Description
Succulent bacon-wrapped shrimp deliver a perfect balance of crispy and tender flavors. Coastal cuisine enthusiasts will savor this simple yet elegant appetizer that promises delightful texture and rich taste sensations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 large shrimp (peeled, deveined, tails on)
- 6 bacon slices, cut in half
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 1 tsp (5 ml) smoked paprika
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) cayenne pepper (optional)
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt
- ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) black pepper
- Fresh parsley or lemon wedges (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Seasoning Fusion: Combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and black pepper into a vibrant spice mixture, creating a robust flavor profile.
- Preparation Technique: Pat shrimp completely dry and drizzle with olive oil, meticulously coating each piece with the spice blend to maximize flavor penetration and ensure crispy exterior.
- Bacon Wrapping: Encase each shrimp with thin-cut bacon, slightly overlapping the strips and securing with toothpicks to prevent unraveling during the cooking process.
- Cooking Method: Choose between oven roasting at 400F (200C) or grilling on medium-high heat, arranging shrimp on a parchment-lined baking sheet or directly on the grill grates with adequate spacing.
- Precision Cooking: Roast or grill for 12-15 minutes, rotating midway to achieve uniform crispiness, monitoring until shrimp turn pink and opaque while bacon develops a golden, crisp texture.
- Finishing Touch: Remove toothpicks, garnish with fresh chopped parsley or a zesty lemon squeeze, and serve immediately to preserve the succulent shrimp and crisp bacon experience.
Notes
- Moisture Matters: Pat shrimp completely dry to guarantee crispy bacon and optimal seasoning absorption, preventing soggy results.
- Bacon Selection: Choose thin-cut bacon strips for quicker, more even cooking and better wrapping around delicate shrimp.
- Temperature Precision: Monitor cooking time and heat closely to prevent overcooking shrimp, which can become rubbery and lose delicate texture.
- Dietary Adaptations: Swap regular bacon for turkey bacon or plant-based alternatives for lower-fat or vegetarian versions, adjusting cooking times accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg