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Fire-Grilled Sumac Shrimp with Blistered Peach-Urfa Relish over Creamy Pistachio Tahini

Fire-Grilled Sumac Shrimp with Blistered Peach-Urfa Relish over Creamy Pistachio Tahini

Plump wild shrimp marinated in earthy sumac and garlic are kiss-grilled over open flames, served atop a vibrant pistachio-boosted tahini and crowned with charred summer peaches, tart pomegranate arils, and showers of fresh herbs.

Yael Mizrahi
Yael Mizrahi
Prep: 25 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
4
medium
appetizer
grillingseafoodmezzesummer

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Timeline

30 minutes
0m10m20m30m
Marinate Shrimp
Make Pistachio Tahini
Prep Grill & Peaches
Fire-Grill Peaches & Shrimp
Chop Fire Relish
Plate & Garnish

Ingredients

  • 1.5 lbs Large wild shrimp (peeled & deveined, tail-on)(Look for 16-20 count shrimp)
  • 1.5 tbsp Ground sumac(Provides a bright, tart, lemony kick)
  • 5 cloves Garlic cloves(3 finely grated for marinade, 2 crushed for tahini)
  • 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil(Divided for marinade, grilling peaches, and finishing)
  • 1 tsp Urfa biber or Aleppo pepper flakes(Adds smoky, dried-fruit heat)
  • 2 whole Ripe peaches or nectarines(Halved and pitted; firm enough to hold up on the grill)
  • 0.5 cup Raw shelled pistachios(Lightly toasted)
  • 0.5 cup Raw sesame tahini paste(Well-stirred, good quality nutty tahini)
  • 0.33 cup Fresh lemon juice(Divided)
  • 0.33 cup Ice water(Essential for whipping tahini into silk)
  • 1 tbsp Pomegranate molasses(Deep, tangy sweetness)
  • 0.25 whole Red onion(Finely diced)
  • 0.5 cup Fresh mint leaves(Roughly chopped)
  • 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro(Roughly chopped)
  • 0.33 cup Fresh pomegranate arils(For brilliant jewel-toned crunch)
  • 1 tsp Flaky sea salt(Plus extra to finish)

Instructions

  1. 1

    In a medium bowl, combine 1.5 lbs Large wild shrimp (peeled & deveined, tail-on), 1.5 tbsp Ground sumac, 3 grated 5 Garlic cloves, 2 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp Urfa biber or Aleppo pepper flakes, and 0.5 tsp Flaky sea salt. Toss gently to coat every shrimp completely and set aside at room temperature to absorb those wild spices while you build the sauces.

    10 min

    Tip: Don't let acidic marinades sit on shrimp for more than 20-30 minutes total, or the texture will turn soft.

  2. 2

    In a food processor, pulse 0.5 cup Raw shelled pistachios until coarsely ground. Add 0.5 cup Raw sesame tahini paste, 2 crushed 5 Garlic cloves, 0.25 cup Fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 tsp Flaky sea salt. Blend until thick and paste-like. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in 0.33 cup Ice water until the mixture transforms into a brilliant, pale green, velvet-smooth cream. Adjust salt if needed.

    10 min

    Tip: Ice water is the secret weapon for silkiness! If the tahini seizes at first, keep blending and adding a splash more ice water.

  3. 3

    Preheat your open-fire grill or charcoal grill to high, intense heat. Thread marinated shrimp onto metal skewers. Brush cut sides of 2 whole Ripe peaches or nectarines with 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil.

    5 min

    Tip: If using wooden skewers, soak them in water beforehand so they don't catch fire over the open embers.

  4. 4

    Place peach halves cut-side down directly over the coals for 3-4 minutes until deeply caramelized and blistered. At the same time, lay shrimp skewers across the grate. Grill shrimp for 2 minutes per side until charred on the outside and barely opaque in the center. Remove everything from the heat immediately.

    5 min

    Tip: High heat and rapid cooking keep the shrimp succulent rather than rubbery. That open-fire smoke is magic here.

  5. 5

    Dice charred peaches into bite-sized pieces and toss in a small bowl with 0.25 whole Red onion, 1 tbsp Pomegranate molasses, remaining 0.08 cup Fresh lemon juice, half of 0.5 cup Fresh mint leaves, and half of 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro.

    5 min

    Tip: Taste the relish—it should strike a gorgeous balance between sweet fruit, fire-char, tart juice, and herb brightness.

  6. 6

    Spoon lush pistachio tahini onto a wide shallow platter, using the back of a spoon to create deep swirls. Arrange fire-grilled shrimp skewers across the tahini, spoon blistered peach relish over the top, then shower generously with remaining 0.5 cup Fresh mint leaves, 0.5 cup Fresh cilantro, 0.33 cup Fresh pomegranate arils, and a final drizzle of 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil.

    5 min

    Tip: Serve immediately while the shrimp are still hot from the coals and the tahini is cool and luscious.

Chef's Notes

Mezze spreads are all about contrast: hot off the grill paired with cool, velvety bases; sweet blistered fruit against sharp lemon and garlic; and endless showers of leafy green herbs. This dish brings back memories of late August evenings sitting by open hearths, where simple sweet shrimp absorb the rich aroma of hardwood smoke in just minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Fire-Grilled Sumac Shrimp with Blistered Peach-Urfa Relish over Creamy Pistachio Tahini take to make?

Fire-Grilled Sumac Shrimp with Blistered Peach-Urfa Relish over Creamy Pistachio Tahini takes about 35 minutes total. That includes 25 minutes of prep and 10 minutes of cooking.

How many servings does this recipe make?

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What skill level is needed for Fire-Grilled Sumac Shrimp with Blistered Peach-Urfa Relish over Creamy Pistachio Tahini?

This recipe is rated medium — it's intermediate, requiring some cooking experience.

What ingredients do I need for Fire-Grilled Sumac Shrimp with Blistered Peach-Urfa Relish over Creamy Pistachio Tahini?

The main ingredients are: Large wild shrimp (peeled & deveined, tail-on), Ground sumac, Garlic cloves, Extra virgin olive oil, Urfa biber or Aleppo pepper flakes, Ripe peaches or nectarines, Raw shelled pistachios, Raw sesame tahini paste, Fresh lemon juice, Ice water, Pomegranate molasses, Red onion, Fresh mint leaves, Fresh cilantro, Fresh pomegranate arils, Flaky sea salt.

What type of meal is Fire-Grilled Sumac Shrimp with Blistered Peach-Urfa Relish over Creamy Pistachio Tahini?

Fire-Grilled Sumac Shrimp with Blistered Peach-Urfa Relish over Creamy Pistachio Tahini is categorized as: appetizer.