Lean & Green Healthy Zoodles & Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Basil Dressing

OPTAVIA Counts:

• 1 Lean
• 3 Green
• 2 Healthy Fat
• 3 Condiment

Zucchini Noodles, or zoodles, are an excellent way to increase your daily veggie intake and this Zoodles & Grilled Shrimp w/Lemon Basil Dressing recipe will keep you on plan and wondering why you haven’t been making noodles this way sooner!

OPTIONS:

Use a mandolin or vegetable spiralizer to create zucchini noodles. Could you enjoy healthy Mediterranean food every day? Make this healthy lean and green Zoodles & Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Basil Dressing recipe and you will have made a Mediterranean entree that is absolutely amazing, keeps you on any healthy meal plan and satisfies your cravings!

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 2

Cooking Time: 12 minutes

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Benefits of Shrimp in your Diet

Introduction

Shrimp is an excellent source of protein, selenium, vitamin B12 and iodine. These nutrients are essential for good health and play a role in everything from tissue growth to energy production. Shrimp is also low in calories and fat compared to other seafood like salmon or tuna, making it an ideal meal option if you’re watching your weight or trying to lose some pounds.

If you’re looking for ways to add more shrimp into your diet without breaking the bank on fancy dinners out at trendy restaurants—or even just getting bored with your usual order of chicken fingers—then look no further than these seven reasons why it’s time we all started adding some shellfish into our lives!

Shrimp is low in fat and calories.

Shrimp is low in fat and calories, providing just 90 calories per 4-ounce serving. This makes it a great choice for people who are watching their weight or who want to add more protein to their diets.

Lean & Green Zoodles & Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Basil Dressing

Ingredients

• 1 lbs Raw Shrimp
• 2 1/2 cup Zucchini
• 1/8 tsp Salt
• 1/8 tsp Black Pepper
• 1/2 cup Cherry Tomatoes Halved
• 3/4 cup Basil
• 1/4 cup Almonds Sliced
• 1 small Garlic Cloves
• 1 medium Shallot Chopped
• 1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
• 2 tsp Olive Oil
• 1 tbsp Lemon Zest

Lean & Green Zoodles & Grilled Shrimp with Lemon Basil Dressing

Instructions

1. Make the lemon basil dressing in a blender combine, 1/8 cup sliced almonds, 1 garlic clove, 1 shallot, red pepper flakes, 1/2 cup olive oil, red wine vinegar and lemon zest. Pulse on medium until evenly combined and smooth. Season with salt and pepper as needed and set aside.
2. Place the remaining 1/8 cup almonds in a small skillet over medium high heat to toast. Shake pan every few seconds, until the almonds turn just golden brown. Remove almonds from heat and set aside.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium high heat. Add shrimp and season with salt and pepper. Cook shrimp for 6 to 8 minutes until fully cooked and pink, and add 2 heaping spoonfuls of the lemon basil dressing into shrimp and toss to combine. Transfer the seasoned shrimp to a clean bowl and set aside.
4. Using a mandolin or vegetable spiralizer, cut zucchini into thin spaghetti shaped noodles. Add zucchini noodles to the same pan used for the shrimp and saute together for 2 minutes over a medium heat until just tender.Season the zucchini noodles with salt and pepper and then toss with an additional 2 heaping spoonfuls of the lemon basil dressing. Turn the heat off. Reserve any extra lemon basil dressing for a future recipe.
5. Toss the seasoned shrimp together with the zucchini noodles and cherry tomatoes. Top with the toasted sliced almonds. Serve immediately.