Endless Summer Pesto Grilled Shrimp
Summer is still with us and my inner caveman needs to be near fire, sticks and raw stuff every night.
( ok, and beer or wine or martinis..but mostly beer..ok, never martinis or wine..I just wanted to sound classy)
Why is that?
Is it the great outdoors? The freedom of the backyard? The smell of freshly cut grass ? Or perhaps it’s the stress of trying to cook a great meal while making sure that my little guy and black lab don’t knock over, fall into or throw toys into the crazy hot BBQ?
Whatever it is…I’m taking advantage of the beautiful Long Island weather, the bounty of fresh basil growing in my garden and the massive bag of charcoal at my disposal.
To me, shrimp is my kryptonite.
Really, it is. I would do anything for a shrimp parmigiana hero, Buffalo Shrimp or even a grilled shrimp Caesar salad.
This recipe is one of my favorites and I’d say, an original.
Fresh simple ingredients make this a family favorite that I think you will easily fall in love with.
Fall in Love with the flavors, the sweet and savory basil pesto, the crisp char of the shrimp.
Fall in Love with the simplicity of the dish and Fall in Love with the rock star status you will have once your friends and family taste your homage to Summer seafood.
There is no “real” secret to mastering the BBQ.
You simply need to have passion, curiosity, a sense of adventure and lighter fluid.
Once your fire source is as hot as can be….you are golden.
I remember as a little boy, about 6 or 7, my family and I would vacation in this sleepy summer, surfing and seafood town at the end of Long Island, called Montauk.
Back in the 80’s, it really wasn’t too built up. In fact, it was quite a simple place.
You went to the beach in the morning, and once you were exhausted from the waves and became tomato red from the sun, you drank the last Tab in the styrofoam cooler, packed up your Papa Smurf towel, Solarcaine, boom box and headed back to the hotel to shower and figure out what and where to eat.
Usually it was to a restaurant, a deli or sometimes to a relatives house.
One grilling experience I will always remember was when we went to my Dad’s cousin’s house for a BBQ.
Hamburgers and hot dogs on the charcoal grill and RC Cola, with Ron Guidry from the Yankee’s, adorning the can.
To this day, I can still smell the lighter fluid soaked coals and taste the super well done burnt hamburger hockey pucks and shriveled Oscar Meyer’s..that must have fallen into the coal, as they were chalky and dusty.
It’s times like these, where I remember the smells and tastes from childhood, that I draw my inspiration from.
Do I want to walk down memory lane by burning cheap chopped meat? No. I just like to recreate memories and feelings that I had as a kid that were associated with food, while making new ones for my friends and family during the process.
Shrimp is so versatile and so easy to cook.
Experiment..and be creative.
This is what I will leave you with.
Oh, and also make double of what you were planning on making. People will want a doggie bag for lunch.
Check out the full recipe below and…
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- 4 cups fresh basil leaves, packed and washed very well
- 1/2 cup pignoli nuts, toasted until lightly golden, cooled, and finely chopped
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup freshly grated parmigiano reggiano
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Combine the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor, pulse until chopped.
- Slowly add oil, while processor is on, and mix until smooth.
- Pour mixture into a bowl, fold in the cheese, taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
- This basil pesto is a wonderful compliment to anything that you are grilling.
- Seafood, chicken, corn on the cob...the list is endless.
- Also, mix it into your pasta or spread on crostini and sit back and enjoy the compliments.
Laurie
August 13, 2017
i miss the island. this shrimp looks breathtaking.
Nigel
August 22, 2018
All I can say is …Shrimp ( or prawns) made like this=yum.
Ed
August 22, 2018
Thanks Nigel.
Caroly
August 22, 2018
I’m not a fan of pine nuts so I used walnuts but I think yours would taste better.
thank you.
Lillie Wicks
August 22, 2018
Reading your shrimp recipe I do feel that the summer isn’t ending any time soon. Love pesto.
Rebecca
August 22, 2018
yum. summer food at it finest.