Ingredients
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1 lb shrimp, medium to large, peeled and deveined
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1 pinch black pepper, to taste
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1 lemon
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4 tablespoons olive oil or 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
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4 medium garlic cloves, sliced thinly
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3/4 lb asparagus, tough ends snapped off and cut into 2 inch lengths (about 2 cups)
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1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
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2/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
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1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Place shrimp on paper towels and dry very well.
- Sprinkle shrimp with a bit of the pepper.
- Using a vegetable peeler, peel off strips of the lemon peel and then cut the strips into very thin long pieces; be sure to peel only the yellow part of the peel, not the bitter white part.
- Cut lemon in half and juice it into a small dish, removing seeds.
- Heat a deep 12 inch skillet (preferably NOT non-stick) over medium high heat for 1 minute.
- Add 2 Tbsp of the oil and heat until it's shimmering hot -- just a few seconds.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer and do not disturb it; let cook for about 2 minutes until browned.
- Turn shrimp over and brown the other side, about 1 1/2 minutes, then transfer to a plate. Shrimp should not be cooked through.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and add garlic, stirring for 30 seconds.
- Add asparagus, lemon zest strips, red pepper flakes and cook, stirring for 2-3 minutes.
- Add chicken broth and cover, simmering for 1-2 minutes until asparagus is almost done.
- Stir cornstarch with 1 Tbsp water and stir into the pan.
- Add shrimp back to the pan and cook another 1-2 minutes until done.
- Stir in 1 Tbsp lemon juice, then taste and add more juice and pepper if needed.