Family Meal Time -- Try This Delcious Gilroy Garlic Shrimp Dinner

Updated March 25, 2015.
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Tonight's dinner idea is super healthy and delicious. It features garlic shrimp, which is an excellent low-calorie protein source. Tangy cauliflower is the first side dish, along with some quinoa. For a salad, I've picked out a citrus kale salad. Each recipe for this meal serves four people and they're all found on the Food Channel at About.com:

Tonight's Entree - Gilroy Garlic Shrimp

I chose this recipe because shrimp is a low-calorie source of protein. It includes plenty of healthful garlic, and just a small amount of fat from butter and olive oil. This recipe comes from our American Foods Guide at About.com. It's easy to make, especially if you buy shrimp that's already peeled and deveined.

Side Dishes

Tangy cauliflower is a nice change from the typical cheese-laden version. Instead, the cauliflower is topped with a sweet and tangy sauce and mixed with colorful and red and green peppers. Cauliflower is a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables that are rich in phytochemicals and nutrients.

Peppers are low in calories and rich in vitamins and potassium.

The second side dish is quinoa, which is a protein and fiber-rich superfood from South America. Cook quinoa in plain water, or in broth if you want a little extra flavor. Serve your quinoa with a little salt and pepper; no other toppings are needed.

Add a Salad

I selected a kale salad for this meal because it's high in vitamins, minerals and fiber (it's another cruciferous veggie). Kale is much chewier than regular greens, which you may like. If not, prepare this salad about an hour before dinner time and put it in the refrigerator -- the acid from the orange and lime juices softens the leaves nicely.

Complete Your Meal

Serve this meal with whole grain bread (buy a loaf that you finish baking in the oven). Water is always a good choice for a healthy beverage, or you can serve low-fat milk, juice or even beer or wine. For dessert, make frozen grapes (one of my quick go-to picks for desserts and snacks).

Shopping List

Here's what you'll need to have on hand for tonight's meal:

large peeled and deveined shrimp
cauliflower
quinoa
lime
orange
kale
carrot
currents or raisins
tangerines
red and green bell peppers
Italian parsley
garlic
red wine vinegar
vegetable or chicken broth (or plain tap water is fine)
agave nectar (optional)
red seedless grapes
olive oil
sugar
butter
cayenne pepper
salt and pepper
low-fat milk, water or your favorite beverage
whole grain bread to finish baking in the oven

Meal Preparation Tips

Here's how I'd make this meal -- but if you have another method, that's fine. Wash and freeze the grapes any time (they need at least 30 minutes there). Keep the grapes frozen until you're ready to serve them. Start the salad and put it in the refrigerator, then make the quinoa. Once that's simmering, get going on the cauliflower, and you'll also need to start the shrimp. These recipes aren't difficult, but your stovetop will be in full use. Don't forget to warm the bread in the oven. Dessert is easy -- simply serve the grapes in nice dishes.