April 5, 2005

Get Grilling With Florida Shrimp: A "Wild and Wonderful" Summertime Sensation

Fire up the grill, and celebrate the beginning of a new season! The sun is hot and the days are growing longer -- summer is right around the corner. Take full advantage of the warmth this season and head outdoors for a backyard barbecue or patio party with family, friends and neighbors. For a fun twist on traditional barbecue fare, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages consumers to grill up "Wild and Wonderful" wild-caught Florida shrimp.

There is no better time to enjoy the great flavor of shrimp straight from Florida's waters. Today, this once prosperous industry is besieged by more than a billion pounds of low-priced foreign imports flooding the U.S. market each year at prices so low that Florida shrimpers cannot compete. The crisis is so real that the United States Congress approved nearly $7 million in federal assistance going to Florida's shrimp industry. In response to the growing onslaught of imported shrimp that has nearly decimated Florida's shrimp industry, FDACS is taking strides to address this crisis through the "Florida Shrimp -- Wild and Wonderful!" campaign. Through this project, the Department is generating awareness and encouraging consumers to ask for and purchase shrimp harvested from Florida waters.

With the support of consumers asking for Florida shrimp one thing is for sure-they will be assured a fresh, superior tasting product that is a low-fat, versatile food, able to grace the table as an appetizer or the main course. Bored barbecue-goers and picky eaters alike will be pleased by the variety of these tasty recipes. Shrimp Skewers and Sizzling Shrimp are both healthy and festive ways to add variety to a grill-out party. If you're searching for a creative way to bring an exotic twist to your family get-together try Grilled Shrimp Tandoori or Grilled Shrimp in Peanut Sauce-a unique fusion that is sure to delight.

So, what are you waiting for? Good food that supports a good cause is just a few tasty minutes away from your next meal. Get the grill going and round up your guests - creative new dishes using wild-caught Florida shrimp are perfect for the season. For more information concerning the Florida shrimp industry as well as fresh ideas and delicious treats, visit www.WildFloridaShrimp.com.

Wild-Caught Florida Shrimp Skewers

1 tablespoon Florida lime juice
1 pound wild-caught Florida shrimp
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon minced Florida ginger
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 small jalapeno pepper, minced fine
1tablespoon soy sauce
4-6 wooden skewers

Soak wooden skewers in warm water. In the meantime, clean shrimp but leave tail on. Combine remaining ingredients. Add shrimp to marinade mixture and refrigerate 30 minutes to 2 hours. Thread 2 shrimp on each skewer. Grill or broil on each side for about 4 minutes or until shrimp are opaque. Serve with Shrimp Dipping Sauce.

Yield: 6 appetizer or 4 entree portions.

Nutritional Values Per Serving:
Calories: 110, Calories From Fat: 30

Sizzling Wild-Caught Florida Shrimp

1 1/2 pounds wild-caught Florida Pink shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup Florida mushrooms, cut in halves
1/2 cup Florida red bell pepper pieces in 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup Florida onion pieces in 1-inch cubes
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup Florida orange juice
2 teaspoons lemon pepper seasoning

Arrange shrimp on wooden skewers with mushrooms, red bell peppers and onions. Place skewers in a glass casserole dish. Combine oil, orange juice and seasoning and pour over shrimp, reserving about 2 tablespoons for basting during cooking. Cover dish and refrigerate for 1 hour. Prepare grill surface by cleaning and coating with oil. When coals are ready they will lose the flame and be covered with gray ash. Place skewers on grill about 6 inches from the coals. Let shrimp grill for about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, basting before turning once. Serve with grilled vegetables.

Yield: 4 servings

Nutritional Values Per Serving:
Calories 235, Calories From Fat 99, Total Fat 11g, Saturated Fat 2g, Cholesterol 172 mg, Total Carbohydrate 9g, Protein 24g.

Grilled Wild-Caught Florida Shrimp in Peanut Sauce

2 pounds wild-caught Florida shrimp, peeled and deveined
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/8 cup fresh Florida lime juice
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh ginger root

Place shrimp on wooden skewers and set aside. Combine remaining ingredients and mix well. Sauce will be thick, but thin enough to allow it to be brushed on shrimp. Brush shrimp well with sauce and chill for 1 hour. Grill skewered shrimp about inches from medium coals for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and cook an additional 3 minutes or until shrimp are no longer translucent in the center.

Yield: 6 servings.

Nutritional Values Per Serving:
Calories 353, Calories From Fat 162, Fat Total 18g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 232mg, Total Carbohydrates 8g, Protein 39g.

Grilled Wild-Caught Florida Shrimp Tandoori

2 pounds wild-caught Florida shrimp, peeled and deveined
16 ounces plain yogurt
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup Florida honey
4 teaspoons paprika
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons minced ginger root
1 1/4 teaspoons cayenne
1 1/4 teaspoons pepper
1 1/4 teaspoons turmeric
1 1/4 teaspoons curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Thread shrimp on 10-inch skewers and place on a tray in a single layer. Mix all remaining ingredients well and spoon evenly over skewered shrimp, covering them completely. Cover shrimp with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Grill skewered shrimp about 6 inches over medium coals for 3 to 4 minutes. Turn and cook an additional 3 minutes.

Yield: 4 servings.

Nutritional Values Per Serving:
Calories 454, Calories From Fat 46, Fat Total 5g, Saturated Fat 1g, Cholesterol 361mg, Total Carbohydrates 45g, Protein 53g.

"Florida Shrimp -- Wild and Wonderful!" promotes the clean, superior quality and premium taste of this natural resource. Florida shrimp are wild-caught in the fresh waters of Florida and free from antibiotics. The Florida shrimping industry supports 4,400 jobs and contributes $226 million to the state's economy annually. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages Floridians to ask for Florida shrimp at restaurant and retail locations. For more information, including mouth-watering recipes, please visit www.WildFloridaShrimp.com.

For more information:
Joanne McNeely
(850) 488-0163
mcneelj@doacs.state.fl.us