Grilled Asian Pesto Shrimp

SERVES: 4

COOK TIME: 10 Min

You'll have one happy tummy after you give this dish a try and believe us, you'll want to eat every last bite of this Grilled Asian Pesto Shrimp.

What You'll Need

2 pounds unpeeled medium-size fresh shrimp
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
3 tablespoons minced garlic
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1 green onion, chopped
2 teaspoons dried crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Nonstick cooking spray

What to Do

Peel shrimp, and devein, if desired; set shrimp aside.
Process olive oil and next 7 ingredients in an electric blender until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Place pesto mixture in a large heavy-duty, zip-top plastic bag. Add shrimp; seal bag securely, and shake until shrimp are coated. Marinate shrimp in refrigerator 1 to 3 hours, turning bag occasionally.
Preheat the grill. Remove shrimp from marinade, discarding marinade; thread shrimp onto 12 (10-inch) skewers. Coat food rack with nonstick cooking spray, and place on grill over medium-hot coals (350 degrees to 400 degrees). Place skewers on rack, and grill, uncovered, 3 minutes on each side or until done.

Notes

You can substitute commercial pesto and 2 teaspoons dried crushed red pepper for the pesto mixture that's made with olive oil, sesame oil, garlic, basil, green onion, red pepper, salt, and black pepper. But, my homemade pesto sauce really perks up fresh shrimp! For those who like a little heat, go ahead and marinate the shrimp longer to give them more punch. When it's time to thread the shrimp on the skewers, try my little trick to prevent the shrimp from twirling around?just thread them at both the head and the tail.