Sweet, Spicy & Super Yummy Marinated Shrimp

I'm sure glad I found this photo of the sweet and spicy shrimp that was served at my wedding in June 2008. I took pictures of the shrimp yesterday, but my pics really didn't do it any justice. I didn't want to photograph it outside in natural light because it was SO hot yesterday. Also, my photographer/husband was at work, so it was me behind the camera....

The marinated shrimp is super yummy. This is another recipe that has been passed down to me from my mother. I have served this shrimp at wedding showers and baby showers, and it is always a hit. It was also a hit at the wedding! 

It's a great appetizer, but it also serves well as a meal if you add your favorite veggies or other sides. We had it last night and the night before with Caribbean-style corn and carrot and oat rolls. YUM. 

I love the flavor of this shrimp. Greg says it's the best shrimp dish he has ever had, because it is marinated so well that it doesn't even taste like seafood! The marinated shrimp is really easy to make and requires barely any prep time - but since it has to marinate, it needs to be made several hours ahead of time before serving. But, once it finishes marinating, you're done - all you need to do is sprinkle with some salt and pepper! Enjoy.

Recipe for Sweet, Spicy & Super Yummy Marinated Shrimp

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds of easy peel & deveined raw frozen shrimp

1 large lemon, sliced and divided

Old Bay Seasoning

1 cup of red wine vinegar

1 jalapeno, coarsely chopped, seeded & deveined (leave seeds for more heat)

1 1/2 Tbsp. of dried onion flakes

1 1/2 tsp. of garlic powder

1/3 cup of granulated sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Bring a large  pot of water to boil. Once it boils, add in half of the lemon slices and some sprinkles of Old Bay seasoning. Add in the shrimp and cook according to package directions.

Once the shrimp is finished cooking, remove the lemon slices and drain the shrimp in a colander. Immediately rinse with very cold water. Set aside.

While shrimp is cooling, make the marinade. Add the red wine vinegar, garlic powder, onion flakes, jalapeno slices, remaining lemon slices, and sugar to a small pot. Put the pot over medium heat and stir occasionally until the mixture becomes hot and sugar fully dissolves, about 3 - 4 minutes. Remove pot from heat and set aside to cool.

While marinade is cooling, shell the shrimp. Make sure excess water is drained from the shrimp before shelling. Put the fully shelled shrimp into a large bowl.

Remove the lemon slices from the marinade. Pour the marinade over the shrimp in the large bowl. Add in the cilantro. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss everything together. Cover the bowl with a lid, shake the bowl, and put into the fridge for at least 8 hours.

When ready to serve, sprinkle the shrimp with a little bit of extra salt and pepper. Remove the jalapeno pepper pieces if desired (I of course left them in). Serve as an appetizer or as a meal with your favorite sides.

Recipe Adapted from: All Recipes

The marinated shrimp reminded me of my wedding day!
My mom made the wedding cake + several more cakes...

NOTE:

If the shrimp is served at a party where guests will be serving themselves, make sure to bring it out immediately before the food line opens. If it needs to sit out for more than 15 minutes, put it on ice.