Spicy Grilled Shrimp with Quinoa Salad

Grilling Season is here!  Even in Colorado where it was still snowing in early May.  This recipe came in my recent cooking light and I decided I needed to make it right away.  It was delicious!  The seasonings in the shrimp marinade totally make the dish. 

Source: Cooking Light June 2013

Ingredients
1/4 cup fresh lime juice, divided

10 teaspoon olive oil

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin, divided

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

1/8 teaspoon Spanish smoked paprika

4 garlic cloves, chopped and divided

24 large shrimp, peeled and deveined (about 1 pound)

3/4 cup uncooked quinoa

1/2 cup chopped onion

1 cup water

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided

1/2 teaspoon honey

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1/2 cup canned organic chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1/2 cup diced peeled avocado

1 ounce feta cheese, crumbled

Cooking spray

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat grill to high heat.

2. Combine 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon olive oil, chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, black pepper, hot sauce, paprika, and 2 garlic cloves in a medium bowl. Add shrimp; toss well. Marinate in refrigerator 30 minutes.

3. Rinse and drain quinoa. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion to pan; sauté 3 minutes. Add remaining 2 garlic cloves and quinoa; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add 1 cup water; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 13 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Cool. Combine remaining 2 tablespoons lime juice, remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and honey in a large bowl; stir with a whisk. Add quinoa mixture, tomatoes, chickpeas, avocado, and cheese; toss gently.

4. Remove shrimp from bowl; discard marinade. Sprinkle shrimp with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Thread 3 shrimp onto each of 8 (6-inch) skewers. Place skewers on grill rack coated with cooking spray. Grill 2 minutes on each side or until done.

5. Divide quinoa mixture evenly among 4 plates. Top each serving with 2 skewers. Garnish with cilantro.