What's for Dinner?: Pesto Marinated Shrimp Skewers

Happy Summer! Summer is finally here. Kids are out of school, the weather is heating up, blue skies, outdoor activities, windows open and trips to the beach. What's not to love! Summer is grill time and lighter meals.

Nothing I like more than using my grill.  Get's me out of the kitchen and I have less mess and clean up is easy. Grilling requires little planning, mostly what your going to marinate.  Also you can marinate the night before or 30 mins before your going to cook an item.

Here is a recipe that I can't take credit for. It feeds a lot of people and also a great dish to make when you have unexpected guests drop by for dinner. So long as you have a bag in your freezer, your good to go. Your friends will think you slaved all day in the kitchen. Comes from my good friend Lori C. and thank you, as this was a huge hit with my famiilly. It's easy and will be made all summer long. Can even do this while we are on a camping trip as well.

It's Pesto Marinated Shrimp Skewers, paired with any rice, mixed green salad, grilled asparagus and corn on the cob and that's What's for dinner.

Growing up, my mom was a huge fan of ice cold shrimp cocktail. As she got older, she'd venture into other dishes.  I too loved shrimp cocktail and didn't care much for any other kind. As I've gotten older, I've tried all kinds, fried, sauted, roasted, grilled and in casseroles. What's not to love about shrimp, unless of course if your allergic to to it, thankfully I'm not!

Pesto Marinated Shrimp Skewers 

 Easiest recipe ever!

1 8oz Jar of prepared Pesto or you can use fresh in the dairy case too

2lb Package of shrimp, peeled and deveined

12 Bamboo Skewers or more depending how many bags of shrimp you use

Directions: Take 4oz of the pesto, add to shrimp, mix and let rest for 30 mins. Adjust the quantity of pesto if you like.

Tip: While marinating, take bamboo skewers and soak them in water, so they won't burn when you grill the shrimp.

Thread about 5 shrimp per skewer and put on a piping hot grill, about 4 mins per side, till pink. Remove.

How easy is that!

Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

2lbs or 1lb of Shrimp peeled and deveined, drizzle with olive oil, kosher salt and pepper, place on sheet pan, bake at 425 degree's about 12 mins till done. Remove serve room temperature.

Use any cocktail sauce or make your own: Ketchup, Lemon Juice, Prepared Horseradish, stir and done. 

Happy Summer and hope you enjoy!