Recipes

SPICY SEARED SHRIMP ON MARDI GRAS RICE

Fat Tuesday made skinny...

Everyone knows that Self-control is the antithesis of Mardi Gras tradition. But you can put a skinny spin on a Fat Tuesday celebration. Serve this spicy seared-shrimp-and-rice dish in place of a higher-fat Creole specialty like jambalaya or gumbo. The protein-packed meal is so tasty, it seems indulgent — and so healthy that you can let that Self-control slip in some other area (like dessert!).

Ingredients

2 tbsp canola oil
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and chopped
2 cups fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup long-grain white rice
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1 1/4 lb large shrimp, peeled

Preperation

Heat 1 tbsp oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add celery and pepper and cook 2 or 3 minutes. Add broth, bring to a boil and stir in rice. Cover, lower heat and simmer 20 minutes. Turn off the heat. Stir in peas; cover. Let stand 5 minutes or until peas are heated through. Meanwhile, combine salt, garlic powder, cayenne, and thyme in a bowl, then toss with shrimp. Heat remaining 1 tbsp oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet, add shrimp and cook 4 minutes, turning once. Divide rice among 4 plates. Top with shrimp.