Spiced Shrimp with Couscous. Seafood. Dinnertime meals.
Recipe courtesy of Ayesha Nurdjaja

Spiced Shrimp with Couscous and Preserved Lemon Yogurt

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  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 1 hr 15 min (plus overnight soaking)
  • Active: 40 min
  • Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Serve this mezze with a crisp rosé and zero utensils: “Just use pita!”

Ingredients

For the Shrimp:

For the Couscous:

For the Preserved Lemon Yogurt:

Directions

  1. Make the shrimp: Soak 8 wooden skewers in water overnight (or use metal skewers). Combine the shrimp, berbere spice and olive oil in a medium bowl; toss to coat. Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes or up to overnight.
  2. Preheat a grill to medium-high and oil the grates. Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, leaving space between each. Add the skewers to the grill and cook 2 minutes on one side, then flip and cook 1 minute more. Remove from the grill to a tray and finish with the lemon juice.
  3. Make the couscous: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and prepare a large bowl of salted ice water. Add the asparagus to the boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the pot and immediately plunge into the ice water to stop the cooking. Drain, then thinly slice crosswise.
  4. Spread the couscous in an even layer in a shallow pan. Bring 1 cup water, the turmeric, 1 teaspoon salt and the aleppo pepper to a boil in a saucepan. Pour over the couscous and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let sit 15 minutes, then uncover and fluff with a fork. Stir in the asparagus, scallions, mint, parsley, lemon zest and juice, and olive oil. Taste and adjust the salt, if needed.
  5. Make the preserved lemon yogurt: Combine the yogurt, green garlic, lemon zest and juice, minced preserved lemon, dill and 2 teaspoons salt in a bowl. Serve the shrimp skewers with the couscous and preserved lemon yogurt.