A Life, Lived: Garlicky Shrimp and Asparagus with Lemon

January 23, 2012

Garlicky Shrimp and Asparagus with Lemon

It's Chinese New Year today - welcoming the year of the dragon. Often regarded as one of the most important signs in the zodiac, Chinese tradition dictates that those born in Dragon years tend to be brave, innovative and highly driven, regularly making it to the top of their profession. Yes, I was born in 1964 - a year of the dragon.

In honour of a new year we whipped up this super fast stir fry tonight. It was a delicious (and light) way to celebrate the new year. I followed the recipe as printed but cut back on the oil. I was worried about the lemon zest since the pieces carved off using the peeler were large. I needn't have worried - they softened up and definitely didn't overpower the dish.

Garlicky Shrimp and Asparagus with Lemon

1 lb. shrimp (21 to 25 per lb.), peeled, deveined, rinsed, and patted dry
3/4 tsp. kosher salt; more as needed
Freshly ground black pepper
1 lemon
6 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
4 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced
3/4 lb. asparagus, bottoms snapped off, halved lengthwise if thick, and cut into 2-inch lengths (2 cups)
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2/3 cup low-salt chicken broth
1/2 tsp. cornstarch

Sprinkle the shrimp with a scant 1/4 tsp. salt and a few generous grinds of black pepper. Using a peeler, gently shave the zest in strips from the lemon, taking care not to get any of the bitter white pith. Squeeze the lemon to get 1 Tbs. juice.

Put a 12-inch skillet (not nonstick) over medium-high heat for 1-1/2 minutes. Add 2 Tbs. of the oil and once it’s shimmering hot, add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook undisturbed until the shrimp browns nicely, about 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp and brown the second side, about 1-1/2 minutes. Transfer to a large plate. The shrimp should be a little undercooked.

Reduce the heat to medium, add the remaining 4 Tbs. oil and the garlic and cook, tossing, until the garlic starts to sizzle steadily, about 30 seconds. Add the asparagus, lemon zest, and red pepper flakes, sprinkle with 1/2 tsp. salt and cook, tossing often, until the garlic is golden brown and the asparagus looks blistery in places, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth, cover, with the lid ajar, and cook until the asparagus is just tender, 1 to 2 minutes.

In a small dish, whisk together the cornstarch with 1 Tbs. water, stir into the asparagus mixture, and bring to a boil. Stir in the shrimp, reduce the heat to low, and cook, tossing, until the shrimp is opaque throughout (cut one in half to check), 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the 1 Tbs. lemon juice and then add salt, pepper, and additional lemon juice to taste. Serve immediately.

Posted at 08:12 PM in Cooking, Diet, Seafood | Permalink