Bang Bang Shrimp

Bang Bang Shrimp

My Version

Their Version

Trying to find time to write when Andy is on night shift and I work days is impossible. Maxen puts everything he can find into his mouth, so I can't work for two minutes unless he's asleep, and I go to bed at the same time as Lila. I finally got Andy to take the baby so I can work, and Lila is sitting on my lap whining because she wants to play the Daniel Tiger Tea Party game on the computer. Also, every minute or so she decides she needs to attack me with make-up. I'm going to look like a tranny hooker pretty soon.

Enough complaining about my crazy-busy life, let's get to the cooking! This recipe is one I've been thinking about doing for quite a while. The last time we were in the cities visiting Aunt Paula (for my birthday, in July) she took us to the Bonefish Grill, this delicious place in the West End in St. Louis Park (side note, if I lived in the cities it would be in this area. In a studio apartment probably to afford it). Anyway, we tried their specialty appetizer, Bang Bang Shrimp, and it was the most amazing shrimp I have ever tasted. Because I am (theoretically) following the 21 Day Fix currently, I decided to search pinterest for a "skinny" version--and this is what I found.

Bang Bang Shrimp 

Skinny Mom, March 2016

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces high-protein angel hair pasta (I used Jasmine Rice instead)
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• ½ tablespoon paprika
• ½ tablespoon chili powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pound medium shrimp (40 shrimp), peeled and deveined
• 3 tablespoons plain 0% Greek yogurt
• 3 tablespoons Thai® Kitchen sweet red chili sauce
• 2½ tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1½ teaspoons sriracha sauce
• ⅛ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

The fact that I have everything needed for this recipe seems really weird (really? I hate greek yogurt and sriracha, because I'm not a hipster), until I remember I actually had a similar dish in mind a couple of weeks ago and it's just luck the yogurt exists. I really want to substitute mayo, because it is delicious (and the original bang bang shrimp base), but I'm trying to eat healthy. And what else am I going to use plain Greek yogurt for? I guess I could give it to my brother-in-law, who told me that eating plain Greek yogurt is like eating a tub of sour cream, but normal.

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Cook the pasta to al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
2. In a large resealable bag, combine the cornstarch, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add the shrimp, seal, and shake a few times to evenly coat the shrimp.
3. In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, sweet chili sauce, 1½ tablespoons of the sesame oil, the lime juice, sriracha, and pepper flakes. Pour the sauce over the pasta and toss to evenly coat the pasta. Set aside.
4. In a large skillet, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, until the shrimp are pink, turning occasionally.
5. Serve the shrimp over the pasta and garnish with the green onions.

This is one of very few recipes I've made where the timing on the recipe is actually pretty accurate. Except they never take into account the "cooking to package directions", which is at least 20 minutes for rice. The only reason it doesn't take forever to make is because there is really no prep work (chopping takes forever, I wish they would take into account the 30 extra minutes it takes to chop veggies in other recipes). 

This recipe is super easy and pretty quick. After I mixed up the sauce I tried a little bit on my finger, and it seemed pretty mild (Andy and I like spicy), so I mixed in another 1 tsp of sriracha, which may have been overkill. My first serving was good. My second serving my tongue was on FIRE! Because it was so spicy, I fed the kids dinosaur chicken nuggets and rice, so they have no opinion on the meal. My husband was mad because I left the tails on the shrimp (they were barely unthawed and my fingers were cold!), but other than that he enjoyed it.

Verdict? Taste of Day Success