This post was sponsored by ALDI as part of Influencer Activation for Influence Central. #TasteOfALDI #IC
I have a confession to make – I struggle with creating light meals that my entire family enjoys. As I mentioned many times before, my husband is a die-hard meat eater, very resistance to healthy changes, and not an adventurous foodie. And with four kids with different tastes in food, it can be a huge challenge to create affordable healthy meals that everyone will eat. Lucky for me, the new Southern California ALDI stores are helping me to prepare ‘better for you’ meals, like this Shrimp & Asparagus with Garlic & Parsley Pearl Couscous that won’t break the bank and satisfies my picky hubby.
If you haven’t heard about ALDI, head over and read my blog post, 5 Reasons Californians Should Shop at ALDI, where I highlight the main reasons I made the ALDI switch. Basically, ALDI has changed my mind about the way I shop. I used to think organic foods and products without artificial ingredients meant a higher grocery bill and were too expensive for my family of six budget. But ALDI has made it simple for me to make smarter food choices by stocking their shelves with 90% ALDI exclusive brands that are free from over 125 artificial ingredients and preservatives! I won’t find added MSG, certified synthetic colors, or partially hydrogenated oils in any ALDI exclusive brand. Plus, shopping at ALDI helps me save up to 50%* on my grocery bill, which means I can make seafood dishes, like this Shrimp & Asparagus with Garlic & Parsley Pearl Couscous, more often!
*Based upon a price comparison of comparable products sold at leading national retail grocery stores
During my various trips to ALDI, I had the opportunity to try several ALDI exclusive brands & products:
- SimplyNature® – product line which includes USDA Certified organic and Non-GMO verified items
- liveGfree® – gluten-free products
- USDA Choice meats and NeverAny! – products that are free from added antibiotics, hormones and animal by-products
All ALDI brands are regularly tested to taste as good, or better than national brands and using any ALDI product would make for a tasty meal. However, when I saw the fresh Americas Asparagus staring at me in the produce aisle, I squealed a little inside. I LOVE asparagus and couldn’t resist pairing it with Sea Queen Medium Easy Peel Raw Shrimp, fresh tomatoes, carrots, and Journey to Israel Garlic & Parsley Pearl Couscous for a lighter summer dish.
How to make Shrimp & Asparagus with Garlic & Parsley Pearl Couscous
First, head over to ALDI to pick up all your ingredients:
- 1 bag of Sea Queen Medium Easy Peel Raw Shrimp
- 1 bag of Americas Asparagus
- 2 boxes Journey to Israel Garlic & Parsley Pearl Couscous
- 1 sweet onion
- 1 bag of carrots
- 1 bag of garlic
- 1 bag of lemons (leftover lemons are great for Greek chicken)
- 1 Roma tomato or add two if you like
- 1 container PRIANO freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1 container Countryside Creamery Tastes Like Butter!
- salt & pepper
To start, prepare the shrimp by defrosting and peeling the shells off. Add them to a pan over medium heat with butter and garlic. Add salt/pepper to taste and cook for 3 -4 minutes, just until all the shrimp turn pink. Scoop out the shrimp and set aside. Leave any liquids from the shrimp in the pan to cook the vegetables. While the shrimp are cooking, start pearl couscous according to the package directions. Make sure to stir constantly to prevent the couscous from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Once the couscous is done, remove from the heat and set aside for later.
In the same pan that was used to cook the shrimp, add more butter, garlic, and onions. Cook the onions until translucent, then add the chopped asparagus. When the asparagus is fork tender, add the shredded carrots and cook until just softened. Add salt and pepper to taste. Immediately remove the vegetable mix from the heat and set aside with the chopped tomato for later.
Now that all the cooking is done, it’s time to put it all together. In a large bowl, add the pearl couscous, shrimp, cooked vegetables, chopped tomato, and shredded Parmesan cheese. Mix until all the ingredients are distributed evenly. Serve warm.
Now, grab a fork and dig in!
To find one of the 25 new Southern California ALDI store locations, visit the ALDI site or follow the ALDI USA Facebook page for new store grand opening announcements.
Shrimp & Asparagus with Garlic & Parsley Pearl Couscous
Print recipe
| Serves | 6 |
| Prep time | 35 minutes |
| Cook time | 20 minutes |
| Total time | 55 minutes |
| Meal type | Lunch, Main Dish, Side Dish |
| Misc | Serve Hot |
| Occasion | Casual Party, Formal Party |
Ingredients
- 2 - 5.9 oz. boxes Journey to...ISRAEL Garlic & Parsley Pearl Couscous (prepared to box instructions)
- 1 - 12 oz. bag frozen medium easy peel raw shrimp (shells removed and defrosted)
- 2 tablespoons butter or butter substitute
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup onion (chopped)
- 1 Medium carrot (shredded)
- 1 Roma tomato (chopped)
- 1 cup asparagus (chopped to 1 inch pieces)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (freshly shredded)
- 1 small lemon (zest only)
- salt
- pepper
Note
- Do not use processed Parmesan cheese in a bottle. This recipe taste best when freshly grated Parmesan cheese is used.
Directions
| Pearl Couscous | |
| Step 1 | |
| Prepare the pearl couscous according to the box instructions. Set aside. | |
| Shrimp | |
| Step 2 | |
| To a pan over medium heat, add 1 T. butter, 1/2 tsp. of minced garlic, and shrimp. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 3 - 4 minutes until all the shrimp are cooked and pink. Scoop the shrimp out of the pan and set aside, leaving any juices in the pan. | |
| Vegetables | |
| Step 3 | |
| To the same pan the shrimp was cooked, add 1 T. butter, 1/2 tsp. garlic, and onions. Cook onions until just translucent. Add asparagus and cook for 3 - 4 minutes or until the asparagus is fork tender. Add carrots and cook for another minute. Add salt/pepper to taste. Immediately remove from heat and set aside. | |
| Combine mix | |
| Step 4 | |
| In a large bowl, add the cooked pearl couscous, cooked vegetables, chopped tomato, shrimp, shredded Parmesan cheese, and the zest of a half of a small lemon, adding more zest if needed. Mix until all the ingredients are combined well. Serve warm. | |
What are your favorite summer fresh foods?
What a great recipe and so yummy! My kids would love it.
Seems like a tasty and healthy recipe… I love seafood.. My favorite is shrimp and Salmon…
Thanks!
This looks great! I haven’t been to Aldi in awhile I need to go back! Featuring you tomorrow on #P3Party!
Oh my! This looks so delicious! I love everything shrimp related!
Yummy! I love to try this! Unfortunately, my older son is allergic to shrimps. I may switch beefs, he loves beefs 🙂 I’ve pinned this so I can remember that 🙂
Omgosh this looks so good! I love that you can get everything you need to make it at Aldi! Love that store!
I love the texture of pearl couscous. Makes for something different. This recipe looks really tasty!
I don’t mind having an All-Aldi recipe, I’m with you when it comes to choosing names for my groceries. Thanks for sharing this!
We have an Aldi going up close to us. I’m excited to check it out!
I love the red and greens so festive looking and delicious! I can have this everyday
Omg, this recipe was really look amazing. Glad you share this recipe
This looks like a great summer dish! I will have to give it a try.
I have never tried couscous but this recipe looks easy and delicious! I shall have to give it a try 🙂
Oh my gosh! I’m literally sitting here drooling at my computer!
I love this recipe, I hope that I can make one. I like Pear Couscous.
This looks Fabulous! I can’t wait to try it 🙂
What a simple idea. CousCous is always something I avoid as it can be so bland. I may just try this.
I am not familiar with Couscous, looks like kernels of white corn. I will try this recipe.
Oh, this is new to me. I’ll try to make this recipe and hope that my son will love this.
Organic ingredients are the best to cook with especially when you’re trying to stay healthy! I love that Aldi has everything you need and that everything they sell is organic! That’s really awesome.
Thanks. Not everything at ALDI is organic, but they really try to help by offering a lot of organic items at the same cost as non-organic.
This looks amazing! I love couscous and shrimp. I’m going to have to give this a try 🙂
This recipe looks fantastic, I wanna eat some right now!!
This look lovely! I’m so hungry now. xx
That is an interesting recipe and while it is not for me, I know everyone has different tastes. I am going to pass it on to a friend who I think is going to love it. Thanks for sharing.
I love shrimp! This picture is making me drool.
Absolutely delicious! I love seafood during summer time. My favorite is salmon with mango salsa on top yum! I’m going to try your recipe, it’s mouth watering 😛
This looks yummy. You can tell I haven’t finished my morning coffee because I read the headline at first as “shrimp and aspergers.” right. On to my coffee, right?
That sounds delicious! I am sure my entire family would love this.
Erlene, I haven’t been to our Aldi store in a long time. I’m feeling a trip coming on. My daughter shops at Aldi every week!
It’s time for us to try couscous, your recipe sounds delicious!
You have an ALDI near you? I love this store and just went again yesterday 🙂