Florida Shrimp on the Barbie

To me nothing tastes better than food grilled outside. There’s just something about the flames, smoke and the sizzle of the grill that makes everything taste better. But even when it comes to grilling, I like my recipes fast and easy. This recipe fits that criteria and is one of my favorites.

We have a wonderful selection of shrimp here in Florida, so visit your fish monger and select your favorites. Serve this with some homemade coleslaw and a French baguette for a picnic meal fit for a king – or a queen!

Basil Garlic Grilled Shrimp

• 12 ounces raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped 
• 4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 tabelspoons extra virgin olive oil 
• 2 1/4 oz. butter
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced          

Directions:                                                                                    

1. Place the shrimp in a nonmetallic bowl with the basil, lemon juice and salt and pepper. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

2. In a small skillet, heat the oil and butter until melted. Stir in the garlic and cook
about 1 to 2 minutes.

3. Remove the shrimp from the marinade and drain them well. Then add to the skillet with the garlic, oil and butter just to coat. Do this off the heat. Once the shrimp are coated, thread them onto the skewers.

4. Grill over a hot fire for 5 to 7 minutes, turning the skewers occasionally until shrimp are pink and cooked through. During cooking, brush the shrimp with the remaining garlic butter mixture.

5. Place the skewers with the cooked shrimp on a serving platter, and drizzle any remaining garlic butter over the top.

Serve immediately and enjoy!

Chef’s Tip: This is great with chicken, too. Just cut up bite-sized pieces of
skinless, boneless chicken breasts for the skewers instead of using shrimp.