A stunning high-impact plate with a pile of vibrant jumbo shrimp tossed in red chili paste splayed over a bed of golden quinoa. The side is adorned by a mound of juicy cucumber-blueberry salad with purple-blue tones, topped with dainty mint leaves. The plate is finished with a scattering of crunchy toasted almonds and sesame seeds, giving the dish a multi-dimensional feel.

Spiced Shrimp and Quinoa with Blueberry-Cucumber Salad

Name: Spiced Shrimp and Quinoa with Blueberry-Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: Blueberries, 1 cup fresh; Cucumber, 2 medium-sized, diced; White Quinoa, 1 cup uncooked; Shrimp, 1kg jumbo, peeled and deveined; Red Thai Chili Paste, 3 tablespoons None; Fish Sauce, 2 tablespoons None; Lime, 2 juiced; Mint Leaves, A handful chopped; White Wine Vinegar, 2 tablespoons None; Almonds, 1/4 cup chopped and toasted; Sesame Seeds, 2 tablespoons toasted; Olive Oil, 3 tablespoons None; Salt, To taste None

Category Main Course

Prep 15 minutes

Cook 20 minutes

Style Fusion

Technique Boiling

Diet Friendly High Protein

Daily Recipe: July 10, 2025

This dish is a fine blend of east meets west, combining the sweetness of native summer blueberries with audacious Thai chili and spices. Versatile quinoa, which brings its wholesome nuttiness, and shrimp, a seafood favorite, play the base to this flavor-packed main course. With a surprising element of cucumber and blueberry salad, there is nothing predictable about this dish.

Ingredients (for 4)

Blueberries - 1 cup - fresh
Cucumber - 2 - medium-sized, diced
White quinoa - 1 cup - uncooked
Shrimp - 1kg - jumbo, peeled and deveined
Red thai chili paste - 3 tablespoons
Fish sauce - 2 tablespoons
Lime - 2 - juiced
Mint leaves - A handful - chopped
White wine vinegar - 2 tablespoons
Almonds - 1/4 cup - chopped and toasted
Sesame seeds - 2 tablespoons - toasted
Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
Salt - To taste

Preparation

Step 1 - 🔵🥒🍃

Combine blueberries, cucumber, mint, white wine vinegar, a tablespoon of olive oil, and salt to taste in a bow. Refrigerate the salad while preparing the main dish.
Step 2 - 🍚

Cook quinoa according to the instructions on the packet. Set aside when done.
Step 3 - 🍤

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Add shrimp and stir until they turn pink.
Step 4 - 🌶️

In the skillet, stir in the red Thai chili paste and cook for another minute.
Step 5 - 🥢

Finish your shrimp by drizzling them with fish sauce and lime juice.
Step 6 - 🍽️

Serve the shrimp on a bed of the fluffy quinoa, garnishing with toasted almonds and sesame seeds.
Step 7 - 🥗

Serve your chilled blueberry and cucumber salad on the side.

Additional

This dish can easily be adjusted according to preference. Substitute the shrimp for chicken or tofu for a different take on this fusion main. Incorporate kiwi or mango for additional tropical flair. Kids can definitely help with the salad and toasting the nuts and seeds. A gluten-free version can be achieved using tamari sauce instead of the fish sauce.