Moroccan Shrimp With Pomegranate Sauce

Spiced shrimp and gloriously rich red pomegranate sauce make even the most regular of parties glam! I'm getting ready for a Golden Globes viewing party this weekend and decided I wanted even the food to be celeb-worthy. I've decided on a mix of apps, snacks and treats. Stay tuned the next few days for the full menu.

Shrimp as appetizers is kind of the perfect food. It's usually one to two bites, you can flavor it a million different ways, and it can be served hot or not. With Moroccan spices it pairs well with a lemony, caramely pomegranate sauce.

Pomegranate molasses is a hidden treasure. In it's simplest form it is just reduced pomegranate juice. You can purchase it at Middle Eastern markets, but it's often hard to find, so I like to make my own.

I use it for steak and poultry sauces, vinaigrette, drizzling on roasted vegetables and swizzling into mixed drinks. It adds a bright, tangy and rich sweet flavor. When I make my own I don't bother juicing my own pomegranates, that's just messy! I use pomegranate juice from the grocery! I also add a little sugar and lemon to balance the flavors and help my molasses last longer in the fridge.

It ends up being the most extraordinary dipping sauce for my Moroccan shrimp. This is such a classy dish and great for apps while entertaining, but with salad and some crusty bread, makes a great weeknight meal as well. I piled my little apps of shrimp on top of arugula for my party platter, but that's just a pretty option.

Moroccan Shrimp With Pomegranate Sauce

Tara Teaspoon

This delicately spiced seafood dish works well as a main course or a glam starter.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 30 mins

Cook Time 45 mins

Total Time 1 hr

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Servings 10 servings

Calories 45 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 qt pomegranate juice
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined, with tails
• ¾ tsp ground cumin
• ¾ tsp ground coriander
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¾ tsp kosher salt
• 1½ tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups (4 oz) baby arugula

Instructions

 

• In a pot over high heat, stir together pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice until sugar dissolves. Boil until liquid thickens and is reduced to 1 cup, about 45 min.
• Meanwhile, toss shrimp with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, salt and olive oil and stir to coat.
• In a bowl, toss arugula with extra lemon juice and olive oil if desired. Place on a platter.
• Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook 2 min per side until pink and opaque; place on top of arugula. Pour sauce in a small dish for dipping.

Notes

Pomegranate molasses is a hidden treasure. In it's simplest form it is just reduced pomegranate juice. You can purchase it at Middle Eastern markets, but it's often hard to find, so I like to make my own.

Nutrition

Calories: 45kcalFat: 1g

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Recipe by Tara Teaspoon

I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes and food styling for magazines, books, television and advertising. Find out more about me!

Recipe Tara Bench & Vanessa Seder
Originally published in Ladies' Home Journal Apr 2009
Photography Miki Dusterhof
Food Styling Jee Levin
Prop Styling Pamela Duncan Silver