Soy and Lime Spicy Grilled Shrimp
An easy and versatile marinade that comes together in minutes and packs a huge punch of umami flavor!Ā Use it as a marinade for grilled shrimp, fish or even as a dipping oil for lobster and shrimp.Ā
I sometimes feel like I have the best job in the world. Ā Being a personal chef, (this is just one of my many jobs) I feel privileged to be able to bring my passion for food and cooking into people’s lives. Ā Especially when I get to do it for people who enjoy food as much as I do.
My favorite client and close friend is a foodie. Ā She was one of my first clients and our friendship and bond formed over our love for good wine, great food and crude jokes. Ā She is one of my favorite people to hang out with partially because she accepts me as the neurotic, crazy mess that I am. Ā In fact, she not only accepts me but she teaches me to embrace that neurotic craziness because it only makes me a stronger and better woman.
I love her because she is the sanity to my crazy and she happens to be one of the strongest women and most incredible moms I know. Ā She never pretends to be someone she isn’t or acts in any way that isn’t true to herself.
So yes, I <3 her.
A few years back when I was still pregnant, I offered to be her personal chef. Ā She of course refused initially, saying she could never impose on a pregnant woman like that. Ā I pushed, as I frequently do and convinced her that as soon as I got too big (literally) to handle the job, I would let her know. Ā And so I continued to cook for her and her family until I was at the gigantic size of 8 months pregnant. Ā I had my baby and once my mommy mind regained its consciousness and became more than mush I started working for her again.
Sometimes it was just to help with a recipe, other times it was private cooking lessons, Ā or it was a last minute get together that she needed help throwing.
Such was the case last August. We actually had spent the entire week Ā in Miami for my very low key birthday and had a fantastic week filled with great food, gorgeous views and many laughs. Ā She had returned two days before I did and was already in a crazy panic over all the errands and business she had to take care of. Ā In addition she had promised some of her daughters friend’s parents to do a little BBQ after school.
Convinced that there was no way she would be able to pull this together in time, she texted me and asked if I was able to swing by and prep everything for her.
“I have gorgeous steaks and giant prawns that I will grill. Ā I need you to just do the sides and maybe a marinade for the prawns.”
“Prawns? Ā Really what are you a Brit?” I asked her while searching through my mind’s index of recipes.
“Well the size of these babies here is nothing else you can call them! Ā Just wait till you see them, they are gorgeous!”
I went to sleep that night with recipes for gorgeous grilled shrimp, I mean prawns, circulating in my head.
The next day, I came over and whipped up a bunch of yumminess for her. Ā She was begging me to make these incredible CRACK potatoes for her since she saw me posting them in Miami, so naturally I obliged. Ā I tossed them in a delicious mint and garlic chimichurri (recipe isĀ on its way Ā here).
The prawns were indeed gorgeous and deserved a worthy marinade. Ā I whipped together a concoction of simple ingredients that promised an abundance of flavors. Ā My friend is a huge fan of bright flavors and deliciously spicy undertones. Ā So I made sure to add in plenty of red chili flakes. Ā The outcome was a delicious marinade that could very easily double as a dip for lobster or crab legs. Ā Instead of the typical butter.
I received a text many hours later:
“The food was fantastic. Ā Even the children gobbled everything up. Ā But that marinade for the shrimp was awesome! Ā I must have the recipe!”
And so my dear friend…I give this recipe to you š
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Soy and Lime Spicy Grilled Shrimp
Description
An easy and versatile marinade that comes together in minutes and packs a huge punch of umami flavor! Use it as a marinade for grilled shrimp, fish or even as a dipping oil for lobster and shrimp
Ingredients
- 1 pound of 8-10 size shrimp
- 3 garlic cloves (minced on a microplaner)
- 1/2 tsp of red chilli flakes
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 a tsp black pepper
- 2 scallions finely minced
- zest and juice of 1 lime
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients except the shrimp in a bowl and whisk to combine. Taste to ensure that the seasoning and spice is to your liking.
- Place the marinade into a zip-lock bag or a bowl and add the shrimp. Toss everything well so that the shrimp are completely covered.
- Do not allow the shrimp to stay in the marinade for longer than 45 minutes.
- Grill or broil for 3 minutes on the first side and 3 minutes on the second side. Serve with lime wedges.
Notes
1. If you need there is not enough of the marinade, just add in a bit of water to stretch it a bit without concentrating the flavor.
2. If you are not a fan of the chili flakes feel free to leave them out entirely.
3.Do NOT leave the shrimp in the marinade any longer than 45 minutes or you will run the risk of turning the shrimp into ceviche.
- Category: Grill
- Cuisine: Asian
A handful of ingredients and loads of flavour. I love grilled shrimp!
Thanks John!!! That’s how I love to cook! Maximum flavor. Minimal ingredients.
The marinade is delicious and perfect for the shrimp, I can’t wait to try it.
So that’s the story behind all of those party photos I saw on FB this past weekend š She sounds like a wonderful friend and it looks like you guys had an awesome time!
I love the flavor combo in this dish – so perfect for grilled shrimp! And SO gorgeous too, I wish I had a skewer or two right now!
Haha! Yup! We went to a fish market off the beaten pat bought a ton of seafood and I cooked for us while she entertained me with good conversation and kept the wine flowing š
Well, what can I say? You nailed it! Your photos are just getting better and better Mila, honestly. These are really sharp! And how nice are you, helping out your friend like that? Could you come over and do the same for ME?! š N x
Nagi…these were actually taken the DAY I first received my Lowell’s š And I can ALWAYS come over to your house..as long as you pay for the flight and treat my jet lag with some of your fab food and a cocktail š
What a wonderful friendship you two have and those shrimp (we definitely call them prawns in Australia) look fantastic!!
Thank you Maureen! I know you guys call them prawns because whenever I read Nagi’s posts I see she calls them prawns š and I like that more… Makes me feel… More elegant!
I would be more like your friend freaking out. Love how you just came to town and had everything under control. These shrimps are just beautiful. I’ll definitely be trying them.
Thanks Julie !!! That’s just how I roll š
Love the story about your friendship! This shrimp looks perfect! Can’t wait to try the marinade! Pinning!
Thanks Mira š these kinds of friends are the best friends š
I love everything about this post! Of course the recipe(!) and the stunning photos – but your description of your friendship is priceless! You guys are lucky to have each other! <3
Awwww thanks Annie !!! She’s pretty fantastic š
Oh Mila, as with Nagi and Maureen these critters will forever be ‘prawns’ and ‘shrimp’ is something we order on the other side of the Pond š ! Lovely recipe . . . I must try it with the chilli . . .
I kind of love it… I want to call them prawns going forward š I love my Aussies š
These look absolutely incredible, that marinade has some amazing flavours – pinning for later! I definitely need to get you to come cook for me though haha
I’m a Brit so I call them prawns, but every now and then “shrimp” will slip out because I look at so many American recipes!
Looooove the term prawns… Seriously. I’m going to call them prawns so I look all wordly and stuff š
Haha! In my head prawns are the little tiny ones, and shrimp are the big juicy ones. Which doesn’t make much logical sense but oh well!
Michelle! It TOTALLY makes sense!!! I agree with you!
I feel like at some point when I was a kid I switched from calling them prawns to calling them shrimp. Either way, these look delicious and I love that soy lime marinade!
Thanks Meghan š
Haha we call them prawns even in Asia (British colonial influence I think?). Also, they look deliciousss! My boyfriend loves prawns, definitely making it for him on our next cook-at-home date night š
Thanks aena !!! You will love how easy they are!!!
First off, I love how you think you are a mess? You have a child, husband, a food blog and are a private chef? Thats called being a Wonder Woman! And Wonder Woman is NOT a mess! This recipe looks great… and it actually fits in the new protien packed diet plan Im trying to adhere to….. so I KNOW this will be on my table this week!
Awwwww how sweet are you!!!! Thanks Michele!!!
You had me at prawns!! These look fantastic Mila, will be definitely trying them over summer!
Thanks honey!!! I love how incredibly easy they are!!! Just marinade and plunk down on the grill š