Tunisia’s Spicy Citrus Grilled Shrimp
Dive into the vibrant flavors of North Africa with our Tunisia’s Spicy Citrus Grilled Shrimp. This dish features succulent shrimp marinated in a tantalizing blend of spices and fresh ingredients that bring out the best of the Mediterranean. Perfect for a light lunch or a fun snack, these grilled shrimp are complemented by a zesty sauce made from ripe tomatoes, fresh herbs, and a hint of heat from chili peppers. Serve with lime wedges for a refreshing finish. Ideal for sharing at gatherings or enjoying on a warm evening, this recipe is a delightful celebration of flavors sure to impress your guests.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Large shrimp (shelled and deveined)
3 lbs
Olive oil
to taste (for brushing and sauce)
Salt
to taste
Black pepper
to taste
Lime wedge
for serving
Tomatoes (chopped)
2 medium (chopped)
Olive oil
1/3 cup (for sauce)
Parsley (finely chopped)
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
Green onions (finely chopped)
2 tablespoons (finely chopped)
Garlic clove (finely chopped)
1 (finely chopped)
Salt
1 teaspoon
Hot red chili pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Black pepper
1/2 teaspoon
Sugar
1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
1
In a medium bowl, combine chopped tomatoes, parsley, green onions, minced garlic, salt, hot red chili pepper, black pepper, and sugar. Add 1/3 cup of olive oil, mixing well. Cover and refrigerate the sauce to allow the flavors to meld together while you prepare the shrimp.
2
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes to prevent burning.
3
Thread the cleaned shrimp onto the skewers, making sure they are evenly spaced. Brush both sides of the shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
4
Place the shrimp skewers on the prepared grill. Cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, indicating they are fully cooked.
5
Remove the shrimp from the grill and serve hot, accompanied by the chilled sauce and lime wedges for squeezing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Tunisia’s Spicy Citrus Grilled Shrimp?
It is a vibrant North African dish featuring succulent shrimp marinated in Mediterranean spices, served with a zesty tomato and herb sauce.
What are the primary ingredients for the shrimp sauce?
The sauce consists of chopped tomatoes, parsley, green onions, minced garlic, olive oil, hot red chili pepper, salt, black pepper, and a hint of sugar.
How long should I grill the shrimp?
The shrimp should be cooked for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
What is the recommended grill temperature for this recipe?
Preheat your grill to medium-high heat for the best results.
How do I prepare wooden skewers for grilling?
If you are using wooden skewers, soak them in water for about 30 minutes before threading the shrimp to prevent them from burning.
Should the sauce be served hot or cold?
The sauce should be refrigerated to allow flavors to meld and then served chilled alongside the hot grilled shrimp.
What kind of shrimp works best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 lbs of large shrimp that have been shelled and deveined.
Is this Tunisia’s Spicy Citrus Grilled Shrimp recipe spicy?
Yes, it includes hot red chili pepper and black pepper to provide a tantalizing spicy kick.
What citrus is used for serving?
Fresh lime wedges are served with the shrimp for a refreshing, zesty finish.
How many garlic cloves are needed for the sauce?
You will need one finely chopped garlic clove for the sauce.
What is the purpose of adding sugar to the sauce?
A small amount of sugar (1/4 teaspoon) is used to balance the acidity and heat in the tomato-based sauce.
What herbs are included in this Tunisian dish?
Fresh parsley and green onions are the primary herbs used to flavor the sauce.
How much olive oil is used in the sauce?
The sauce requires 1/3 cup of olive oil, mixed well with the other ingredients.
How do I know when the shrimp are fully cooked?
Shrimp are fully cooked when they lose their translucency and become pink and opaque.
Can I serve this for a light lunch?
Yes, the description highlights that these grilled shrimp are perfect for a light lunch or a healthy snack.
What type of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe specifies two medium tomatoes, finely chopped.
How much salt is added to the sauce?
The sauce calls for 1 teaspoon of salt, though you can also add more to the shrimp themselves to taste.
Is this recipe suitable for guests?
Yes, it is described as a delightful celebration of flavors that is sure to impress your guests at gatherings.
How do I prepare the shrimp before threading them?
Brush both sides of the cleaned shrimp with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
What is the origin of the flavors in this dish?
The dish draws from North African and Mediterranean culinary traditions, specifically Tunisia.
What amount of green onions is required?
You should use 2 tablespoons of finely chopped green onions.
Can I use this recipe for a barbecue?
Absolutely; it is specifically designed for grilling and is ideal for warm evening barbecues.
How much parsley is needed?
The recipe requires 1/4 cup of finely chopped parsley.
How much hot red chili pepper is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1/2 teaspoon of hot red chili pepper for the sauce.
Do I need to marinate the shrimp?
The shrimp are brushed with oil and seasoned before grilling, while the sauce provides the primary marinated flavor profile when served.
Is the shrimp served on or off the skewer?
They are grilled on skewers but can be removed or served directly on the skewers depending on preference.
How many servings does 3 lbs of shrimp provide?
While specific servings aren't listed, 3 lbs typically serves 4 to 6 people as a main dish or more as a snack.
Should the shrimp be shelled before cooking?
Yes, the recipe specifies using shelled and deveined shrimp.
What is the first step of the recipe?
The first step is preparing the sauce by combining tomatoes, herbs, garlic, spices, and oil in a medium bowl.
What is the texture of the sauce?
The sauce is a chunky, fresh mixture of chopped vegetables and herbs in an oil base.