Vietnamese Caramel Shrimp & Zucchini Bowls
Savory-sweet Vietnamese caramel shrimp and peak-summer Washington zucchini come together in a fast skillet dinner over fragrant jasmine rice.
Ingredients
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Kroger® Wild Caught Large Raw Gulf Shrimp Peeled & Deveined Tail Off12 oz $7.00
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Zucchini12 oz $1.29
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Mahatma Thai Fragrant Jasmine Rice, Uncooked Rice3/4 cup $4.99
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Ginger Root2 teaspoons grated $4.99
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Garlic2 cloves $0.99
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Green Onions3 green onions $1.50
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Water1 1/4 cups
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Brown sugar1 tablespoon
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Fish sauce1 tablespoon
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Rice vinegar1 tablespoon
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Neutral cooking oil2 tablespoons
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Kosher salt1/4 teaspoon
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Ground black pepper1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
- Pat 12 ounces shrimp dry; cut 12 ounces zucchini into 1/2-inch half-moons, mince 2 garlic cloves, grate 2 teaspoons ginger, and thinly slice 3 green onions, keeping 1 green onion separate for serving.
- Combine 3/4 cup jasmine rice and 1 1/8 cups water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes; remove from the heat and rest, covered, for 5 minutes while preparing the skillet ingredients.
- Stir together 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper in a small bowl.
- Heat 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 ounces prepared zucchini and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, then sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until browned but still crisp; transfer the 12 ounces zucchini to a plate.
- Heat 1 tablespoon neutral cooking oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add 12 ounces prepared shrimp in one layer and sauté for 1 minute per side; add 2 minced garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons grated ginger, and 2 sliced green onions, then cook for 30 seconds.
- Pour the prepared sauce made with 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon fish sauce, 1 tablespoon rice vinegar, 2 tablespoons water, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper over the 12 ounces shrimp. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes, then fold in 12 ounces sautéed zucchini and cook for 1 minute, until the shrimp are opaque and reach 145°F.
- Divide the cooked 3/4 cup jasmine rice between two bowls, top with all of the caramel shrimp and zucchini, and finish with 1 sliced green onion.
Total time: 35 minutes
Estimated cost: About $10–$12 for 2 servings using sale prices and pantry staples
Health notes: About 570 calories and 40 grams of protein per serving, with zucchini adding fiber and vitamin C.
Drink pairing: An off-dry Riesling balances the fish sauce’s savory depth and the caramel glaze’s sweetness.