Tropical Shrimp & Feta Salad Delight
Inspired by the vibrant flavors of Maui and the passion for fresh ingredients, the Tropical Shrimp & Feta Salad Delight is a colorful and nutritious dish that combines succulent shrimp, tangy feta cheese, and a medley of fresh vegetables. Each bite bursts with the tropical essence of lime and honey, and the harmonious blend of flavors is accented by crunchy bibb lettuce and nutrient-rich sprouts. This refreshing salad not only celebrates the exquisite produce from the island of Maui but also tantalizes your taste buds with its perfect balance of savory, sweet, and zesty notes. Ideal for warm weather dining or to impress guests at your next gathering!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Minced shallots
2 teaspoons (Minced)
Capers
3 teaspoons (2 teaspoons + 1 teaspoon for dressing)
Fresh lime juice
1/4 cup (Juiced)
Olive oil
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon (Measured)
Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon (Measured)
Honey
1 tablespoon (Measured)
Vine ripened tomatoes
4 (about 1 pound) (Sliced very thin)
Feta cheese
1/3 cup (Crumbled)
Finely chopped sweet onion
1/3 cup (Chopped)
Large cooked shrimp
12 (Cut crosswise into 3 pieces)
Medium avocado
1/2 (Diced into pieces the same size as the shrimp)
Bibb lettuce
8 leaves (Cut into 1/8 inch strips)
Popcorn shoot mixed sprouts
4 (optional) (Garnish)
Instructions
1
Prepare the dressing by combining the minced shallots, 1 teaspoon of capers, and fresh lime juice in a blender. Puree the mixture until smooth.
2
With the blender running, gradually add in the olive oil and Dijon mustard until the dressing is well emulsified. Finally, stir in the honey, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3
For the salad, start by arranging five slices of vine-ripened tomatoes on each of four plates, overlapping them to create a circle with a hole in the center.
4
In a mixing bowl, combine the crumbled feta cheese, two tablespoons of capers, and finely chopped sweet onion. Drizzle with a portion of the dressing and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5
In another bowl, gently combine the chopped shrimp and diced avocado. Drizzle this mixture with another portion of the dressing, adding salt and pepper to taste, and toss lightly to combine.
6
Drizzle the bibb lettuce strips with a little dressing and toss carefully to coat them evenly with the flavor.
7
Mound 1/4 of the dressed bibb lettuce in the center of each tomato ring. On top of the lettuce, spoon 1/4 of the shrimp and avocado mixture, followed by 1/4 of the feta and onion blend.
8
Finally, drizzle the remaining dressing over each salad and garnish with the popcorn shoot sprouts if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the tropical freshness!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Tropical Shrimp & Feta Salad Delight?
It is a Maui-inspired dish that combines succulent shrimp, tangy feta cheese, and fresh vegetables with a lime and honey dressing.
What are the main flavors of this salad?
The salad features a harmonious blend of savory, sweet, and zesty notes, highlighted by lime, honey, and fresh produce.
How should the shrimp be prepared for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 12 large cooked shrimp, cut crosswise into three pieces each.
What kind of dressing is used in the Tropical Shrimp & Feta Salad?
The dressing is a homemade blend of minced shallots, capers, lime juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, and honey.
How are the tomatoes presented in this dish?
Vine-ripened tomatoes are sliced very thin and arranged in an overlapping circle on each plate to create a base for the other ingredients.
What type of cheese is included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of crumbled feta cheese.
How should the avocado be cut?
The medium avocado should be diced into pieces that are approximately the same size as the shrimp pieces.
What type of lettuce is recommended?
Bibb lettuce is recommended, cut into 1/8 inch strips to provide a crunchy texture.
How do you make the dressing smooth?
The minced shallots, 1 teaspoon of capers, and fresh lime juice should be pureed in a blender until the mixture is smooth.
When should I add the olive oil to the dressing?
Gradually add the olive oil into the blender while it is running to ensure the dressing is well emulsified.
Is there a specific garnish suggested for this salad?
Yes, you can garnish the salad with popcorn shoot mixed sprouts for extra visual appeal and nutrition.
How much lime juice is required?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of fresh lime juice.
What kind of onion is used in the feta mixture?
The recipe uses 1/3 cup of finely chopped sweet onion.
How many capers are needed in total?
A total of 3 teaspoons of capers are used: 1 teaspoon for the dressing and 2 teaspoons for the feta mixture.
What is the order of layering for the salad assembly?
Layering starts with a tomato ring, followed by dressed Bibb lettuce in the center, then the shrimp/avocado mixture, and finally the feta/onion blend.
How much honey is included in the dressing?
One tablespoon of honey is used to balance the acidity of the lime juice.
Is this salad suitable for summer dining?
Yes, it is specifically described as ideal for warm weather dining due to its refreshing and tropical flavors.
How many vine-ripened tomatoes are needed?
You will need 4 vine-ripened tomatoes, weighing approximately one pound.
What is the role of Dijon mustard in this recipe?
Dijon mustard is used in the dressing to help with emulsification and to add a subtle tang.
Should the shrimp be raw or cooked when starting the recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for large cooked shrimp.
How should the Bibb lettuce be dressed?
The lettuce strips should be drizzled with a small amount of dressing and tossed carefully to coat them evenly before assembly.
How many ingredients are in the Tropical Shrimp & Feta Salad Delight?
There are 13 total ingredients, including the optional garnish.
Can I use shallots in the dressing?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of minced shallots are a key component of the pureed dressing base.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include shrimp salad, healthy salad, summer salad, light meal, seafood salad, and tropical flavors.
How do I ensure the dressing emulsifies properly?
Ensure the blender is running while you gradually add the olive oil and mustard to the pureed lime mixture.
How should the salad be served?
It should be served immediately after assembly to enjoy the tropical freshness and optimal texture.
What amount of olive oil is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Does the recipe require salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and pepper are used to season the dressing, the feta mixture, and the shrimp mixture to taste.
Is the popcorn shoot garnish required?
No, the popcorn shoot mixed sprouts are an optional garnish for the dish.
What cuisine style does this salad follow?
It is inspired by Hawaiian cuisine, specifically the flavors found on the island of Maui.