Jumbo Shrimp Stuffed With Cilantro & Chiles
- 8 jumbo shrimp, in the shell (about 1 1/4 pounds)
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped
- 2 limes, juice of (about 1/4 cup)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning
- fresh ground black pepper
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- 12 large jalapeno, with seeds
- 2 scallions (white and green parts)
- 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- Prepare an outdoor grill with a medium-high fire.
- Without removing the shells, slit about 3/4 of the way through the shrimp down the ridged back and remove the vein that runs down the center.
- Rinse and pat the shrimp dry.
- Whisk thyme leaves, lime juice, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and black pepper, to taste, in a shallow nonreactive bowl or dish.
- Lay the shrimp cut side down in the lime mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a food processor, pulse the garlic, jalapeno, scallions, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt to make a coarse paste.
- Add the cilantro and pulse just enough to incorporate into the mixture.
- Spoon the mixture into the opening in the shrimp and close the shrimp.
- Grill the shrimp shell side down (to keep filling from falling out) for 3 minutes.
- Turn to the other shell side, cover, and grill another 2 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink and are slightly firm to the touch.
- Sprinkle with salt and serve.
- Cook's Note: Shrimp cooked in the shells are more intensely flavorful.
- Leaving the shells on provides a buffer against overcooking, a misfortune many shrimp suffer.
- Shrimp, even these jumbos, continue to cook once removed from the grill.
- It's always best to cook them just until opaque and let the delicate shellfish finish cooking off the heat.
- Jumbo shrimp in the shell can be a knife and fork sort of deal unless you're outside and it's summer and you are feeling very relaxed.
- Serve these with lots of napkins if your crowd is the peel-and-eat type.
jumbo shrimp, thyme, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper, garlic, jalapeno, scallions, fresh cilantro
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/jumbo-shrimp-stuffed-with-cilantro-chiles-381983 (may not work)