Coral Reef Shrimp Citrus Dish (Printable version)

Tender shrimp and citrus combined with Gruyère and fresh vegetables in a colorful, flavorful arrangement.

# Ingredient list:

→ Seafood

01 - 1.1 pounds large pink shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Citrus

02 - 2 medium oranges, segmented
03 - 1 teaspoon orange zest
04 - 1 small pink grapefruit, segmented
05 - Juice of 1 lemon

→ Cheeses

06 - 4 ounces Gruyère cheese, grated
07 - 1.7 ounces ricotta cheese

→ Vegetables & Garnish

08 - 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced into ribbons
09 - 1 small carrot, julienned
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely chopped
11 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, torn

→ Pantry

12 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - Set the oven broiler (grill) to high heat.
02 - In a bowl, combine shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper; toss to coat evenly.
03 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and sauté shrimp for 2 minutes on each side until just cooked; then set aside.
04 - Gently toss orange and grapefruit segments with orange zest and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl.
05 - Steam zucchini ribbons and julienned carrot for 1 to 2 minutes until just tender; then arrange them on an oven-safe serving platter to form the coral base.
06 - Nestle the sautéed shrimp and citrus segments among the steamed vegetables, layering to evoke a vibrant coral reef effect.
07 - Evenly sprinkle grated Gruyère over the arrangement and dot with small spoonfuls of ricotta cheese.
08 - Place the platter under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese bubbles and lightly browns.
09 - Remove from broiler, garnish with chopped chives and torn dill, drizzle with remaining olive oil, and serve immediately.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • The cheese melts into golden bubbles while the shrimp stays tender and sweet—it's the contrast that makes your mouth happy.
  • You can prep everything in advance and broil it last minute, which means you actually get to enjoy your guests instead of hiding in the kitchen.
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but comes together faster than you'd think, making you feel like a culinary genius without the stress.
02 -
  • Don't walk away from the broiler—high heat moves fast, and the difference between golden and burnt is about 30 seconds of attention.
  • Have everything prepped and ready before you start cooking; this dish moves quickly once the shrimp hits the pan, and you won't have time to chop herbs.
  • Let the shrimp rest after cooking but before broiling—they continue cooking slightly as everything comes together, and you're preventing them from becoming tough.
03 -
  • Prep your vegetables and grate your cheese hours in advance, then sauté the shrimp and steam the vegetables just before you plate—this way everything stays fresh and cooks together under the broiler.
  • Use a platter you actually love because this dish is served family-style on the same plate it was broiled on, making the presentation part of the experience.
  • If your broiler runs hot, place the platter on the middle rack instead of under it, and watch carefully—every oven is different, and you know yours best.
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