Grilled Seafood with Asparagus and Sun Dried Tomatoes: A Simple Paleo Style Dinner

Some of my favorite meals are the simplest ones. Last night we fired up the outside grill for shrimp and scallops, sautéed fresh asparagus on the stove, and pulled the whole plate together with a sun dried tomato puree. It took very little effort, and it was one of the best dinners we have had in a while. This dish is a great example of how I like to eat in the evening: protein forward, full of vegetables, and lighter on carbs. If you have been looking for an easy way to start eating paleo style at dinner, this is a wonderful place to begin.

Why I Keep My Dinners Paleo Style

Most of us are far less active in the evening than we are during the day. We finish work, sit down for dinner, and wind down for the night. Because of that, I like my evening meal to center on protein and vegetables and go lighter on bread, pasta, and other starches.

Paleo style eating does not have to be complicated or strict. For me it simply means building the plate around whole foods: a quality protein, plenty of vegetables, and healthy fats. In this recipe, the sourdough on the side is optional. We enjoyed a slice for dipping, but if you are keeping things strictly paleo, simply leave it out.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

For the seafood:

  • 8 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 6 sea scallops
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the asparagus:

  • 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A squeeze of fresh lemon juice

For the sun dried tomato puree:

  • ½ cup sun dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
  • A splash of the oil from the jar

On the side (optional):

  • Sourdough bread for dipping

Method

  1. Grill the seafood. Toss the shrimp and scallops with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill over medium high heat until the shrimp turn pink and the scallops are golden on the outside, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Finish with a little butter just before you take them off the grill.
  2. Sauté the asparagus. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the asparagus with salt and pepper and cook until bright green and just tender. Add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end. The lemon cuts through the natural bitterness of asparagus and brightens the whole dish.
  3. Make the puree. Blend the sun dried tomatoes with a splash of their oil until smooth. Add a little more oil if you want a looser texture.
  4. Plate and serve. Spoon the puree over the asparagus, arrange the seafood alongside, and serve with sourdough for dipping if you like.


The Health Benefits on This Plate

Lean protein. Shrimp and scallops are naturally lean and provide selenium and vitamin B12. Protein helps you feel satisfied after a meal and supports lean muscle, as Leidy and colleagues described in a 2015 review in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Gut friendly fiber. Asparagus provides folate along with prebiotic fiber, the kind that feeds the healthy bacteria in your gut. Slavin outlined the role of fiber and prebiotics in digestive health in a 2013 review in Nutrients.

Antioxidant support. Sun dried tomatoes are a concentrated source of lycopene, an antioxidant carotenoid. Pairing them with olive oil matters more than you might think. A 2004 study by Brown and colleagues in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that carotenoids are absorbed far better when they are eaten with fat.

Healthy fats. Olive oil adds monounsaturated fats and helps your body make the most of the nutrients in the vegetables on your plate.

Keep It Simple

Healthy eating does not need to be complicated. A few quality ingredients, a hot grill, and a little planning can give you a dinner that is nourishing, satisfying, and easy on your evening routine. Try this one on a busy weeknight and see how good you feel going to bed without that heavy, overly full feeling.

Please consult your physician for dietary recommendations.

To see me as a private patient, contact the office. Call 915-585-1300, visit www.vitalitymdwellness.com, or stop by 1309 Montana Ave, El Paso, TX 79902.

Wishing you a wealth of health,

Dr. Michelle Mendoza, MD Board Certified Internal Medicine and Integrative Medicine

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