Grilled Shrimp Orzo Arugula (Printable Format)
Bright orzo meets grilled shrimp and arugula in a fresh, lemony salad packed with herbs and savory flavors.
# Needed Ingredients:
→ Salad Base
01 -
1 cup uncooked orzo
02 -
3/4 pound raw shrimp
03 -
1 teaspoon olive oil
04 -
5 ounces fresh arugula
05 -
Fresh basil, torn, to taste
→ Shrimp Basting Oil
06 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
07 -
2 cloves garlic, minced
08 -
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 -
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
→ Dressing
10 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
11 -
Juice of 1 lemon
12 -
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
13 -
1 teaspoon honey
14 -
Salt, to taste
15 -
Black pepper, to taste
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
If using wooden skewers, soak in water for at least 10 minutes to prevent burning and splintering.
02 -
Thaw shrimp under cold running water if frozen. Peel if desired for easier eating.
03 -
Cook orzo in a large pot of boiling salted water according to the package directions. Drain and let cool. Once cooled, toss with 1 teaspoon olive oil to prevent sticking.
04 -
In a small bowl, combine olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, and ground cumin. Stir until fully blended and set aside.
05 -
Preheat grill to high heat.
06 -
Thread shrimp onto soaked skewers, piercing both the tail and head ends to form a C-shape.
07 -
In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and black pepper until emulsified. Set aside.
08 -
Place shrimp skewers on the hot grill. Immediately baste the exposed side with the prepared basting oil. Grill for approximately 90 seconds per side for medium shrimp, basting each side as you turn them. Remove from heat.
09 -
In a large bowl, gently mix cooked orzo, arugula, torn fresh basil, and dressing until evenly coated.
10 -
Top the salad with grilled shrimp, either leaving them on the skewers or removing them to toss with the salad. Serve immediately.
# Supplementary Details:
01 -
Use a silicone basting brush for applying oil, as it handles high temperatures.
02 -
Adjust grilling time for shrimp size—reduce for smaller shrimp, increase for larger.