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A succulent shrimp tossed in a spicy blend of Mediterranean herbs and spices and a creamy Harissa sauce that packs a punch of heat. It makes an unforgettable tasty dish.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 10 minutes.
Cook Time: 20 minutes
How Many Servings?
4 servings
Ingredients:
1X
2X
3X
Adjust Servings
| 3 tablespoons olive oil | |
| 1 sweet onion sliced | |
| 2 red peppers sliced | |
| 4 garlic cloves minced | |
| 1 teaspoon ground cumin | |
| 1/2 teaspoon ground black lime | |
| 1 teaspoon paprika | |
| 3 oz Spanish pimento olives sliced | |
| 2 cups fresh tomato sauce or 2 cans of tomato sauce. | |
| 1 tablespoon tomato paste | |
| 1 cup warm water | |
| 2 teaspoons Harissa | |
| 2 lbs shrimp | |
| 1/2 cup lime juice and zest | |
| 1/4 cup fresh cilantro chopped | |
| dash of salt and pepper to your taste |
Preparation
1
Sauté the Aromatics
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the sliced onion and red pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and turn slightly golden.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and drizzle in the olive oil. Once shimmering, add the sliced onion and red pepper. Sauté for 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften and turn slightly golden.
2
Build the Flavor Base
Add the minced garlic, cumin, black lime, paprika, and pimento olives to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to keep the garlic from burning and to bloom the spices.
Add the minced garlic, cumin, black lime, paprika, and pimento olives to the skillet. Sauté for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to keep the garlic from burning and to bloom the spices.
3
Simmer the Sauce
Stir in the fresh tomato sauce, tomato paste, and harissa. Add the warm water and mix everything well. Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, or until it thickens and the flavors deepen.
Stir in the fresh tomato sauce, tomato paste, and harissa. Add the warm water and mix everything well. Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, or until it thickens and the flavors deepen.
4
Add the Shrimp & Finish with Freshness
Add the shrimp to the skillet and stir to coat them fully in the rich, spicy sauce. Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Stir in the lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let everything cook for one more minute to bring the flavors together beautifully.
Add the shrimp to the skillet and stir to coat them fully in the rich, spicy sauce. Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque. Stir in the lime juice, lime zest, chopped cilantro, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let everything cook for one more minute to bring the flavors together beautifully.
5
Serve & Enjoy
Once the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve this Spicy Mediterranean Shrimp over fluffy rice, al dente pasta, or with warm, crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that flavorful sauce. Enjoy every bite!
Once the shrimp are cooked through and the sauce has thickened to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat. Serve this Spicy Mediterranean Shrimp over fluffy rice, al dente pasta, or with warm, crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that flavorful sauce. Enjoy every bite!
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
The best way to defrost frozen Shrimp
Fill a large bowl with cold water. You want enough water to submerge the Shrimp fully. Remove the frozen Shrimp from its packaging and add it to the bowl of cold water. Let the Shrimp soak in the cold water for 10-20 minutes or until thoroughly defrosted. You may need to stir the Shrimp occasionally to ensure they defrost evenly. Once the shrimp are fully defrosted, remove them from the water and pat them dry with paper towels.
It's important to note that when defrosting Shrimp, you should never use hot water, as this can lead to uneven defrosting and can cause the Shrimp to cook slightly, leading to a change in texture. Additionally, it would be best if you tried to use the defrosted Shrimp as soon as possible, as they can spoil quickly once they have thawed.
Rana’s Notes!
To ensure that your Shrimp is cooked perfectly, it's best to add them to the tomato base once fully cooked. Shrimp only requires a few minutes to cook, so adding them too early could result in overcooked and rubbery Shrimp.
To adjust the hotness level for your spicy shrimp recipes, you can easily do so by adding more or less Harissa. This chili paste gives the dish its signature heat, so feel free to adjust it. Be mindful that a little goes a long way, so start with a small amount and work your way up if needed.
To store this dish, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to three days. When reheating, place the desired amount of shrimp and sauce in a microwave-safe dish and heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the dish in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through. Be careful not to overheat the shrimp, as this can cause them to become tough and rubbery. To add a little extra moisture to the dish, you can drizzle a small amount of olive oil or chicken broth over the shrimp before reheating.