Sometimes I’ll stare at the photos of each days recipe for quite a while, contemplating the best way to share my excitement over each recipe. I will not lie, it can be really hard. I don’t want to sound like I’m saying the same thing every single day, but the bottom line is that I truly love each recipe I share with you all. Sure sometimes I’m more excited about one recipe over another, but if I don’t one hundred percent love something, you guys will never see it. This salad however, is a recipe that I’m extra excited about it. I’m sure you’ve all noticed, but I’m really into using the best of summer’s ingredients right now. I know it’s still early in the season, but with our warm weather in Colorado I just could not wait to get a jump-start on summer. Enter in today’s salad. It’s truly summer on a plate (or bowl, depending on how you serve it up) and I could not love it more.
Here are the details. The shrimp is spicy, a little smoky, and extra zesty. I tossed it with chipotle chili powder for some heat (use more or less depending on your preferences), smoky paprika, and lots of fresh lemon and lime zest. I then grilled it up to give the shrimp some nice char marks and another layer of flavor. While the shrimp is grilling, I also like to grill up some ciabatta bread and corn to use in the salad. The grilled ciabatta is one of my favorite elements of this salad. Not only does it add the carbs (my favorite), but it also adds a nice crunch and soaks up the avocado vinaigrette, making the bread even more flavorful. To complete the salad, I added lots of fresh greens, sweet peaches, and cherry tomatoes. You see…summer on a plate!
For the avocado vinaigrette, I wanted it to be creamy with a hint of spice and lime, so I used a perfectly ripe avocado, some cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice. I really can’t tell you enough just how good this vinaigrette is. I always have a good amount left over and I love using it over grilled meats such as chicken and steak, or serving it up more appetizer style with toasted bread fo dipping. So good. So pretty. And easy!
The 4th of July is in just over a week, and while I know burgers and hot dogs are traditional, I’m really feeling this salad as the perfect dish to serve alongside your burgers. Whenever I host a summer BBQ I always find it nice to have a mix of the classic dishes along with some new dishes for guests to try as well. Keeps things fun…and delicious. Also, if you wanted to pack this up as a desk lunch, I recommend tossing everything but the greens together in your salad jars or bowls and then adding the greens before you eat to make sure they do not get all soggy on you.
If you make this zesty grilled shrimp salad, please be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I love hearing from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every one of you. Oh, and of course, if you do make this easy, summer salad, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram so I can see! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
