Are you ready to elevate your meal with a restaurant-quality dish that's both stunning and surprisingly simple to prepare? This Shrimp and Vegetable Salad with Pine Nut Dressing is about to become your new culinary obsession! Imagine tender, perfectly seared shrimp nestled on a bed of crisp greens, vibrant bell peppers, and cool cucumber, all brought together with a luxurious pine nut dressing that will make your taste buds dance with Mediterranean-inspired excitement.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- Shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Mixed salad greens
- Bell peppers, sliced
- Cucumber, diced
- Pine nuts, toasted
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare ingredients by thoroughly washing all fresh produce. Pat shrimp dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and allow it to shimmer before adding shrimp.
- Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and develop a light golden color. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- In a dry skillet, toast pine nuts over low heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent burning. Set aside to cool.
- Slice bell peppers into thin strips and dice cucumber into small, uniform cubes.
- Create dressing by whisking together 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a small bowl.
- In a large serving bowl, arrange mixed salad greens as the base. Top with cooled shrimp, sliced bell peppers, and diced cucumber.
- Drizzle prepared dressing over the salad and sprinkle toasted pine nuts on top.
- Gently toss salad to ensure even coating of dressing and serve immediately at room temperature.
Tips
- Shrimp Perfection: Pat your shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden sear. Moisture prevents proper caramelization.
- Toasting Pine Nuts: Watch pine nuts carefully when toasting - they can burn quickly! Keep them moving in the pan and remove from heat the moment they turn golden brown.
- Dressing Technique: Whisk your dressing thoroughly to emulsify the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, creating a smooth, well-integrated flavor.
- Temperature Matters: Serve the salad at room temperature to allow the flavors to fully develop and the ingredients to shine.
- Freshness is Key: Use the freshest shrimp and vegetables possible for the most vibrant and delicious results.
- Make-Ahead Tip: You can prepare the components separately and assemble just before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 8g
Protein: 22g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 180mg
