Shrimp look pretty with tomato in tail

Grilling shrimp is a delicious way to cook them. But don’t just toss shrimp on the grill (unless they’re huge) because they could fall through the grates. A better way is to skewer them so they cook evenly and they’re easier to tend to. When preparing the shrimp, remove all but the tail of the shell which makes a nice presentation.

Today’s recipe is geared toward an appetizer serving, but you can load up more shrimp on the skewers for a main-dish serving. The time-consuming part about today’s recipe is peeling the shrimp and skewering them. The rest is easy. These also look pretty with cherry tomatoes tightly tucked in the belly of the shrimp.

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Serves: 6. Preparation time: 20 minutes. Total time: 35 minutes.

Thread the shrimp on the skewers, alternating with other ingredients as desired. Adapted from Bon Appetit magazine, June 2010 issue.

3/4 cup olive oil

4 large garlic cloves, peeled, pressed

2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme

5 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 tablespoon sherry wine vinegar or white wine vinegar

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

12 uncooked extra-large shrimp (13 to 15 per pound), peeled, deveined

12 cherry tomatoes

12 2-layer sections of red onion wedges, optional

6 long wooden or metal skewers

Nonstick vegetable oil spray

In a medium bowl, whisk the oil, garlic, thyme, smoked paprika, wine vinegar, salt, black pepper and crushed red pepper in medium bowl to use as the glaze. Transfer half to a small bowl and reserve.

Alternately thread shrimp, cherry tomatoes and sections of onion wedges if using on each of 6 long skewers. Arrange skewers on large rimmed baking sheet. The skewers can be made up to 6 hours in advance. Cover and chill skewers and glaze separately.

Coat grill rack with nonstick spray and prepare the grill for medium-high heat. Brush skewers on both sides with glaze. Grill until shrimp are opaque in center, turning and brushing occasionally with more glaze, 6 to 8 minutes.

Arrange skewers on platter. Serve with remaining bowl of glaze.