Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Garlic-Lemon Marinade

Ingredients

• Wooden skewers (10-12, soaked in water for 30 minutes)
• Salt (1 teaspoon, or to taste)
• Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon, or to taste)
• Fresh parsley (1/4 cup, finely chopped)
• Olive oil (1/3 cup)
• Lemon juice (1/4 cup, freshly squeezed)
• Garlic (4 cloves, finely minced)
• Large shrimp (1 pound, peeled and deveined)

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to create the marinade.
2. Add the shrimp to the bowl and toss to ensure each shrimp is well-coated with the marinade. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour for a deeper flavor infusion.
3. While the shrimp is marinating, soak the wooden skewers in water to prevent them from burning on the grill.
4. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. If you're using a charcoal grill, the coals should be evenly covered with grey ash.
5. Thread the marinated shrimp onto the soaked skewers, piercing each shrimp near the tail and near the head.
6. Grill the shrimp skewers for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Avoid overcooking as shrimp can become rubbery if overdone.
7. Serve the grilled shrimp skewers immediately, garnished with a sprinkle of extra chopped parsley and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice if desired. These make a perfect pairing with a crisp, green salad and warm, crusty bread.