Thai Shrimp Recipes With Basil

Basil Shrimp Recipe Ingredients:

1 ½ pound shrimps, medium to large
5 large basil leaves, fresh, chopped
1 cup (about 12) grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 large clove garlic, minced
Olive oil, preferably extra virgin
Freshly grounded black pepper
Kosher salt to taste

For garnish:

• Few basil leaves

Method:

1. Peel the shrimps and devein them. Rinse under running water and pat them dry with the help of paper towels. Leave aside.
2. Toss quartered grape or cherry tomatoes with chopped basil leaves in a medium bowl. Garnish with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Leave the bowl aside and start to prepare the shrimps.
3. Evenly spread the shrimps in two 8 to 9 inch large pie pans. Divide them equally among these two pans and arrange in such a way that they lie flat and evenly spaced in the pans.
4. Heat a medium size skillet over medium heat and add enough oil in the pan so that its bottom is lightly covered with a film of oil. You will need to prepare the shrimps in two batches if you are using one pan. If you have 2 skillets then you can prepare half batch of shrimps in one skillet and other half in the other to save time.
5. Season one side of the shrimps with freshly ground black pepper and salt to taste. Invert this pan with shrimps at once over the skillet with hot oil in such a way that all the shrimps fall in the skillet. Let the shrimps get cooked on one side undisturbed for about 2 minutes or until they turn golden brown in color.
6. Turn the shrimps with a wooden spatula and cook the other side of the shrimps. Add half the amount of garlic to each divided portion of shrimps. Add more olive oil if needed when you turn the shrimps. Turn off the heat and with the help of tongs turn the shrimps over. On the residual heat of the pans let the shrimps get cooked for one more minute.
7. Transfer the cooked shrimps to the tomato and basil mixture bowl and toss to combine them well. Divide this mixture among 4 serving plates or bowls and serve hot or at room temperature. If desired, garnish with a fresh basil leaf before serving. This recipe makes 4 servings.

Health Tip:

• This is a low calorie, diabetes friendly recipe which can also be enjoyed by people on sodium restricted or cholesterol restricted diets.
• To reduce the total calories and fat content of this recipe further you may use cooking spray instead of oil for preparing the shrimps.