Impress Guests with Grilled Almond Shrimp

Whether it's Paella or Cioppino, one sure way to impress a table of guests is to bring out a platter of whole seafood. These grilled whole shrimp are no exception. Seasoned with garlic, smoked paprika and olive oil before being grilled, they're finished with a sauce made of oil-roasted almonds.

Briny, nutty and sweet, with a satisfying crunch, this grilled shrimp has an array of complementary flavors and contrasting textures that will keep you reaching back for more. Aside from presenting well, It's great for dinner parties because you can prep the shrimp ahead of time, leaving you with only a few minutes of grilling before the shrimp can be served.

By frying the almonds until they're golden brown, they release a marvelously nutty flavor into the oil, which pairs well with the sweet, smoky shrimp. I like the rustic look and crunchy texture of lightly crushing them with a rolling pin, but if you want the dish to look more refined you can chop them into more uniform-sized pieces.

If you can't find good head-on shrimp, or don't care about the presentation, you can make this with fully shelled shrimp and it will taste almost as good. If you've put your grill away for the year, you can also "grill" the shrimp on a wire rack in an oven set to broil.