Chayas Chopped Salad Shrimp Recipes

CALIFORNIA-STYLE CHOPPED SALAD WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• For the salad: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. In a large bowl add the romaine lettuce, corn, zucchini, and shrimp and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill the romaine lettuce, turning occasionally, until crisp-tender and browned in spots, about 2 minutes. Coarsely chop the grilled lettuce and add it to a large salad bowl. Grill the corn and zucchini for 2 minutes on all sides until crisp-tender. Remove the kernels from the corn and add to the salad bowl. Chop the zucchini into 1/2-inch pieces and add to the bowl. Grill the shrimp until the meat is opaque and cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side. Cool slightly and cut into 1/2-inch pieces. Add the chopped shrimp, butter lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado to the bowl.
• For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil and agave nectar until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until all the ingredients are coated. Garnish the salad with tortilla strips and serve.

CHAYA'S CHOPPED SALAD (SHRIMP)

Steps:

• To prepare the dressing: Place the jalapenos on a rack set over a stove-top burner or on the grill and roast until charred on all sides. When cool enough to handle, peel and seed. In a blender, combine jalapenos, mayonnaise, lemon juice and 2 tablespoons olive oil; blend until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and chill until needed.
• To prepare the shrimp: In a small bowl, combine chili powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, cayenne pepper and celery seed powder to make a spice blend.
• Heat a saute pan over medium-high heat until hot, then add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add shrimp and sauté until slightly opaque, 1 - 2 minutes, then sprinkle the spice blend over the shrimp, shaking pan and continue cooking just until opaque. Remove from heat and set aside.
• To assemble the salad: In a large bowl, toss chopped romaine with the cucumber, avocado, corn kernels and sauteed shrimp. Add half the dressing and gently toss to coat. Add additional dressing, a couple of tablespoons at a time, to coat as desired.
• Divide the salad among 4 plates; top each with 1 tablespoon cheese, 4 halved tomatoes and 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro. Serve immediately.
• Note: For the celery seed powder, grind celery seeds in a spice or coffee grinder, or use a mortar and pestle.

SALAD OF THE GODDESSES WITH POACHED SHRIMP

Steps:

• For the shrimp: In a large saucepan, combine 2 1/2 quarts water with the salt, red pepper flakes, black peppercorns, garlic, bay leaves, lime and parsley. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and allow the liquid to cool for a few minutes (dropping shrimp in hot, but not boiling, water yields more tender shrimp). Prepare and clean the shrimp by running a small, sharp knife down the length of the shrimps and removing the dark vein. Add the shrimp to the poaching liquid and allow them to sit and steep in the liquid, off the heat. (Cooking the shrimp in the shell yields more flavor.) Leave for about 5 minutes until they are cooked through and completely pink. Use a slotted spoon, or spider, and remove the shrimp and drain well. Refrigerate until cool, and then peel and discard the shells before serving with the salad.
• For the dressing: Combine the mayonnaise, sour cream, basil, parsley, green onions, lemon juice, anchovy paste and garlic in a food processor and puree. Thin with water as required, using only 2 tablespoons at a time. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
• For the salad: Wash the lettuces and roughly chop the romaine hearts. Tear the Bibb lettuce leaves into bite-size pieces. Cut the cucumber lengthwise down the middle, and then slice in 1/4-inch slices on the bias. Toss the salad ingredients together with the shaved red onion, pepperoncinis, green onions, bell peppers and cucumber. Top with the shrimp. Dress lightly with the dressing.

SHRIMP, CUCUMBER, AND WATERMELON SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk olive oil, mint, honey, lemon zest, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice together in a small bowl. Set dressing aside.
• Lightly dredge shrimp in blackened seasoning.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in batches and cook until they are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
• Use a spiralizer to create cucumber "noodles." Divide among 4 bowls. Top each with watermelon, avocado, feta cheese, and shrimp. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

MEDITERRANEAN CHOPPED SALAD WITH SHRIMP AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, add the lettuce, shrimp, cucumber, chickpeas, onion, Feta, olives, and pita chips to the oil and vinegar.
• Add 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper, and toss.

COLD SHRIMP SALAD

Steps:

• Place shrimp in a large mixing bowl with red and green bell peppers, garlic, onion, cilantro, and avocado. Drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop. Serve chilled.