In the world of cooking, where I have happily invested my heart, I’ve found appetizers to carry a unique charm in social gatherings. They ignite the spirit of the feast, giving guests a chance to blend conversation with the taste of scrumptious morsels.
In the spirit of sharing, I can’t wait to reveal a beloved family recipe today, featuring the star of the plate, grilled shrimp appetizer! These savory delights, while simple to prepare, pack an impressive punch of bold flavors, guaranteed to captivate your guests.
So, let’s dive into this recipe, perfect for making your next gathering a delectable success, without any further delay!
Avoid Overcooking Your Shrimp
A crucial aspect of achieving the perfect Grilled Shrimp Appetizer is making sure not to overcook the shrimp. Over-grilling can result in a rubbery texture and diminished flavor. To prevent this, here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Marinate your shrimp for about an hour to enhance their flavor and tenderness.
- Preheat your grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for even cooking.
- Keep a close eye on the shrimp while they’re grilling. They cook quickly, usually in about 5–8 minutes.
- Flip the shrimp halfway through the grilling process to ensure even cooking on both sides.
By following these tips, you’ll achieve a beautiful, slightly charred exterior with a tender and juicy interior. Your guests will surely be impressed by the delicious flavor and perfect texture of your grilled shrimp appetizer.
Appetizer or Main Course?
The beauty of our Grilled Shrimp Appetizer recipe lies in its adaptability. It can play a mouth-watering opening act for your meal, tempting your guests with a taste of what’s to come.
Yet, it can just as easily steal the show as the star attraction, your main course, with a simple tweak in the serving size. And yes, you can even let it shine in both roles! Here’s how you can serve this scrumptious dish to your delight and your guests’ enjoyment.
Appetizers
Arrange the shrimp on TRISCUIT crackers with Gouda cheese and olive tapenade for a flavorful and eye-catching presentation. Estimate about 3–4 shrimp per guest to ensure everyone gets a taste without filling up too much before the main course.
Main Course
Serve the grilled shrimp over a bed of rice or alongside a fresh salad to create a more substantial meal. Plan on serving 6–8 shrimp per person, along with your chosen side dish, to provide a satisfying and well-rounded meal.
Assembling the Appetizer
With the shrimp grilled to perfection, it’s time to assemble your appetizer. The combination of TRISCUIT crackers, Gouda cheese, olive tapenade, and grilled shrimp creates a delightful medley of flavors and textures that your guests are sure to love. Here’s how to put it all together:
- Arrange TRISCUIT crackers on a serving plate or platter.
- Place a slice of Gouda cheese, slightly smaller than the cracker and about 1/4 inch thick, on top of each TRISCUIT.
- Spoon a dollop of the olive tapenade mixture on top of the cheese.
- Finish by placing a piece of grilled shrimp atop the tapenade.
Presentation also plays a crucial role in elevating your appetizers. To enhance the visual appeal of your dish, garnish the serving platter with sprigs of fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro.
Present your starters at a cozy room temperature. This gives the various tastes time to blend and mature. Remember, some of your guests might have specific food needs.
Think about providing options that are gluten-free or dairy-free, like crackers without gluten or alternatives to cheese.
With careful attention to your display and a range of choices to cater to different diets, you’re set to deliver a dish that’ll leave an impression. Your guests are sure to value the effort and consideration you’ve put in.
Grilled Shrimp Appetizer
Ingredients
- 1/2 Cup Olive Oil
- 3 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
- 1/2 Tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Lb Fresh or frozen peeled & deveined shrimp
- 6 Oz Jar of Pitted Kalmata Olives, drained
- 1 Cup Baby Spinach
- 1 Tsp Minced Garlic
- Salt and Pepper
- 8 Oz Gouda Cheese
- Box of TRISCUIT Crackers Smoked Gouda and Mediterranean Olive
Instructions
- Combine the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl. Mix the ingredients together and then add shrimp. Allow to marinate for one hour.
- While the shrimp are marinating, combine the olives, olive oil, and minced garlic in a food processor or blender and pulse for about 10 seconds.
- Add baby spinach and a dash of salt & pepper to the olive mixture. Continue to pulse on low until the mixture is combined, and the spinach is broken down.
- Slice the Gouda into pieces slightly smaller than the TRISCUIT and about 1/4 inch thick.
- Preheat grill to 350 degrees. Once the grill is heated, place the shrimp on a grill basket and grill for 5–8 minutes. Flip the shrimp over halfway through grilling.
- Remove the shrimp from the grill and allow to sit for a few minutes.
- Place TRISCUIT crackers on a plate and top with cheese slices.
- Spoon olive tapenade on top of the cheese and finish with a piece of grilled shrimp.
More Appetizers to Consider
If you enjoyed this appetizer, here are a few more to consider:
