshness.
- Lemon wedges for serving (optional), because a squeeze of lemon juice or lime juice elevates everything.
Instructions
- Marinating Mastery: In a large bowl, whisk together all your marinade ingredients. Let your shrimp dive into this quick marinade pool, ensuring they're well-coated and merry. Allow them to soak in all those flavors for at least 20 minutes. If you're after a deeper flavor meld, feel free to let them chill in this flavorful spa for up to 3 hours.
- Grill Prep: Fire up your grill to a medium-high heat, aiming for that perfect sizzle zone. Whether it's on a gas grill or over charcoal, getting your grill hot is key to those enviable grill marks and a smoky flavor.
- Making The Vegan Garlic Butter: In a large bowl, whisk together all the ingredients. Set it aside.
- Skewer Time: Thread your marinated shrimp onto skewers. Whether you're team bamboo skewers, wooden skewers, or metal skewers, just remember to soak your non-metal options in cold water for about 30 minutes to avoid a fiery fate.
- The Grilling: Place your shrimp skewers over the hot grill grates. Let them cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. You're aiming for that opaque pink perfection – a visual cue that your shrimp are just right. Remember, cooking shrimp is a delicate art; they transform from succulent to rubbery if left too long on the heat.
- Finishing Touches: Once grilled to perfection, transfer your shrimp skewers to a serving platter. Drizzle them with the luxurious garlic butter and, if your heart desires, a final squeeze of lemon juice for that citrus spark.
- Serve and Savor: Present these beauties with your favorite side, maybe some crusty bread to mop up that glorious garlic butter, and dive in. The result? Juicy shrimp skewers that promise a burst of flavor with every bite.
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Meghan Perez
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Thierry
Hi Meghan!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment! I'm glad to hear that you enjoy reading the posts and find the content pleasant and useful. Your support means a lot to me, and I'm committed to keeping the blog updated with more helpful information and delicious recipes. If there's anything specific you'd like to see or learn about, feel free to let me know.
Best,
Thierry