Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 lb (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped 1 stalk lemongrass, white part only, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon lime juice 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• For the Spicy Peanut Sauce: For the Spicy Peanut Sauce:
• 1 cup (240g) roasted peanuts 1 cup (240g) roasted peanuts
• 2-3 red chili peppers, seeded and chopped 2-3 red chili peppers, seeded and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• Water, as needed Water, as needed
• For garnish: For garnish:
• Chopped peanuts Chopped peanuts
• Fresh cilantro leaves Fresh cilantro leaves

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the vegetable oil, minced garlic, ground turmeric, ground coriander, chopped lemongrass, soy sauce, lime juice, and salt. Mix well to make the marinade.
2. 2.
   Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the marinade. Toss to coat the shrimp evenly. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
3. 3.
   Meanwhile, prepare the Spicy Peanut Sauce. In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted peanuts, red chili peppers, garlic, tamarind paste, soy sauce, and brown sugar. Blend until smooth, adding water as needed to achieve a creamy consistency. Set aside.
4. 4.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Thread the marinated shrimp onto skewers.
5. 5.
   Grill the shrimp skewers for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and slightly charred.
6. 6.
   Remove the shrimp skewers from the grill and serve them hot with the Spicy Peanut Sauce.
7. 7.
   Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro leaves.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Shrimp — Make sure to devein the shrimp properly to remove the digestive tract. This can be done by making a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp and rinsing it under cold water.
• Lemongrass — To release the flavor of lemongrass, bruise the stalk with the back of a knife before chopping it.
• Tamarind paste — If you can't find tamarind paste, you can substitute it with lime juice or rice vinegar for a tangy flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• Soak the wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes before threading the shrimp to prevent them from burning on the grill.
• For an extra kick of heat, add a few drops of hot sauce to the Spicy Peanut Sauce.
• Serve the Grilled Shrimp Skewers with steamed rice or a fresh salad for a complete meal.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chili peppers in the Spicy Peanut Sauce.
• Make sure to keep an eye on the shrimp while grilling, as they cook quickly and can become rubbery if overcooked.

Serving advice

Serve the Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Spicy Peanut Sauce as an appetizer or main course. Arrange the skewers on a platter and drizzle the Spicy Peanut Sauce over them. Garnish with chopped peanuts and fresh cilantro leaves for added flavor and visual appeal.

Presentation advice

For an eye-catching presentation, place the grilled shrimp skewers on a bed of lettuce leaves or banana leaves. Serve the Spicy Peanut Sauce in a small bowl on the side, allowing guests to dip the shrimp skewers into the sauce. Sprinkle some chopped peanuts and cilantro leaves over the dish for a pop of color.