Seared Shrimp with Harissa-Tahini Sauce

By Marge Perry & David Bonom

Seared Shrimp with Harissa-Tahini Sauce

Beautifully seared and crusted shrimp are drizzled with a creamy, rich (and of course, dairy free), and mildly spicy sauce. A good crust on the shrimp not only provides great textural contrast, it deepens the flavor of the shrimp. To ensure a great crust, choose a pan that heats evenly, get the oil to the point where it shimmers but doesn’t smoke, and add the shrimp without overcrowding the pan.

Note: This may also be made in advance and served cold as an appetizer with the sauce as a dip.

Yield:

4 Servings

Beautifully seared and crusted shrimp are drizzled with a creamy, rich (and of course, dairy free), and mildly spicy sauce. A good crust on the shrimp not only provides great textural contrast, it deepens the flavor of the shrimp. To ensure a great crust, choose a pan that heats evenly, get the oil to the point where it shimmers but doesn’t smoke, and add the shrimp without overcrowding the pan.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons tahini

5 tablespoons olive oil, divided

3 tablespoons mayonnaise

3 tablespoons water

4 teaspoons harissa paste

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon zest

1 small garlic clove, minced

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

1 1/2 pounds peeled colossal shrimp, 13-15 per pound

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Combine the tahini, 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, mayonnaise, water, harissa, juice, zest, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt in a medium bowl. Whisk until smooth.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until it shimmers but does not smoke. Toss the shrimp with the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in a bowl. Add 1/2 of the shrimp to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and repeat with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and shrimp. Serve drizzled with the sauce.

Tags:Course_Dinner, Course_Lunch, Cuisine_American, Cuisine_Middle Eastern, Ingredient_Fish & Seafood, Ingredient_Herbs, Season_Summer