A Home Cooked Meal - Summer Style: Grilled Shrimp Skewers over Salad

Yesterday was my mom's birthday and we had a very heavy dinner at Babbo (which was incredible and totally worth eating every last bite of).  I figured that as a late birthday gift, I would make dinner for the family rather than let her cook for us.  Because we ate so much last night, including 3 different pasta dishes, prosciutto, grilled bread with olive oil and chickpeas - all followed by our individual main courses, I wanted to make sure that dinner tonight was on the lighter side.  In order to suit this desire, I decided to make shrimp skewers and salad.  I think the dish turned out to be delicious.  Everyone seemed to enjoy!

Here's the recipe for the shrimp skewers:

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons bottled hot sauce (this does not make them very spicy at all...if you want a kick, I recommend adding some chili flakes)
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 30 raw shrimp, peeled and deveined 

Directions:

1. If you are using wooden skewers, make sure to soak them for at least 20 - 30 minutes so that they do not burn.  Place them in a shallow container and make sure they are completely covered in water.  Let them sit until you are ready to cook the shrimp.
2. Whisk together all components of the marinade.
3. Pat dry the shrimp with a paper towel.
4. Pour the marinade into a ziplock bag and place all of the shrimp in the bag as well.  Massage the bag making sure that each shrimp is covered with marinade.  Place the bag in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. 
5. Take the shrimp out of the fridge and begin threading them onto the skewers that have been soaking for a while now.  
6. Place the skewers onto an already pre-heated grill and cook for 1.5 - 2 minutes on each side.   

And the salad dressing:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup canola oil

Directions:

1. Add all ingredients into a blender except the oils and mix until everything is combined.
2.  With the blender on, slowly add in each of the oils.  Blend until well mixed. 

Here is the finished product!

And we can't forget David's favorite part of any meal...the dessert!  The perfect dessert after such a light and delicious meal is some fruit and a good old fashioned Tate's Chocolate Chip Cookie!