Easy Shrimp Harissa and Tomato Skillet | Weeknights are busy. Let’s be honest life is busy. Running around, errands, work, and then you have to eat. If you are looking for a quick and easy dinner that is different and has a little kick I suggest you try this Easy Shrimp and Spicy Tomato Skillet
What is Harissa?
The heat for this easy shrimp skillet comes from the harissa. Harissa is a condiment that is starting to gain popularity. If you’re a fan of spicy food you may already know about harissa and if not you need it in your life.
Harissa is a North African hot chili pepper paste. It is made of roasted red peppers, Baklouti pepper, serrano pepper, and other chili peppers. The peppers and pureed with a combination of spices and herbs like garlic, coriander, saffron, and olive oil. Harissa recipes will vary depending on the region. Some recipes include lemon juice and fermented aromatics or tomato paste.
What is a Baklouti Pepper?
A true authentic harissa recipe is made with Baklouti pepper. Baklouti pepper is a pepper from Tunisia. It is a large red pepper that is long and tapered. It is a hot pepper with 1,000 to 5,000 Scoville Units that get milder with cooking. It is used in many North African dishes and is a great hot pepper for roasting and drying.
Where to Buy Harissa?
As the popularity of harissa rises it is easier to find at local grocery stores. It can be found at many grocery stores with hot sauces or in the international foods aisle.
There are two types of harissa that can be found at grocery stores. One is sold in a tube and is a paste, the other is sold in a jar and resembles a salsa. In my area, the jarred harissa is what I find in grocery stores. The paste in a tube is more potent and requires less than the jarred sala type. For this easy shrimp skillet, I used the jarred salsa type.
Easy Shrimp Harissa and Tomato Skillet Shopping List
- extra virgin olive oil
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1 small red onion
- garlic
- 1 small can or tube tomato paste
- red wine vinegar
- kosher salt
- harissa
- 1 1/2 lb large shrimp
- fresh parsley
- 1 loaf of crusty bread
Easy Skillet Recipes
Skillet recipes are a great way to easily and quickly get dinner on the table with a minimum dishes. I love skillet recipes! If you’re craving Mexican you must try my Roasted Poblano Chicken Enchiladas Skillet. Do you want a light healthy Italian chicken skillet? You’ll love my Easy Weeknight Italian Chicken Skillet.
One of my personal favorites is my Skillet Chicken and Potatoes with Mushrooms. It’s an easy, savory, and comforting dish. Are you looking for an easy skillet meal packed full of flavor and spices? You must add my Baked Chicken Shawarma Skillet to your must make list. I also have Chicken Shawarma Wraps that are great for easy make-ahead lunch and dinner.
How to Cook with Harissa
Harissa can be used much like a hot sauce. I added it to this easy shrimp skillet to give it a little kick. Add it to your eggs, salad, stew, or add it to sauces. I love to add it to soups and stews like my Moroccan Lamb Stew with Harissa and Garbanzos. If you can’t find harissa at the grocery store try my Harissa Dry Spice. I especially love to use this rubbed on grilled proteins such as my Harissa Whole Grilled Chicken
More great and easy ways to use harissa
- mixed into burger patties
- dipping sauces
- vegetable glaze
- in rubs
- on chicken wings
How to Make Easy Shrimp and Spicy Tomato Skillet
- Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Cook tomatoes until they begin to blister and split, tossing occasionally, about 10 mins.
- Using tongs or the back of a spoon pop the tomatoes. Add garlic, sauté until fragrant and tomatoes have released their juices, about 3 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and harissa. Mix until well combined and saucy. If you like your food with a little more spice you can add more harissa to taste.
- Add shrimp and parsley, sauté until shrimp is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Serve with crusty bread, pasta, or polenta. Garnish with fresh parsley.
How to Serve Easy Shrimp Harissa and Tomato Skillet
I will typically serve this dish with a loaf of crusty bread much like how I serve Shakshuka. It is also great tossed with pasta, served with a side of rice, over a bowl of creamy grits, or with warm pita bread.
more spicy love
Easy Shrimp and Spicy Tomato Skillet
If you like food that is saucy, spicy and takes 20 minutes to make you will love this skillet. Large shrimp are sautéd in a harissa spiced tomato sauce and served with crusty bread. This harissa and tomato shrimp is also great to toss in pasta or served over polenta.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pints cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon harissa
- 1 1/2 lb large shrimp, deveined and peeled
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil, red onion, and cherry tomatoes. Cook tomatoes until they begin to blister and split, tossing occasionally, about 10 mins.
- Using tongs or the back of a spoon pop the tomatoes. Add garlic, sauté until fragrant and tomatoes have released their juices, about 3 minutes.
- Add tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and harissa. Mix until well combined and saucy. If you like your food with a little more spice you can add more harissa to taste.
- Add shrimp and parsley, sauté until shrimp is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
- Serve with crusty bread, pasta, or polenta. Garnish with fresh parsley.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1 servingAmount Per Serving: Calories: 210Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 239mgSodium: 1210mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 27g
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