So I’ve entered the swollen feet phase of my pregnancy. It’s about as glamorous as it sounds.
Last week when I was flying home from California, the side of my left foot got a little tickle mid-flight. I reached down to give my tootsie a scratch (sorry, TMI?) and, not being able to actually see my feet because the seat in front of me was approximately 3.5 inches away, I figured it was the bottom air vent causing the irritation.
Which, WHY do they always have those things blasting -15 degree air, might I add?
Anyway, the itching persisted and when I finally arrived home later that night I yanked up my pant legs to see what all the fuss was about. MARSHMALLOWS, people. My feet looked and felt like I had two giant slabs of squishy gel packs strapped to the top. Press on ’em, and oh! The dimple stays! The itching was caused by my skin expanding, and, well, that’s pretty much that.
Don’t even get me started on my cankles.
Since then I’ve become ace at putting my feet up, and have been trying to limit salt in my diet (save for the cough bag of classic Lays I just HAD to have last night.) I’ve also been adding lots of flavor to my meals using citrus, herbs, spices, and fresh fruits, like in Chili-Lime Shrimp Bowls with Black Bean-Mango Salasa, aka low-sodium magic in a bowl.
Fluffy cilantro-lime rice is topped with a homemade black-bean and fresh mango salsa then finished with sauteed shrimp that’s been marinated in chili powder, fresh lime juice, and a drizzle of honey. It is, da bomb.
I just loved the combo of hot rice, cold salsa, and sizzling shrimp, and the flavors of cilantro and lime swirled throughout the dish were unbelievably refreshing. They really set the stage for the smoky-tangy-sweet shrimp. This dish was awesome!
Start the Chili-Lime Shrimp Bowls by creating the chili-lime marinade for the shrimp. I almost want to call this a dressing instead, because you don’t need to marinate the shrimp for very long to get really great flavor. In a large bowl combine 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 Tablespoon honey, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder, the juice of 1 lime, and a dash of salt and pepper. (It is important to season every layer with a little bit of salt and pepper – but you don’t need much.)
Add 3/4lb peeled –> deveined jumbo shrimp (uncooked) then stash in the fridge while you get the rest of the dish ready.
Next make the Cilantro-Lime Rice which makes up the base of the bowl (pictures borrowed from my Black Bean Soup Recipe!) Bring 2 cups water, 1 Tablespoon vegetable oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a boil then add 1 cup long grain rice (I used jasmine) and cook until light and fluffy, about 15 minutes.
Add the juice of 1/2 a lime and 3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro then stir to combine and set aside.
FREAKING LOVE THIS STUFF!
Finally, assemble the Black-Bean Mango Salsa (my favorite part!) In a bowl combine 1 chopped mango (here’s how I chop a mango >>), 1-15oz can drained –> rinsed black beans, 1/4 chopped  small red onion, and 1/4 cup chopped cilantro.Â
Add 3 Tablespoons fresh lime juice, salt, and pepper, then toss everything together. Seriously, keep your spoon outta here or else you won’t have any left for the bowls. This salsa rocks!
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat then add the shrimp in 2 or 3 batches, cooking until no longer pink, about 2-3 minutes. I also added a splash of the marinade at the end to get that caramelized, sticky-sweet and smokey flavor from the honey and chili powder. Unbelievable!
Scoop the Cilantro-Lime Rice into bowls then top with Black Bean-Mango Salsa and the hot shrimp then dive in!
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Chili-Lime Shrimp Bowls with Black Bean-Mango Salsa
Description
Chili-Lime Shrimp Bowls with Black Bean-Mango Salsa are exploding with bright, bold, and zesty flavors. Fresh, fast, and fabulous any night of the week.Â
Ingredients
- For the Cilantro-Lime Rice
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 Tablespoon canola or vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- juice of 1/2 lime
- 3 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
- For the Black Bean-Mango Salsa
- 1-15oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 large mango, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 small red onion, minced
- 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice (about 1-1/2 limes)
- salt and pepper
- For the Chili-Lime Shrimp
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- juice of 1 lime
- salt and pepper
- 12oz (3/4lb) raw jumbo shrimp
Directions
- For the Cilantro-Lime Rice: Â Bring water, oil, and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Add rice, place a lid on top, then turn heat down to medium-low and simmer until rice is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir to fluff then add lime juice and chopped cilantro.
- For the Black Bean-Mango Salsa: Combine all ingredients together in a large bowl then stir to combine.
- For the Chili-Lime Shrimp: Whisk together all ingredients except shrimp in a large bowl then add shrimp and marinate for 10 minutes. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat then mist with olive oil or nonstick spray. Add shrimp, being careful not to crowd the pan (may need to do 2 batches,) along with a little of the marinade then saute until no longer pink in the center.
- Spoon rice into bowls then top with black bean-mango salsa and cooked shrimp.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Don’t be intimidated by the length of the ingredient list. Several items like cilantro and limes are used twice, and many of the ingredients are fridge and pantry staples. I was able to make this dish really quickly and easily. Plus you can make the Black Bean-Mango Salsa in advance as it just gets better and better as the flavors meld together in the fridge.
Hope you enjoy (and here’s to unswollen feet!)
Reny 05.23.2013
What a fantastic dish year round. I especially like the chili-lime rice too.
Lauren Williams 05.23.2013
Remember to keep the feet above your heart to decrease swelling ;) This post looks great, my husband would love the shrimp but I might have to substitute chicken instead!
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Rachel 05.22.2013
How do you get around the onion with the hubby? My hubby can’t handle the o-word on anything. Does it make a huge difference to leave them out?
Oh, and the cankles are here for the duration…but they do go back down. I promise!
Iowa Girl Eats 05.22.2013
I make a small portion without the onions for him. He is able to detect even the tiniest of onion crunch!
jules 05.22.2013
Advice you didn’t ask for (there’s always one, right): swollen feet are not a laughing matter when pg (she said, six kids later). I’m sure you know this, but in case you do not, be sure to tell your doc on the next visit (don’t recall how far along you are). That is all. And that dish looks DELISH! I am not the chef in my house, my husband is… but when I made a recipe from your website he couldn’t stop oooohing and aaaahhhhing. I’ve been a HUGE fan ever since. {wink}
Iowa Girl Eats 05.22.2013
No that’s ok – I appreciate it! I did mention it, and all is well. :)
J 05.22.2013
Just want to let you know (I’m an OB nurse) that swelling happens. If its around your eyes and face or hands, that’s as problem, feet are pretty much OK.
Looks great! Wouldn’t have thought of the mango/shrimp combo.
Nina @ Too Hottie For That Body 05.22.2013
Oh the glory days of fat feet, I remember it well. In other news this meal looks fabulous! It goes right up there on the crave scale… and I’m not even pregnant;)
Tieghan 05.22.2013
I LOVE these bowls!! The salsa sounds so so so good! Totally my thing! The shrimp? Also totally my thing and same goes for the rice!! Love this bowl!
P.S good luck with those feet! Hang in there!
Nicole Wyatt 05.22.2013
Your pregnancy brain has also made an appearance, several times the Cilantro-Lime Rice is listed as Chipotle-Lime Rice.
It gets better, I promise! :)
Iowa Girl Eats 05.22.2013
Bahahaha, omg, you would seriously be horrified at the amount of things I forget/mess up on a daily basis. Blarg! Thanks for the heads up! :)
Emily S 05.22.2013
for flights you DEFINITELY need compression “socks” (really, hose). very old lady sounding, but…I flew at 31 weeks cross-country and did.not.swell.at.all. A must!
Ja @Ja on the RUN 05.22.2013
I love cilantro and shrimps. Looks Yummy! I’m saving this tomorrow’s dinner. Thanks!
Have a safe pregnancy. :)
Jan @ Sprouts n Squats 05.22.2013
This recipe looks great! I’d have to make it sans beans as I can’t eat legumes but love the flavour combo ideas :)
koko 05.22.2013
What do you think about using pineapple instead of mango (allergic)?
Iowa Girl Eats 05.22.2013
That would be really good too!
LouiseA. 05.22.2013
Why, oh why, do you have to make everything look so dang good?!? Now, I have to go out and buy the ingredients to make this tomorrow :o)
Jessica H 05.22.2013
Be very careful! If a dimple stays in your skin after you press on it during pregnancy, you could have some problems. Please tell your doctor.
nessa 05.22.2013
That looks so good…feel better!
Jess 05.22.2013
Oh my do I love anything on top of that cilantro-lime rice! And I’ve got mangos coming out of my ears over here – love this combination! Keep putting those feet up – you deserve it. ;)
Andrea 05.22.2013
This looks so yummy! I love mexican inspired dishes:) and ps…I swelled up so bad when I was pregnant and if it’s any consolation, a day or two after you get home from the hospital your body will rid itself of all the excess fluid and you’ll be back to normal really quick:)
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl 05.22.2013
You just mixed shrimp, lime and black beans. You won my heart! This looks absolutely amazing, I know what I’m having for dinner soon.
jen 05.22.2013
we had shrimp for the first time in ages tonight. we agreed we should have it more often so i think i’ll add this recipe to the rotation.
swelling is the worst..i also get swollen pregnancy face towards the end of my pregnancies. probably my least favorite thing about being pregnant (that is of course prob b/c i have been blessed with really easy pregnancies..). i am not 4 weeks away from delivery and i officially have pregnant face. at least the 3rd time around i’ve come to accept it a little better :)
Connie Conlon 05.22.2013
How do you know when you are buying a good Mango? Should it be hard or squishy feeling? I am not having any luck picking a good Mango?
Iowa Girl Eats 05.22.2013
I usually press into the mango with my thumb. If it gives but is not mushy, then it’s usually good to go. That being said, I always buy one more than I think I’ll need because inevitably it will be the time that I just happen to pick a bad one!
melanie 05.22.2013
HA! that’s funny because I was justing noticing how many of your latest blog posts have pictures of your feet. Figured you were loving your toes now days! lol. You are still so tiny and it’s pretty envious!