Ingredients
Gathering the right ingredients is key to making this shrimp bowl a success. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups water or vegetable broth
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- 1 avocado, sliced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
- Lime wedges for serving
- Optional: Sriracha or hot sauce for a spicy kick
If quinoa isn’t your thing, feel free to substitute with brown rice or couscous. My grandmother often used whatever grains she had on hand, instilling in me the importance of flexibility in cooking.
Instructions
Follow these steps to whip up a delicious shrimp bowl that will make your weekdays much more flavorful:
- Start by cooking the quinoa. In a medium saucepan, bring the water or vegetable broth to a boil. Add the rinsed quinoa, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
- While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the shrimp. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, and pepper until well coated.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for about 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add the diced red bell pepper and corn. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the veggies are tender and slightly charred. This step always brings me back to the colorful meals of my childhood.
- Assemble your bowls by dividing the quinoa among your meal prep containers. Top with shrimp, sautéed veggies, sliced avocado, and a sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
- Squeeze lime juice over each bowl and add a drizzle of sriracha or hot sauce if desired.
These bowls are a breeze to prepare, and each step evokes the joy of creating something delicious from scratch, a value my family held dear.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International