Grilled Shrimp and Mushroom Quinoa

 

I have been a shrimp lover for as long as I can remember.  I used to order shrimp cocktail off the appetizer menu when I was only six years old, and have never looked back.  Today's meal is a take on the classic southern dish, shrimp and grits.  This version is just a healthier and faster version.  Shrimp is delicious, however, it takes ALOT of the little guys to fill someone up.  Which is why they get paired with some sort of starchy side, like grits, risotto, potatoes, etc.  I am trying to cut gluten out of my diet these days, to see if I can get my waist line to move in a negative direction for once in my life :).  Therefore, I have gone with quinoa, which is actually a seed.  Quinoa is a great carrier of flavors, however, I am not a fan of eating it by itself...

Grilled Shrimp

1/3 cup low sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon sriracha, more if you like it hot!!!
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Medium shrimp (U20-30) deveined, tail on

Add all the ingredients in a zip locked bag and refridgerate for up to two hours, turning over half way through.  Grill on medium heat for four minutes, flip and grill for two more minutes.  there should be grill marks and the tails should be charred.


Mushroom Quinoa

1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1 1/2 cup water
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 yellow onion, diced
8 baby 'bella mushrooms, sliced thin
olive oil, enough to cover bottom of saute pan
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup shredded sharp chedder cheese

Place quinoa and water in a small pot, bring to boil.  Reduce heat to low, and simmer covered for ten minutes.  In a saute pan on medium heat add oil and garlic. cook for ten seconds, then add onions.  Cook onions for two minutes, then add mushrooms.  Add your herbs/spices and stir to evenly distribute.  When onions are cooked, about ten minutes, add the butter to the pan and stir to melt.  Once the butter has melted mix in the quinoa.  Add in your shredded cheese and mix until cheese is thoroughly melted and mixed in.   Top quinoa with grilled shrimp and Eat UP!!!  (don't eat the tails...they are not delicious.)