I like to include fish in at least 2 meals per week, and this recipe is one of my favorites. It is super simple and delicious. Whether this recipe is made for a at-home date night, quick meal, or for company, it is very flavorful.
Omega-3 fatty acid
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for health, but your body cannot produce them. It is beneficial for heart health, brain health, and reducing inflammation. Many people do not have enough of this in their diets. Some foods you can get this from are seafood, flax seeds, and soybeans. Taking omega-3 fatty acids through supplementation is not recommended unless consulted with a healthcare professional, since there can be negative side effects. It is better to get nutrients through food rather than a supplement if possible, since it is more natural and easier for your body to digest.
For more information about omega-3 fatty acids, visit: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17290-omega-3-fatty-acids
For more information about supplementation and safety, visit: https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/fda-101-dietary-supplements
Make it Yours
This is a very quick and simple recipe, but it is easy to dress up to make it your own. I think that some yummy additions to this recipe would be:
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Feta cheese
- If you want to be fancy, you can sub the shrimp with some scallops
Equipment Needed
- fry pan
- knife
- cutting board
- wooden spoon (to mix)
Shrimp Lemon Orzo
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley
- 1/2 red onion
- 2 garlic cloves
- bundle of asparagus
- 19 small shrimps (deveined and no tails)
- 2 tsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- sprinkle of pepper
- 6 ounces of orzo pasta (dry)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp parmesan
- 1 lemon (for lemon juice)
Instructions
1. In a pot, boil some water with salt for the orzo.
2. Wash all veggies. On a clean cutting board, mince parsley, garlic, and chop up red onion. Trim asparagus on the ends
3. Meanwhile, in a small pan, drizzle 1/2 tbsp of olive oil and heat on medium heat. Once heated, place the shrimp in the pan and season with Cajun seasoning. Mix until seasoning is evenly spread. Cook while flipping shrimps every so often until no longer translucent and have a pink or orange hue. Then take it off the heat and set it aside.
4. Once water is boiling, put the orzo in the pot and cook for the time recommended on the box. Once finished, drain pasta in a pasta colander.
5. In the same pan, drizzle another 1/4 tbsp of olive oil to heat. Then place asparagus on the pan and season with pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss asparagus and cook until fork-tender.
6. In another pan, heat 1/4 tbsp of olive oil. Then cook onions and garlic in the pan until the onions are translucent and the garlic has a fragrant aroma.
7. Take the pan off the heat and mix the onions, garlic, orzo, remaining olive oil, parsley, and parmesan. Then squeeze lemon on top of the mixture and stir in.
8. Plate the orzo and topping it with the shrimp. Serve with asparagus on the side.