Coral Reef Shrimp Citrus (Printable)

Tender shrimp and citrus accented with Gruyère cheese, creating a vibrant, colorful main dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Seafood

01 - 1.1 lb large pink shrimp, peeled and deveined

→ Citrus

02 - 2 medium oranges, segmented
03 - 1 tsp orange zest
04 - 1 small pink grapefruit, segmented
05 - Juice of 1 lemon

→ Cheeses

06 - 4 oz Gruyère cheese, grated
07 - 1.7 oz ricotta cheese

→ Vegetables & Garnish

08 - 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced into ribbons
09 - 1 small carrot, julienned
10 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
11 - 1 tbsp fresh dill, torn

→ Pantry

12 - 2 tbsp olive oil
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven broiler to high heat.
02 - In a bowl, toss shrimp with 1 tablespoon olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Heat a skillet over medium-high heat; sauté shrimp for 2 minutes on each side until just cooked through. Set aside.
04 - Gently toss orange and grapefruit segments with orange zest and a pinch of salt in a separate bowl.
05 - Steam zucchini ribbons and julienned carrot for 1 to 2 minutes until just tender. Arrange them on a serving platter to create the coral base.
06 - Nestle sautéed shrimp and citrus segments among the steamed vegetables, layering to evoke a colorful coral reef.
07 - Evenly sprinkle grated Gruyère over the arrangement, then dot with small spoonfuls of ricotta cheese.
08 - Place the platter under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese bubbles and develops a light golden brown color.
09 - Remove from broiler; garnish with chopped chives and torn dill. Drizzle with remaining olive oil and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It comes together in 35 minutes but looks like you've been cooking all day.
  • The warm melted cheese against cool citrus is a flavor combination that keeps surprising you with every bite.
  • You can prep most of it ahead and just broil it when guests arrive, making you feel calm instead of rushed.
02 -
  • Shrimp overcooks in seconds—the moment they turn from translucent to opaque pink, they're done; any longer and you'll be eating something rubbery that no cheese can save.
  • The broiler is fast and unforgiving, so hover nearby and watch through the window; melted cheese can go from golden to burnt in the time it takes to look away.
03 -
  • Invest in a good vegetable peeler for the zucchini ribbons—it makes the difference between delicate and shaggy, and it's a task you'll want to repeat on other dishes.
  • If your broiler runs hot, tent the platter with foil for the first minute to keep the vegetables from drying out while the cheese catches up.
Go Back