Sauteed Spicy Shrimp, Butternut Squash and Peppers
Simple. Healthy. Quick. Delicious.
Here’s one of the dishes I like to make while training for running events or endurance runs to my office.
Let me be honest with you guys: I created this dish while depressed and trying to hold myself accountable to eating while training. When my anxiety is up, I find myself stress eating or full-blown avoidance. After getting diagnosed with ADHD and acknowledging that I don’t have a conventional work schedule, I knew I’d have to find a way to prioritize eating on a regular basis without overthinking. Did I mention that I was training for a half marathon when I came up with this dish? I made so much that this lunch idea shifted into dinner.
What You Need
Ingredients
4 cups butternut squash, small dice
2 cup red peppers, medium dice
1 cup onions, medium dice
1/2 pound baby shrimp, deveined, cleaned, tail off
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili paste
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon thyme (or sprig or two of fresh thyme)
1/3 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
chopped scallions for garnish
1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
1/2 cup tomato sauce (optional)
2 tablespoons olive oil
The Rundown
Heat a saute pan on medium fire. Pour 1 tablespoon of oil in the pan. Add in butternut squash, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, ground sage and thyme. Move around in pan for 5 minutes to prevent sticking or over browning. Turn down heat to low. Add in onions and peppers. Saute items for an additional 8 - 10 minutes until butternut squash is softened but still firm.
Drizzle remaining oil directly on shrimp. Season lightly with a dash of salt and pepper. Push butternut squash mixture to one side of the pan. Add shrimp to the same pan. Baby shrimp cooks within 1 - 2 minutes. Mix ingredients together once close to done. Add in chili paste and incorporate into entire dish. Drizzle lemon or lime juice to mixture. If you desire more of a pop in taste, fold in tomato sauce. Once fully incorporated, pull off of heat and pair with your favorite pasta or rice.
Happy eatings!
