How to Cook Shrimp With Vegetables

Shrimp is a tasty seafood option that is also low in fat and calories. Adding shrimp to vegetables is a nutritious way to include protein in your meal as well. One of the most common ways to cook shrimp and vegetables together is in a stir-fry. Your stir-fry should include several types of vegetables, fresh shrimp and your choice of sauce. Served with steamed brown rice, shrimp with vegetables is a healthy way to increase your intake of fiber, protein, vitamin A and potassium.

Shrimp cooks very quickly, making it a convenient food even on busy evenings.Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images

Step 1

Heat the olive oil in a large wok set over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Add the onions, ginger and garlic and saute for three to four minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3

Add the carrots, celery, red bell pepper and snow peas. Saute the vegetables for seven to eight minutes, or until they are beginning to get soft.

Step 4

Add the raw shrimp to the wok and cover with a tight-fitting lid. Reduce the heat to medium low.

Step 5

Cook the shrimp with the vegetables for five minutes, or until the shrimp has turned bright pink in color.

Step 6

Whisk the dry sherry, soy sauce, cornstarch, sugar and sesame oil in a small bowl until well-incorporated.

Step 7

Pour the sauce over the shrimp and vegetables and heat for three to four minutes, or until bubbling and slightly thickened.

Step 8

Serve the shrimp with vegetables immediately over steamed rice.

Warnings

• Do not overcook your shrimp. It will get rubbery and lose much of its flavor.

Tips

• Use other vegetables, if desired. Zucchini, broccoli, corn, peas and mushrooms are all tasty and nutritious options to consider.
• If you do not want to make your own sauce, look for bottled options that are low in sodium.
• This recipe can be served over white or brown rice, but brown rice has more fiber than white rice. It can also be served with noodles.
• Add some chopped nuts for a boost of vitamin E and fiber. Cashews, almonds and peanuts all pair well with stir-fry recipes.

Things You'll Need

• Large wok
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1/2 cup of diced onion
• 4 tbsp. of fresh ginger, grated
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup of shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup of sliced celery
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 cup of snow peas, trimmed and cut in half
• 2 lbs. extra large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Small bowl
• Whisk
• 1/4 cup of dry sherry
• 1/4 cup of soy sauce
• 3 tbsp. of cornstarch
• 1 tbsp. of sugar
• 1 tbsp. of sesame oil

www.livestrong.com