– 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
– 1 teaspoon chili powder
– ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
– 1 tablespoon lime juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup jasmine rice, uncooked
– 1 ¾ cups water
– 1 ripe avocado, diced
– ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
– Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
– Lime wedges (for serving)
Creating the Spicy Shrimp and Avocado Rice Bowl can be straightforward if you follow these simple steps:
1. Rinse the Rice: Begin by rinsing the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs clear. This removes excess starch for fluffier rice.
2. Cook the Rice: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed rice and water. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Cook for about 15 minutes or until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat and let it sit for 5 minutes.
3. Prepare Marinade: In a small bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, cayenne pepper, lime juice, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
4. Marinate Shrimp: Place the shrimp in a separate bowl or zip-top bag, pour the marinade over them, and toss until evenly coated. Let them marinate for about 10 minutes.
5. Cook Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the marinated shrimp. Cook for 3-4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until cooked through and pink.
6. Prepare Avocado and Tomatoes: While shrimp cooks, dice the avocado and halve the cherry tomatoes.
7. Fluff Rice: After the rice has rested, use a fork to fluff it up.
8. Assemble Bowls: Begin assembling your rice bowls—start with a bed of jasmine rice, add the cooked shrimp, and top with diced avocado and cherry tomatoes.
9. Garnish: Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the bowls for an extra pop of flavor. Serve lime wedges on the side for those who want an added zest.
These steps will guide you in creating this incredible bowl of flavors effortlessly.