
Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Spicy Melon and Cilantro Cream
Original grilled shrimp skewers marinated with lime, garlic, and paprika, cooked over the grill and served with caramelized melon, jalapeño, and a fresh cilantro cream. A vibrant, balanced summer grilling recipe.
Important notice: This recipe is not medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional.
Ingredients
- 680 g large shrimp, peeled and deveined (without cola if preferred)
- 400 g cantaloupe melon (cut diced large)
- 180 ml sour cream (for the cream of cilantro)
- 20 g fresh cilantro (leaves and stalks tiernos, chopped en trozos large)
- 1 unit jalapeño (without semillas and chopped fino)
- 3 cloves garlic (2 for the marinada and 1 for the cream)
- 2 units limes (zest and juice separados)
- 45 ml olive oil (divided)
- 15 ml honey (for the melón and the marinada)
- 5 g sweet paprika
- 2 g ground cumin
- 8 g salt (divided)
- 2 g black pepper (freshly ground)
- 10 g chives (chopped fino for terminar)
- 8 units wooden or metal skewers (si son of madera, remojadas en agua 20 minutos)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
If using wooden skewers, soak them in water for 20 minutes before cooking to prevent burning.
- 2
In a medium bowl, mix 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil, the zest of 1 lime, 30 ml (2 tbsp) lime juice, 2 grated garlic cloves, sweet paprika, cumin, 4 g (3/4 tsp) salt, black pepper, and 5 ml (1 tsp) honey.
- 3
Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss well to coat. Marinate for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
- 4
Meanwhile, make the cilantro cream: in a small bowl, mix the sour cream, cilantro, 1 grated garlic clove, 15 ml (1 tbsp) lime juice, 1 g (1/4 tsp) salt, and 1 teaspoon of the chopped jalapeño. Stir until smooth and creamy.
- 5
In another bowl, toss the melon cubes with the remaining 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, the remaining 10 ml (2 tsp) honey, the rest of the jalapeño, and 3 g (1/2 tsp) salt.
- 6
Preheat the grill to medium-high heat, about 450°F / 230°C. Clean and lightly oil the grates.
- 7
Thread the shrimp onto the skewers, dividing them evenly. Place the melon in a grill basket or carefully thread it onto separate skewers so it does not break apart.
- 8
Grill the shrimp skewers for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until pink, firm, and lightly marked. Grill the melon for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until lightly caramelized around the edges.
- 9
Remove the shrimp and melon from the grill and let rest for 2 minutes.
- 10
Serve the shrimp skewers with the warm melon, add spoonfuls of cilantro cream on top or on the side, and finish with chives and a little more zest from the remaining lime.
Chef tips
For a charcoal grill, cook the shrimp over direct heat and the melon over a slightly gentler zone so it does not soften too much. Do not marinate the shrimp for more than 20 minutes to preserve their texture.
Substitutions
You can substitute the sour cream with thick Greek yogurt if you do not need a dairy-free recipe. Cantaloupe can be replaced with galia melon or firm pineapple. If you do not have chives, use extra cilantro for finishing.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageVictorinox Fibrox Pro 8" Chef’s Knife
Chopping, slicing and cutting strips
- The knife I use most when cooking
- Chops, slices and cuts into strips
- Keep it sharp and hand-dry it
Illustrative imageTeakhaus Teak Cutting Board
Stable base for chopping
- Stable surface for chopping
- Gentle on your knife edge
- Hand-wash and let it dry
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