Are you looking for ways to improve your health and eat more nutritiously? If so, take a look at shrimp. These funny-looking crustaceans with a tasty, meaty tail are the perfect answer. Shrimp are zero carb, packed with protein, and filled with essential minerals such as iron, calcium, and zinc. They also contain important antioxidants that are good for your overall health. Their one drawback is cholesterol, however that latest research shows that it’s actually saturated fats in the diet that raise the body’s cholesterol levels and not the cholesterol itself. Like anything, moderation is the key.
The main takeaway is that adding shrimp to your diet is a great way to improve your health and eat more nutritiously. The good news is that this is easy to do because shrimp is an incredibly versatile protein and is fast and easy to prepare. You can take shrimp for your freezer to the fork in less than 30 minutes; you can’t do that with chicken or beef.
One classic way to enjoy shrimp is in fried rice. Here is a quick and easy method for preparing this family favorite:
Ingredients:
- ½ pound small to medium shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
- 2 beaten eggs
- Chopped green onions
- Minced garlic
- 1 tsp minced ginger
- Finely diced red pepper
- 3 cups of cooked and cooled white rice
- Peas
- Soy sauce
Fried rice isn’t a recipe that requires a great deal of precision; it’s technique that matters more than anything. Technique and a good pan. A wok is ideal, but a large skillet or griddle will work as well. You just need room to spread out the rice. This recipe is the perfect way to use leftover cooked rice.
Instructions:
- Cook the shrimp in peanut or sesame oil in a large hot skillet or wok. Shrimp cooks very quickly, in about 2 minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
- In the same pan, scramble your eggs until slightly runny. Wipe the pan.
- In the same pan, add additional oil to coat and toss in your onions, garlic, and ginger. Cook about 1 minute and then add the red pepper and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Add the rice. This is the critical step. Before you add the rice, make sure the grains are nicely separated and not clumped together. Use forks to fluff and separate. Add this rice to your hot pan, spread it thinly across the entire surface, and stir fry it for 5 to 7 minutes. Keep it moving and add a bit more oil if it starts to stick.
- When the rice is hot, add eggs, shrimp, and peas and stir through. Season with soy sauce to taste.
Add this shrimp fried rice recipe to your menu this week!