Imagine a light, refreshing salad that captures the essence of summer in every bite - crisp, succulent shrimp dancing with bright green peas, kissed by a zesty lemon dressing that will make your taste buds sing! This Shrimp and Pea Salad isn't just a recipe; it's a quick, elegant culinary escape that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy dish you can create in just 15 minutes. Whether you're hosting a backyard gathering or craving a quick, nutritious meal, this recipe is about to become your new warm-weather obsession.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Total Time: 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Fresh peas, blanched
- Cherry tomatoes, halved
- Red onion, diced
- Lemon juice
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a medium pot with water and bring to a rolling boil. Add a pinch of salt to the water.
- Prepare an ice bath in a large bowl with cold water and ice cubes to quickly cool the shrimp and peas after cooking.
- Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the boiling water and cook for 2-3 minutes until they turn pink and become opaque.
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked shrimp to the ice bath to stop the cooking process and maintain their tender texture.
- In the same boiling water, blanch the fresh peas for about 1-2 minutes until they are bright green and tender-crisp.
- Drain the peas and immediately transfer them to the ice bath alongside the shrimp to cool and preserve their color and texture.
- Drain the shrimp and peas thoroughly and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled shrimp, blanched peas, halved cherry tomatoes, and diced red onion.
- In a small separate bowl, whisk together fresh lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to create a light dressing.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Refrigerate the salad for 10-15 minutes to allow flavors to meld before serving chilled.
Tips
- Always use fresh, high-quality shrimp for the best flavor and texture.
- Don't overcook the shrimp - 2-3 minutes is perfect to keep them tender and juicy.
- The ice bath is crucial: it stops the cooking process and helps maintain that beautiful, vibrant color of peas and shrimp.
- For extra flavor, consider adding fresh herbs like chopped dill or basil.
- If you're prepping ahead, keep the dressing separate and add just before serving to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.
- For a protein boost, you can add crumbled feta cheese or sliced almonds.
- Serve chilled for the most refreshing experience on a hot day.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 180kcal
Carbohydrates: 10g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 170mg
