Shrimp In Fruity Salsa

In my mind, there is nothing better nor easier than whipping up some shrimp when strapped for time. Shrimp is very nutritious, and it is so simple to prepare. On the nutrition side, they are a good source of vitamin B12, iron and selenium.

For this dish, I wanted to combine some fruity flavors with great spices. I went to my local fish market, picked up some large shrimp and got to work. I chose cumin and coriander as the two main spices as they complement the fruits and shrimp very well since they are not too overpowering. The lime juice and zest also adds some nice tangy undertones to the whole dish.

When cooking shrimp, I never recommend buying them pre-cooked. You may think it will save you time, but it truly does not add much time at all to your cooking and it creates for a much better taste and texture to the shrimp. Oftentimes, when they come already cooked, you will find the shrimp to be quite chewy and rubbery in texture, so buy fresh to avoid this. You can buy them already peeled and deveined to save you time. Also, when preparing this dish, make sure that all the fruit is ripe and bursting with juicy flavors so that the spices do not over power them.

Shrimp in fruity salsa recipe

Serves 4

Shrimp and marinade ingredients

• 2 tbsp paleo cooking fat like coconut oil or clarified butter;
• 2 tbsp fresh lime juice;
• 2 tsp lime zest;
• 1 tsp ground cumin;
• 2 tbsp ground coriander;
• 20-24 large shrimp, peeled and deveined;
• 2 cloves garlic, minced;

Fruit salsa ingredients

• ½ red bell pepper, chopped;
• ½ mango, cubed;
• ¾ cup pineapple, cubed;
• 3 tbsp ground cumin;
• 2 green onions, chopped;
• 1 tsp lime zest;
• 1 tbsp lime juice;
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste;

Preparation

1. In a medium sized bowl, combine all the ingredients that make up the marinade. Toss in the shrimp and make sure all of the shrimp is evenly coated. Allow it to sit for approximately 15 minutes.
2. In a separate large bowl, combine the lime juice, lime zest and cumin. Once thoroughly mixed, add the green onions, pineapple, mango and bell pepper. Mix until the seasoning is evenly distributed.
3. Heat up a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the cooking fat and coat the pan. Place the shrimp in (you may have to cook in separate batches). Allow the shrimp to cook on each side for approximately 4 minutes total, until just cooked. Try not to overcook them as they easily become rubbery.
4. Once the shrimp is all cooked, add it to the fruit salsa and combine well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

This is a very filling salad, so do not feel as though another dish is necessary to complete the meal. However, it would still side nicely with a simple steak.