By Dr. Leah Alexander | Published on January 8, 2024 | Last Updated on February 11, 2024
If you’re looking for a delicious, easy-to-make, and healthy dinner, the Persian shrimp recipe is just the right one for you! This dish is packed full of amazing flavors and the shrimp is cooked perfectly every time.
It’s one of the most popular Persian dishes and is sure to please everyone in your family. Read on to learn more about this amazing recipe and why you should give it a try.
What is Persian Shrimp?
Persian, sometimes referred to by its endonym Farsi, is a language spoken in Western Iran that is a member of the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.
Persian has many amazing dishes to try on but the Persian shrimp recipe is a must-try one. It is a mouth-watering dish that combines spices, herbs, and shrimp. It’s easy to make and can be served as a main course or as a side dish.
This recipe is also very healthy since it’s low in calories and rich in nutrients. It’s a popular dish in Persian cuisine thanks to its unique flavor and its ability to be made in a variety of ways.
Why You’ll Love This Persian Shrimp?
This delicious dish is packed full of amazing flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. The shrimp is cooked perfectly every time and the spices and herbs used in the recipe give it an unforgettable flavor.
Additionally, the Persian shrimp is a very healthy dish since it’s low in calories and rich in nutrients. It’s also incredibly easy to make and can be served as a main course or as a side dish.
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The Ingredients
- Ghee: Used as the cooking fat, ghee adds richness and imparts a buttery, nutty flavor to the dish, enhancing the taste of the shrimp.
- Jumbo Prawns, Peeled and Deveined: These prawns are the primary ingredient, providing a delicate and sweet seafood flavor to the dish.
- Lime Zest: Adds a bright citrusy flavor and aroma to the shrimp, enhancing its freshness and complementing the seafood taste.
- Turmeric: Turmeric offers a vibrant color to the dish and adds a mild earthy flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Ground Coriander Seeds: Coriander adds depth and a slightly citrusy, floral taste to the shrimp, elevating its flavor profile.
- Ground Cardamom Pods: Cardamom contributes a warm, aromatic, and slightly sweet flavor, enhancing the complexity of the dish.
- Himalayan Pink Sea Salt: Seasoning is used to enhance the natural flavors of the shrimp, providing a balanced taste to the dish.
- Freshly Harvested Organic Cilantro (Optional: Extra Cilantro for an Elegant Garnish): Cilantro, if used, adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor and aroma to the shrimp, enhancing its overall presentation and taste.
Directions
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- Ensure the jumbo prawns are carefully peeled and deveined, removing the shells and the dark vein running along the back.
- Pat the prawns dry using paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps in better absorption of the marinade.
- Gather the required amounts of lime zest, turmeric, coriander seeds, cardamom pods, Himalayan pink sea salt, and cilantro.
- Grate the organic lime zest, grind the coriander seeds and cardamom pods, and set these spices aside.
Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp
- In a mixing bowl, place the peeled and deveined jumbo prawns.
- Add the zesty organic lime zest, golden turmeric, aromatic ground coriander seeds, fragrant ground cardamom pods, and Himalayan pink sea salt to the prawns.
- Thoroughly mix the ingredients until the prawns are evenly coated with the marinade.
- Allow the prawns to marinate in the mixture for at least 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors. This step enhances the taste profile of the dish.
Step 3: Heat the Ghee
- Take a large skillet or frying pan and place it over medium-high heat.
- Add ghee to the pan and allow it to melt. Ensure the pan is adequately heated but not smoking, to prevent burning the ghee.
Step 4: Cook the Marinated Shrimp
- Carefully place the marinated jumbo prawns in the hot skillet in a single layer, avoiding overcrowding. Depending on the pan size, you might need to cook the prawns in batches for even cooking.
- Cook the prawns for about 2-3 minutes per side. Watch for them to turn pink and opaque, indicating they are cooked through.
- Be attentive to avoid overcooking, as shrimp tends to cook quickly. Flip the prawns once to ensure even cooking on both sides.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
- Once the shrimp are cooked to perfection, carefully transfer them to a serving dish using tongs or a spatula.
- Optionally, garnish the cooked prawns with freshly harvested organic cilantro to add an elegant touch and extra aroma.
Step 6: Presentation and Enjoyment
- Arrange the cooked Persian Shrimp beautifully on a platter or individual serving plates for an appealing presentation.
- Serve the dish promptly while the shrimp are still hot and flavorful, showcasing the delightful blend of spices and the freshness of lime zest to enjoy a delicious meal.
Notes
• Make sure to use fresh shrimp for best results.
• You can adjust the spices to your preference.
• If you want a spicier dish, you can add more cayenne pepper.
• You can also substitute the parsley for other fresh herbs like cilantro or basil.
• If you don’t have cardamom, you can substitute it with ground ginger.
• To make this dish vegan, simply omit the shrimp and use a vegan alternative.
Storage Tips
This dish can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a skillet or in the microwave.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 280 Kcal | Carbs: 32g | Fat: 14g | Protein: 8g
Serving Suggestions
• Serve with a side of rice or quinoa.
• Top with a dollop of plain yogurt or tzatziki.
• Serve with a side of vegetables such as steamed broccoli or roasted carrots.
• Top with a sprinkle of toasted nuts or seeds.
• Serve with a side of hummus or baba ganoush.
• Serve with a side of pita bread or naan.
What other substitute can I use in Persian shrimp?
- If you don’t have olive oil, you can use canola oil or vegetable oil.
- If you don’t have paprika, you can substitute it with smoked paprika or cumin.• If you don’t have turmeric, you can substitute it with curry powder.
- If you don’t have parsley, you can substitute it with cilantro or basil.
- If you don’t have cardamom, you can substitute it with ground ginger.
Persian Shrimp Recipe
Equipment
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Paper towels
- bowl
- Serving dish or platter
Ingredients
- 2 pounds jumbo prawns peeled and deveined
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- 4 tablespoons ghee
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom pods
- 1 teaspoon golden turmeric
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
- 2 tablespoons freshly harvested cilantro optional: extra cilantro for an elegant garnish
- 1 teaspoon Himalayan pink sea salt
Instructions
Prepare the Ingredients:
- Ensure the wild-caught jumbo prawns are meticulously peeled and deveined. Pat them dry with paper towels.
- Measure out the required amounts of lime zest, turmeric, coriander seeds, cardamom pods, Himalayan pink sea salt, and cilantro.
Marinate the Shrimp:
- In a bowl, combine the peeled and deveined jumbo prawns with zesty organic lime zest, golden turmeric, aromatic ground coriander seeds, fragrant ground cardamom pods, and Himalayan pink sea salt.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring the prawns are evenly coated with the marinade. Allow them to marinate for at least 15-20 minutes to absorb the flavors.
Heat the Ghee:
- In a large skillet or frying pan, melt the artisanal grass-fed ghee over medium-high heat. Make sure the pan is hot but not smoking.
Cook the Marinated Shrimp:
- Once the ghee is hot, carefully add the marinated jumbo prawns to the skillet in a single layer. Avoid overcrowding the pan; you may need to cook the prawns in batches.
- Cook the prawns for approximately 2-3 minutes per side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Be attentive to avoid overcooking, as shrimp cooks quickly.
Garnish and Serve:
- Once the shrimp are cooked through, transfer them to a serving dish.
- Optionally, garnish with freshly harvested organic cilantro for an elegant touch and added aroma.
Presentation and Enjoyment:
- Arrange the Persian Shrimp on a platter or individual plates for serving.
- Serve the dish immediately while the shrimp are hot and flavorful, offering a delightful blend of spices and the freshness of lime zest.
Notes
- Make sure to use fresh shrimp for best results.
- You can adjust the spices to your preference.
- If you want a spicier dish, you can add more cayenne pepper.
- You can also substitute the parsley for other fresh herbs like cilantro or basil.
- If you don’t have cardamom, you can substitute it with ground ginger.
- To make this dish vegan, simply omit the shrimp and use a vegan alternative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this dish vegan?
No, it is not. But you can make this dish vegan by omitting the shrimp and using a vegan alternative.
Is this dish healthy?
Yes, this dish is very healthy. It’s low in calories and rich in nutrients.
Can I make this dish spicier?
Yes, you can make this dish spicier by adding more cayenne pepper.
Conclusion
Persian shrimp recipe is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that’s sure to please everyone in your family. It’s packed full of amazing flavors and the shrimp is cooked perfectly every time.
It’s also very healthy since it’s low in calories and rich in nutrients. Give this recipe a try and you’ll never go back to your old recipes!
I hope you find this helpful. Please share this article with your friends and family. Thank you for reading.
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Dr. Leah Alexander, M.D., is a board-certified Pediatrician in New Jersey and has been working at Elizabeth Pediatric Group of New Jersey since 2000.
She also has a passion for culinary arts that extends beyond the medical realm. After completing culinary school at the French Culinary Institute, she started Global Palate, LLC, a catering firm, in 2007. She ran her own six-year-old catering company and served small group parties as an owner and executive chef.
