Thai Grapefruit Shrimp Salad

This recipe came about because I had something similar one fateful night when I got delivery pan-Asian – and then proceeded to think about it nonstop for a solid week.

While this isn’t 100% the same as that dish, it’s pretty close – and almost equally as addictive. The sharp bitterness of a good grapefruit pairs really well with sweet-tart tamarind, and the earthiness of nut butter. Yum all around.

gluten-free, paleo, low carb

Thai Grapefruit Shrimp Salad

1 ruby grapefruit
14-16 shrimp
1/4 c. roasted nuts
1 small shallot
1 red chili
1 clove garlic
2 small cucumbers
6-8 cherry tomatoes
1 Tbsp. cooking oil
Salt & pepper

For the dressing

1/2 tsp. shrimp paste (or fish sauce)
1 tsp. Thai roasted red chili paste
2 tsp. tamarind paste
1/2 tsp. honey
Juice of 1 lime
1 tsp. nut butter

Add to a large bowl, the grapefruit (peeled and supremed), shallot, chili and garlic (minced), cucumbers and nuts (chopped), and cherry tomatoes (halved).

In a separate bowl, whisk all dressing ingredients together.

Pour over salad and toss.

Sautée the shrimp in the oil in a medium pan 3-5 minutes or until cooked through, making sure to season with salt & pepper.

When done, add to the salad. Toss again and let chill a couple hours to allow the flavors to marry.

Serves 2 as a light meal

Low Carb Sushi Bowl

Sushi is something I really miss when I’m cracking down on my carbs – a bowl like this helps in times like that. You can dress this up a million different ways: sub cauli rice tossed with a splash rice vinegar for the cucumber noodles, switch out the proteins, add your favorite ingredients … the sky’s the limit, really.

Gluten-free, paleo, keto

Low Carb Sushi Bowl

Bowl

Shrimp – I had 19kg or 18 medium
1.5 tsp. ginger garlic paste
1 Tbsp. your favorite oil
1/2 avocado
2 sheets nori
1 cucumber

Sauce

2 Tbsp. mayo
1 tsp. coconut aminos or soy sauce
1 tsp. sriracha or to taste
1 tsp. rice vinegar
1/2 tsp. ginger garlic paste

Topper

2 tsp. sesame oil
2 tsp. sesame seeds
1 tsp. furikake

First, make your base by noodling the cucumber however it is that you prepare zucchini noodles. Cucumber noodles will be a bit wetter, so you will want to put them in a colander to drain. Salt if you want and let sit to drain while you prep everything else.

In a large pan over medium heat, add the neutral oil and large portion of ginger garlic paste. let cook until fragrant. Add the shrimp and sautee until pink and cooked through – about 4 minutes total for both sides. Cut the heat and move the pan aside.

While the shrimp is cooking, make the sauce by combining all sauce ingredients in a small bowl and stirring.

To assemble, split the cucumber between two bowls. Cut the nori into thin strips and divide between the bowls. Cut the avocado into bite-sized pieces and divide. Divide the shrimp and add.

Top with a drizzle of the sauce and add sprinkle with the toppers.

Serves 2 for a light dinner

Keto Pad Thai

Mmmmmmm … pad Thai. Oh, how I love thee. Buuuuuuuuuuut, my waistline is saying no to all the carbs. So, a compromise. This isn’t authentic by any means, but it’s delicious. And low carb. Check and check.

Pad Thai comes together in a flash – be forewarned before you start adding things to the pan: prep your veggies, get your liquids ready in a dish, and crack your eggs.

Gluten-free, paleo, keto

Keto Pad Thai

1/2 small head cabbage
1/4 cup frozen peas (optional if you don’t have the carb budget)
shrimp (I used 6 ounces pre-cooked canned shrimp)
2 tsp. tamarind paste (check your labels!)
1 tsp. shrimp paste (optional, check your labels!)
2 Tbsp. + sesame oil
1 Tbsp. fish sauce (check your labels!)
1 Tbsp. rice vinegar (again with the labels)
Juice of 1 lime
1 Tbsp. sambal olek (labels!)
2-4 eggs
1/2 inch ginger
2 cloves garlic
1 small shallot
1 green onion
1-2 Tbsp. fresh basil (optional)

First, prep all your stages.

Stage 1: peel and mince the ginger, garlic and shallot.

Stage 2: in a small dish, combine the tamarind paste, lime juice, rice vinegar, fish sauce, shrimp paste, and sambal olek.

Stage 3: add to a large bowl the cabbage shredded into ribbons, peas if you’re using, and shrimp.

Stage 4: crack your eggs into a small bowl.

Stage 5: chop the green onion and basil if you’re using.

After your stages are prepped, add 2 Tbsp. sesame oil to your largest pan over high heat.

Add stage 1. Stir frequently and cook until softened.

Add stage 2. Stir to make sure the shrimp paste is broken up.

Add stage 3. Toss to combine and let cook, stirring frequently, until the cabbage is softened and the mixture kind of dries out. Hollow out a well in the center of the mixture, pushing the cabbage and stuff to the sides.

Add stage 4. Let the eggs cook halfway through. Stir to break the yolks and make large curds. Cook until eggs are firm.

Top with stage 5 and serve.

If you’re keto, also top with a teaspoon or so of additional sesame oil to increase the fat ratio.

Serves 1-2 for dinner — 1 if you’re alone in the house and like to eat; 2 if you’re not

Paleo Shrimp Scampi

This is a great quick dinner to dress up a Monday that needs a little oomph. The spaghetti squash can be made ahead, and the rest comes together in 10 minutes or so.

Gluten-free, paleo 

This picture is terrible. I blame hunger.
This picture is terrible. I blame hunger.

Paleo Shrimp Scampi

1 spaghetti squash
1 lb. shrimp, peeled and cleaned
3 cloves garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
1/4 c. stock or white wine
1/4 c. chopped parsley
2 Tbsp. grass fed butter
Salt, black pepper & red pepper flakes
Sheep pecorino (optional)

Halve your spaghetti squash lengthwise and place face-down in a shallow dish or two bowls. Add a Tablespoon of water to the dish and prick the backs of the squash with a fork a few times. Cover tightly with saran wrap and microwave on High 20 minutes (or until soft). Remove and unwrap to cool.

While your squash is cooling, clean and peel the shrimp if you haven’t already; chop the garlic and chop the parsley.

Add the butter to a large pan over medium heat and melt. Add the shrimp, a couple big pinches kosher salt, a pinch red pepper flakes and a few grinds black pepper and sautee until just starting to turn pink. Add the lemon juice and stock/wine and keep cooking until the shrimp is pink through and the liquid has reduced a bit. Hit with salt, pepper and red pepper again if needed.

When the squash is cool enough to handle, shred with the tines of a fork to form noodles and dump into the pan with the shrimp. Toss to combine. Taste and add more salt/red pepper/black pepper if needed. Add the parsley and toss again.

Serve sprinkled with cheese if you are eating cheese.

Serves 2 for dinner + 1 for lunch