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Monday, February 11, 2013

Roasted Shrimp Salad with Thyme and Lemon Frico


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Are you all still eating light and doing more exercise to keep up with your New Year Resolutions?  Oh, it's just a friendly reminder!  You don’t need to feel guilty if you have already forgotten all about the resolutions.  After all, I don’t really make resolutions anymore since years ago.  Besides, eating well and exercising more should be a second nature and a daily habit... not just for the first month of the year.  Yeah, sadly, that’s the length of time that most people (including me) really follow through with their new year resolutions.  So, let’s make eating well a year round thing, and not just for the sake of resolution, shall we?  By the way, eating well doesn’t mean scarifying flavors either, that is a big-mistake/wrong-impression on eating healthy.  May I introduce you to this scrumptious Roasted Shrimp Salad with Thyme and Lemon Frico?  Don’t worry, I will still post sweets and treats recipes that I made.  I believe moderation is the key on those, don’t you agree?

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Back to this salad, have you ever tried a frico?  It is a (Italian) cheese crisp.  It consists of a wafer of shredded cheese, baked or fried until crisp (I baked).  The cheeses often used are Montasio, Parmesan or Mozzarella.  I used Parmigiano-Reggiano, and jazz it up with some fresh lemon zest and fresh thyme leaves.  They make the best garnish on soup, salad, stew, or anything that you love to add a nice salty crunch.  Besides looking gorgeous, the frico tastes wonderful as well. It’s salty and cheesy; the thyme leaves add a hint of earthiness and the lemon zest brightens up the whole crisp.  The texture is super crunchy, yet, melt in your mouth the moment you bite into one.  It’s magical.

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Let me show you how I make them.

1) Grade some Parmigiano-Reggiano

2) Add lemon zest and thyme leave and mix well

3) Spoon them onto silpat or parchment lined baking sheets.  Slightly flatten them with the back of a spoon.

4) Bake at 375 degree F for 8 to 10 minutes and let them cool on the pan over a wiring rack until cool. 

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Super simple to prepare, isn’t it?  The flavor is complex and beautiful.  They paired well with this Roasted Shrimp Salad.  In this salad, I used juicy and crispy Fuji Apples, roasted zucchinis that are tender, and crunchy roasted shrimps and super rich and creamy avocados.  The dressing is simple, a little lemon juice, agave, salt and pepper, and 2 tablespoons of Japanese Mayo; yes, that’s all you needed and that’s all I used.  You don’t want too much Mayo in your dressing because as you toss the salad together, the ripped avocado will break up a little and creates the most creamy “dressing”, hence the slightly greenish color of the salad. 

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You can serve this salad on a plate as an entree, or in a small cup as an elegant appetizer.  Either way, your eyes and tummy will thank you.  And oh, you’re very welcome.  Until next time, take care and let’s all eat better together.

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Roasted Shrimp Salad with Thyme and Lemon Frico: 
(Printable Recipe)

Ingredients for the Frico:
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated
1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves

Ingredients for the salad:
1 pound jumbo shrimps (I used 21-25), peeled and deveined
1 medium zucchini, dice into 1/2-inch pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon lemon zest, grated
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 small Fuji apples, peeled, cored and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
2 California avocados, peeled, seeded and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 fire-roasted red bell pepper, diced into 1/2-inch pieces
2 tablespoons Japanese Mayo
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon agave
Kosher salt
black pepper

To Prepare the Frico:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat.  In a small mixing bowl, gently toss Parmesan cheese, lemon zest and thyme leaves together.  Spoon eight 1-tablespoon of cheese mixture onto the silpat and gently tap cheese mixture with the back of the spoon until flat. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown.  Cool the baking sheet on a wiring rack until the frico are cooled and firm, about 5 minutes.

To Prepare the Salad:

Increase oven temperature to 400 degree F.

Line a large baking sheet with foil.  In a medium mixing bowl, add the shrimps, 2 teaspoons of olive oil, lemon zest, thyme, kosher salt and pepper, to taste; gently toss until seasonings are evenly coated. 

In a small mixing bowl, add the zucchini, the remaining 1 teaspoon of olive oil, salt and pepper, to taste.  Place the shrimps on one side of the baking pan and zucchini on the other.  Bake in the oven for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the shrimps are cooked through and the zucchini are crisp-tender.  Remove from oven and let cool. 

In a large mixing bowl, gently toss the Fuji apples, avocados, bell pepper, cooled zucchini, Mayo, lemon juice and agave until well combined.  Taste it and adjust salt and pepper if needed.  Place salad on serving plates or serving glasses, top with roasted shrimps, frico and enjoy!

91 comments:

  1. This looks incredible! The cheese wafer's look so tasty.

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    1. Thank you. Oh my, I can probably eat the whole batch of frico chips without the salad. hahaah...

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  2. Hi Amy, I like your frico very much. So pretty and looks good as a garnish on everything. I would like to try this someday.

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    1. Thank you. Oh you've gotta give those frico chips a try. They are really good! :)

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  3. Looks great. I do the fricos also with just parmesan as one big tray. I then break it into pieces similar to Whole Foods. I could eat them like candy. And yours with the extra seasoning should be sensational!

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    1. Oh my...what a great idea. I think I would love the frico in a big tray size too! I'm going to try that next time. ;)

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  4. Beautiful!! I love your recipe and photo's. The frico is not only delicious but is a gorgeous garnish and is beautiful with the shrimp and salad.

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    1. Thank you, Suzanne. I'm glad you like the recipe and picture. Oh you are so right, the frico is so good, both the look and the taste. :)

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  5. Okay this is freaky because I was just looking at a frico recipe last night...I read recipe books for hours! I was just looking at a basic one but this takes it to another level! As usual this is a feast for the eyes Amy.

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    1. Oh my...that's a little freaky...or not. Maybe it's a sign for you that you should make a batch soon. The frico chips are so good. You're going to make them again and again. :)

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  6. A star salad! I have to try the cheese lemon frico...a beautiful touch.

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    1. Thank you, Angie. Oh yes, please try the lemon thyme frico. I know you're going to love it!

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  7. Your salad looks like it was made in some amazing restaurant, so beautiful. And that lemon frico sounds so yum.

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet compliment. The frico is really amazing. Give it a try and I know you're going to love it. :)

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  8. Amy, this is so refreshing and I love the wafer!! I agree with Lisa.., fine dining meal right here!! Beautiful!

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    1. Thank you so much. Glad you like it. Oh those fricos are simply addictive! I'm making them again later today...as snacks. :P

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  9. This recipe is so suitable for here with the sun high up 365 days. Love it!

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    1. Nice...I love sunshine. :) Enjoy and hope you'll try this salad soon.

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  10. Never heard about frico but I love the way you used this in your salad! Absolutely fabulous....

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    1. Oh...the frico is the best. You've gotta give it a try and I'm sure you'll love these crispy, cheesy chips. ;)

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  11. Your images are always so beautiful!
    What a gorgeous entree with the delicate Frico, I have always been going to make these but somehow I never had... I will have to get in the kitchen and give it a go.

    I am pinning you now :)

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    1. Thank you so much. If the frico is on your do-make list. Make them soon because they are just so good...and quite addictive too. :) Thanks for pinning. I truly appreciate that.

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  12. The shrimp looks absolutely succulent and scrumptious!

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    1. Thank you. Yes, this salad was so delicious. I'm making it more often as the weather is getting warmer. :)

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  13. what a wonderful salad dish (the kind of salad I love)! Thanks for your introduction to frico and now I am all hooked up and have to try make it myself! Thanks for sharing this great post Amy!

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    1. Thank you. Oh, you've gotta give the frico a try. It's so good and definitely addictive. ;)

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  14. Perfect for guests. Well, special guests. With an appetizer this chic looking, you have to make sure your guests are worthy. LOL

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    1. LOL...well said. I never thought about the type of guests to serve this salad with. LOL I usually make it more casual as an entree at home. ;) But you're totally right!

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  15. I am going to try frico, like, tonight! Pretty accompaniment to my salmon steak and pasta dinner with the hubs. :-)

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    1. Oh...you're going to love it. The frico is perfect company for many dishes. With salmon and pasta, that just sounds wonderful and delicious.

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  16. What an elegant and beautiful salad.

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  17. What a fantastic garnish for your gorgeous salad, Amy. My husband makes shrimp salad but I am certainly making some of these cheesy bites to raise it to gourmet status next time!

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    1. Oh, you're definitely going to love those frico. I can eat a whole batch as snacks just like that. :P Enjoy with your hubby's shrimp salad. ;)

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  18. Sadly, I've never eaten a frico, and it looks like the perfect kind of addition to any salad... or dish, really. Definitely gonna give this combination a go in the near future, Amy. Not only does it look gorgeous, but I LOVE all the ingredients you pulled together!

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    1. Thank you, Erin. Oh,you've got to give the frico a try. I know you're going to love it. :) I haven't met someone who doesn't love it after they've try. I can even eat them as snacks. :P

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  19. I've made these little wafers before, but it's been years. In fact I completely forgot about them! They look so great - I need to make them again. Love the salad too - anything with shrimp is wonderful. Good stuff - thanks.

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    1. Oh, then you know how lovely these are. :) Glad you love this salad. I know. I love shrimps too. They are good with anything. :)

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  20. This salad looks great. I enjoy eating salad with fruit in it, especially apples. Yum! Getting hungry now. :)

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    1. :) I love fruit in my salad too. The Fuji Apples are just so sweet and juicy which adds a nice and natural sweetness to any salad.

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  21. Hi Amy, That salad looks absolutely DELIGHTFUL! Hearty and elegant! Thank you for stopping by and for your sweet comment. Hope you're having a lovely week <3

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    1. Thank you, Aldy. Glad you like this salad. I'm glad you stop by as well and thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. :) Always appreciate it. Hope you had a wonderful weekend.

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  22. Oh Amy, I never made frico...now I know how to make them and you can be sure I will be giving them a try...they look so pretty and so tasty. Moreover, great in salad...your shrimps look so tasty.
    Hope you are enjoying your week :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Juliana. You're going to love the frico, for sure. Glad you like the shrimps salad as well. Thanks for stopping by and I wish you a wonderful week ahead.

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  23. Hi Amy, your shrimp salad look superb. Look so delectable and classy like from 5 star restaurant. Lovely presentation.

    Have a great week ahead,regards.

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Amelia. Glad you like it. :) This is definitely my family's favorite salad.

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  24. Replies
    1. Thank you so much. Glad you love this. :) Have a wonderful week ahead.

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  25. This looks really beautiful. I am loving how you served it up in glasses. Very classy :)

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    1. Thank you, Cass. Glad you like this. Yeah, those served in glasses are perfect as a starter, and portion control (if I don't end up eating 5 of them! hahaha...)

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  26. Oh yum! You got my mouth watering and it's way past dinner! And yep! My New Years Resolutions are....paused. :) I have every intention of getting back on track though. Yes, you are so right, moderation is VERY key. Gotta have balance!

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like my recipe. Don't feel too bad about the New Year Resolutions, we have the rest of the 9 1/2 months to make things up. ;) As long we we're happy and healthy, that's the most important.

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  27. Gong Hei Fatt Choy Amy! These are simply mouth watering. Your clicks makes me want to grab one bowl out of my screen :P. Thanks for coming over too and do stay in touch. Cheers, jo

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    1. Thank you and Gong Hei Fat Choy to you too, Jo. I'm glad you like my pictures. :) Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to leave a a message. Really appreciate it.

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  28. What a fabulous salad and that parmesan crisp is a show topper! Happy weekend :)

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like my recipe. :) Wish you a wonderful week ahead.

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  29. Replies
    1. Thank you. Oh..yes, those chips are the best. ;)

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  30. Hi Amy, thanks for stopping by my site. This is a superb little salad isn't it? I love your fricos too, I must admit I could munch on them forever! Both presentations are beautiful!

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    1. Thank you. Oh yeah, I can eat a batch of those frico all by myself. :P

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  31. Amy you have such beautiful photography! I don't think I've ever visited here before. :) the salad looks so elegant! Love that frico :)

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet comment and visiting my blog. :) Hope you'll be back often.

      Oh...this is one of my favorite salad to make for my family. And the frico is simply addictive. :P

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  32. What a lovely, fresh, healthy dish! And I love frico - it's such an easy thing to make, but dresses up any soup or salad dish, both with its gorgeous lacy appearance and awesome taste. Great dish!

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    1. Thank you so much for your sweet comment. I agree, the frico not only looks great but taste awesome. :)

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  33. I love the salad with the frico. So easy and pretty!

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    1. Thank you. I agree. Simply yet delicious too. :)

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  34. I have already tried these but had no idea they were called frico! I love them and I love the way you have decorated your salad with them. (The salad looks delicious too of course!).
    How did you know this was my New Year's resolution too? Now, given the low temperatures I am at a light soups and stews stage, but I start craving salads more and more and last week I have eaten a whole huge lettuce on my own. Spring must be close!

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    1. I truly love the frico and can eat then as is for snacks. :P

      Light soups and stews sounds great. Those are great options in this weather, comforting, satisfying yet could be light and healthy at the same time. :) Although I don't get freezing temperatures here in winter, I still can't wait till Spring arrives. :P

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  35. Oh gosh Amy, this salad is just beautiful. I can't wait to try it.

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  36. That looks amazing!! Almost too gorgeous to eat. Emphasis on 'almost'.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog and the comment. :)

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    1. Thank you. Yes, almost. hehe...I love gorgeous food and I think food tastes better when it's pretty. :P

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  37. What a GORGEOUS looking salad!! Very light and refreshing.

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  38. This is a lovely dish...I like you unusual combination of ingredients in your shrimp salad. I would never have thought of combining apple and zucchini with the shrimp and avocado.

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    1. Thank you, Karen. I just put my family's favorite ingredients all in one dish...that's very often how my recipes are developed. :P

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  39. Hi Amy i never read anything that u wrote in this post u know y? Simply because im so amazed with the clicks....love ur photography skills....now i will read what u wrote....

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    1. :) Thanks for your sweet comments. I'm glad you enjoy my photos. Hope you like the recipe too.

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  40. I love your photography my friend, this is simply gorgeous :D
    Everything looks delicious!

    Cheers
    CCU

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    1. Thank you. Glad you enjoy my pictures. ;) Wish you a wonderful week ahead.

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  41. Simple and elegant! Thanks for posting. I love your photography, by the way. :)

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like my photos. Wish you a wonderful week ahead.

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  42. Replies
    1. Thank you. Oh yeah, the frico was fun to eat.

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  43. I always wondered how to make the parmesan crisps - thanks for sharing !!

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    1. You're very welcome. Give the frico a try, they are really good.

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