spicy shrimp vegetable and couscous bowls

Recipes
Image Prawn

Spicy Shrimp Vegetable & Couscous Bowls

We like the chewy bite and large size of pearl couscous (sometimes labeled Israeli couscous) for the base of these bowls.

Ingredients

  1. 1 ½ cups whole-wheat pearl couscous
  2. 1 small red bell pepper, chopped
  3. ½ cup snow peas, trimmed and sliced
  4. 3 tablespoons sliced fresh basil, divided
  5. 3 tablespoons sliced fresh mint, divided
  6. 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  7. 2 tablespoons lime juice
  8. 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  9. 1 tablespoon water
  10. 1 ½ teaspoons sambal oelek (see tip)
  11. 1 ½ teaspoons grated fresh ginger
  12. 1 large clove garlic, crushed and peeled
  13. ½ teaspoon ground pepper, divided
  14. ⅛ teaspoon salt
  15. 5 tablespoons grapeseed oil, divided
  16. 1 pound large raw shrimp (16-20 count), peeled and deveined

Directions

  1. Cook couscous according to package directions. Drain, rinse and place in a large bowl. Add bell pepper, snow peas and 2 tablespoons each basil and mint.
  2. Meanwhile, combine cilantro, lime juice, vinegar, water, sambal oelek, ginger, garlic, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and salt in a blender. Blend until smooth. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in 4 tablespoons oil. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the dressing. Toss the remaining dressing with the couscous and vegetables to coat.
  3. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Pat shrimp dry and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Add to the pan and cook, flipping once, until just cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Serve the shrimp and couscous mixture with the reserved 2 tablespoons dressing and the remaining 1 tablespoon each basil and mint.