Honey Nut Shrimp with Green Beans

 

It seems like I played with this recipe years ago.  But it was only earlier in 2020, so that sounds about right.  I saw this recipe for Honey Walnut Shrimp from EatingWell and played with it.  I liked how it came out and I expect that we will be making it again and again as a simple, but elegant dinner.  This is great served with rice or noddles or just by itself.  If you are serving it with rice, it can feed four.  Without rice, it becomes two nice sized portions (with maybe a bit left over for lunch down the road).

Ingredients (serves 3-4):

2 tbsp Water
2 tbsp Brown sugar
1/2 to 2/3 cup Walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped
1 lbs Shrimp (large size, peeled and deveined)
1 tsp Honey

1/2 tsp Chinese five-spice blend

1/2 tsp Sesame oil
3 tbsp Olive oil, divided

8 oz Green beans, trimmed
1 tbsp Mayonnaise
1 tbsp Lemon juice

1 tbsp Soy sauce
1/2 tsp Black pepper, ground

1/4 tsp Kosher salt
½ cup sliced scallions

Directions

1. Bring water and brown sugar to a simmer in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat; cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 2-3 minutes. 
2. Stir in walnuts or pecans; cook, stirring often, until the sugar is golden and caramelized, about 2-3 minutes. 
3. Spread the walnuts evenly on a parchment paper-lined plate. Wipe out the pan.
4. Add 1 tbsp Olive oil and heat for a around 30 seconds.  Add the green beans and saute for around 3-4 minutes.  Remove and add to the shrimp mixture. 
5. Stir shrimp, honey, Chinese five-spice blend, sesame oil, and 1 tablespoon oil together in a bowl. Return the skillet to medium-high heat. Add the shrimp mixture; cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are well browned and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat. 
6. In a separate bowl, Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, soy sauce, pepper, salt and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small bowl and wisk until blended, add to the shrimp mixture in the pan, stirring to coat. 
7. Sprinkle with the caramelized walnuts and scallions. If desired, serve with rice.