It’s been quite some time since I’ve felt inspired to get in the kitchen. I eat so much food right now with bulking season in full swing that food is not often appealing. It’s something I just have to eat to build muscle. The thought of creating a new recipe has been hard to fathom. I continue to be grateful that Kirk has been picking up the slack in the kitchen!
This past weekend I was on my own. Kirk had to work through the weekend out of town and I headed to the mountains as a solo traveler. It was relaxing and fun – just what I needed after a week of travel myself. My lunch on Saturday at Beaver Creek inspired this dinner creation. A huge bowl of grains and greens, featuring my favorite brussels sprouts shaved into the salad.
Once I got home on Sunday night, I knew I wanted to create something similar in the kitchen. I defrosted a portion of Sizzlefish (affiliate) shrimp from the freezer and picked up the rest of the ingredients to create the dish. Don’t let the ingredient list scare you off – this took me no more than 45 minutes from start to finish – including the time to cook the grains and marinate the shrimp!
For my vegetarian friends, just skip the shrimp to make a delicious plant-based dinner. You may want to increase the amount lentils, if you are looking to up your protein.
- 1/2 cup red lentils
- 1/2 cup farro
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 1 cup lime juice
- 1/4 cup sriracha
- 2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 4 garlic clove, finely diced
- 4 servings shrimp (I use sizzlefish)
- 2 cups brussels sprouts, trimmed
- 1 cup baby kale
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1/2 cup cherries
- 2 tablespoons dijon mustard
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 garlic cloves, finely diced
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- Combine lentils, farro, and water together in a rice cooker and cook according to package directions.
- While cooking grains, combine lime juice through shrimp in a small bowl. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Using a food processor and shredding blade, shred the brussels sprouts, kale and spinach. Stir in cherries.
- Pour shrimp and marinade into a saute pan and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, flipping once to cook evenly.
- Combine lentills and greens together. Divide evenly onto four plates or bowls and top with one serving of shrimp.
- Prepare vinaigrette (optional): Mix together dijon mustard through lime juice. Drizzle over shrimp.
Another option for preparing the veggies is to shred the brussels sprouts, but just chop the kale & spinach. This would produce a thicker salad base and more variety of texture. Either way, I think you’ll be surprised at how filling this dish is – all those veggies and nutrients really pack a punch.
[Tweet “Cook up a veggie packed #dinner tonight – Greens & Grains Shrimp Salad. #recipe”]
Hungry for more pescatarian recipes? You can browse more creations in my recipe archives.
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Questions for you:
- What’s your favorite green veggie?
- Have you ever gone away for the weekend as a solo traveler?