SPICY SHRIMP SKEWERS

This is a great summer dish -  it is full of flavour and spice, simple to make and it grilles up in just a matter of minutes! Great for a party or family dinner alike, but if your crowd likes the shrimp like mine does, be prepared to double the recipe! Perfect on their own and equally delicious over rice or polenta, alongside grilled vegetables, in a salad or even tacos!

And now I'm hungry again...

Here is what you need:

1 1/2 pounds shrimp, peeled and cleaned (I used size 21-25)

1/2 tablespoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)

3/4 tablespoon smoked paprika

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

3 cloves garlic, chopped finely

3 tablespoons olive oil

5 tablespoons vodka

juice of 1/2 lemon

zest of 1 lemon

1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

freshly ground pepper

3-4 sprigs parsley, chopped

1/2 cup fish or chicken stock

to serve:

lemon wedges

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients except shrimp and stock. Mix well and add the shrimp. Toss to coat, cover with plastic wrap and let marinate for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, soak wooden skewers in water and preheat grill to medium-high.

Thread shrimp onto skewers, 4 to 5 on each.

Do NOT discard the remaining marinade. Place it in a small saucepan, together with the stock, and reduce over medium heat until concentrated, about 4-5 minutes, adding a bit more stock if necessary. (There won't be a lot of it, but it has great flavour.)

Grill shrimp for about 2 minutes per side, or until opaque.

Spoon reduced marinade over cooked shrimp and serve right away with lemon wedges.

(I made it into a dinner by serving shrimp over simple risotto and a side of salad)