As the birthplace of Disneyland, Apple and MGM many people think that California is ahead of the curve.
I disagree…. at least when it comes to the weather.
While many parts of the country are enjoying a cool tinge in the air and breaking out their sweaters, California had one of it’s hottest weeks all summer. Evidently we didn’t get the memo that it’s SEPTEMBER – which means it’s supposed to be FALL… pumpkins, sweaters, falling leaves, you know the drill.
Nope, we had temps hitting over a hundred degrees in many places which means…
I wasn’t turning on my oven. No way, no how.
But, a girl has got to eat so….. time to fire up that grill!!
But since it was so hot, steaks, burgers, and even a lovely piece of meaty fish didn’t appeal to me. On days like that I go for the “hot weather standard” of my childhood – shrimp.
Growing up, whenever it was hot, my mom would make a huge salad topped with shrimp – and to this day, it is one of my “go to” dishes when the mercury is in the triple digits.
But I wanted something a little spicy (notice a trend here folks? Sorry, I promise to get off my “spicy bender” soon!!)
Cruising through the Donna Hay website, I saw a reference to a spiced salt with lemongrass, lime zest and red chile flakes. Perfect.
This might be the easiest recipe I have ever posted here at the Table. Which is a good thing because when the mercury is in the triple digits it’s enough of a job just to stay cool. So the next time temperature heats up (or when you wish it would!) these skewers are just the thing. They are great on their own or paired with asian style salads, noodles or rice for a quick dinner and also make great before dinner appetizers.
Ingredients
- Chile Salt
- 2 Tbsp. kosher or sea salt
- 1 Tbsp. grated lime zest
- 2 tsp. chile flakes
- 1Tbsp. finely minced lemongrass
- Shrimp:
- 1 lb. peeled and deveined shrimp (30/40 count)
- 3 limes
- 1 Tbsp. canola oil
Instructions
- Soak 10 - 14 small (6 inch) bamboo skewers in warm water.
- Combine all of the salt ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
- Thread 3 shrimp on each skewer (depending upon how many shrimp you have this will give you 10 - 13 skewers)
- Pre heat grill to medium high heat. Clean and oil grill.
- If using a grill pan, brush pan lightly with canola oil and heat over medium high heat.
- Blot shrimp skewers dry with a paper towel. Brush lightly with canola oil.
- Grill shrimp 2 - 3 minutes per side until shrimp is pink and slightly opaque in the center.
- Remove shrimp from grill and sprinkle liberally with the Lemongrass salt and a squeeze of fresh lime juice if desired. Serve skewers with lime wedges.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I think Ca is last to get a lot of stuff, such as cooler weather in fall, we are last to hear of things first in the morning, unless you get up at some horrendous hour, we seem to get fashion about six months to a year behind the East Coast, still can’t get decent bagels where I live and it’s an hours drive for good pizza, I wouldn’t go back to the rain, snow, sleet and hail anytime soon. I’ll take the sunny weather…and put on the air cond
LOVE your shrimp…..I may just make some for lunch, and enjoy it while relaxing around the pool, wouldn’t be doing that everywhere else either
Hope you enjoyed your afternoon by the pool… and I know what you mean about decent bagels!!!
We grill most of the year round – look forward to this shrimp on the barbie!
Hope you enjoy it !!! We grill all year round too – so easy and so darn good!!
I adore lemongrass! Great recipe!
I do to Maria!! Such a lovely subtle lemon flavor!
This looks soooooooooooo good!
Thanks Brooke!!
It definitely is tasty…. and so-o-o easy!!
I too have been wilting from the heat and can’t stand to turn on the oven, so thanks for a recipe that requires no indoor kitchen time!
Think we better warn So Cal Edison – as soon as the cooler weather hits we are all going to be turning on our ovens!!
I’m always on a spicy bender! You know we always get the heat in Sept/Oct! I was in NW Arkansas enjoying the first of fall-like weather during the SoCal “heat wave”
Delicious way to feed your hunger any time!
Lucky you – I could totally bypass this heat!!!
Love the shrimp….this would be a main course for me over a salad
Exactly!!! Goes great with the salad I am posting tomorrow!!
I love that you’re using lemongrass. It is too often overlooked and so sublime.
I could not agree more… don’t know why more people don’t use it!!