Lightened Up Grilled Shrimp Scampi

If you are anything like me, you are exhausted after a long day of work and usually have no idea of what the heck to make for dinner. Especially if you've had your head in a book (last semester of grad school here I come) and are figuring out when and were you can fit in your workouts to remain sane.  Yes, I am crazy, but you knew that already. At least I hope you did. Needless to say, when you are looking for a quick, easy and super delicious meal, these grilled shrimp scampi skewers are the way to go. Plus, they look so fancy that your family and friends will think you took hours to whip them up. When in fact, it took you five to make them and just about the same time to cook them. Seriously! Can't ask for better than that. And if you don't have a grill, or the weather isn't best for outdoor cooking (hello El Nino), you can just sear these up in a pan on the stove. Easy peasy.

To whip these up, you need just a few basic ingredients - olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, red pepper flakes, a bit of parmesean and shrimp (duh). You'll also need bamboo skewers too. If you don't have any, you can typically find these at your local grocery store in the veggie isle or where they have the grilling items. Before you start assembling the shrimp, you'll need to soak the skewers. This will prevent them from burning (especially on the grill). Once they are soaking, then you can start the shrimp. Add everything but the parmesan to a bag and toss to coat the shrimps. You'll want to let them sit and marinate for about 30 minutes. This will allow the shrimp to get nice and flavorful. Once 30 minutes has past (don't let it go too much longer than that or the lemon may start to "cook" the shrimp), you'll layer  shrimp, lemon slice, shrimp. lemon slice, shrimp, lemon slice and shrimp. Wow, say that three times fast. Whether you are cooking on the grill or stove, you'll want to cook these about 2-3 minutes per side. When they are done, squeeze some more lemon on them and top with the parm. So easy and so delicious. 

You can of course enjoy these shrimps by themselves, but I like them best served with a little bit of parmesean risotto and veggies. They would even be good on a salad too! No matter how you enjoy them, you are sure to love them as much as I do. And the best part (I have been holding out on you) - two skewers (that's eight shrimp, ya'll!) is only 170 calories and almost 25 grams of protein. Now we are talking. That's my kind of meal. Quick. Easy. Delicious. Healthy.

how good does that look?!

Lightened Up Grilled Shrimp Scampi (SkinnyTaste)

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 large lemons cut in half
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons parsley, chopped (fresh or dried would be just fine here)
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more if you like it HOT)
about 32 large shrimps, cleaned and deveined (about one pound)
3 large lemons cut in to slices
16 bamboo skewers, soaked in water
1 tablespoon parmesean cheese


In a large bag, combine the olive oil, juice from 1 1/2 lemons, parsley, garlic and red pepper flakes. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Let marinate for about 30 minutes.

While the shrimp marinate, prep the grill or your stove top. Get it nice and hot. Beginning and ending with shrimp, thread the shrimp and folded lemon slices onto eight pairs of skewers to make eight total.

Spray your grill or pan with nonstick spray (or oil, if you like) and cook on each side for 2-3 minutes. When the shrimp are cooked (they will be opaque!), set on a plate, squeeze remaining lemon on top and sprinkle with the parm cheese. Enjoy!

Who knew shrimp could be so easy and so delicious!