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Zesty Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Quinoa

This Zesty Lemon Garlic Shrimp & Quinoa dish is a delightful combination of succulent shrimp and fluffy quinoa, infused with bright lemon and aromatic garlic. It's perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that is both nutritious and satisfying.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Quinoa
  • 1 cup quinoa rinsed
  • 2 cups water or vegetable broth for added flavor
For the Shrimp
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 lemon zest and juice freshly squeezed
  • 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional for heat
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped for garnish
  • salt to taste salt
  • black pepper to taste black pepper

Method
 

Prepare the Quinoa
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed quinoa and water (or vegetable broth) and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy.
  3. Remove from heat and let it sit, covered, for another 5 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Cook the Shrimp
  1. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
  2. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
  3. Add the shrimp to the skillet, season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using), and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they turn pink and opaque.
  4. Stir in the lemon juice and zest, and toss to coat the shrimp.
  5. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Combine and Serve
  1. Serve the sautéed shrimp over a bed of quinoa, and garnish with additional parsley and lemon wedges if desired.

Notes

For a more substantial meal, consider adding vegetables such as spinach, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes to the shrimp mixture. You can also substitute the quinoa with brown rice or couscous for a different texture.