Grilled Shrimp Packets with Basil, Garlic and Red Curry Compound Butter

Author Notes

One of the oldie but goodies I like to prepare as a side dish when we entertain is Grilled Shrimp Packets. Dot some shrimp with herbed compound butter in a foil packet, throw it on a grill, and in about ten minutes, you have an instant crowd pleaser. It works so well as a side or an appetizer, but it can also be a great main course. Serve it with a hunk of good, crusty bread, and it is the ideal midweek meal.

You can, of course, customize compound butter in so many different ways; this version echoes Thai flavors. The shrimp soaks up the rich basil and curry flavors as it steams in its foil packet, emitting juices just right for bread dipping. For some extra kick, it is hard to resist spiking each bite with a dot of Sriracha Sauce. - kitchen confidante —Liren Baker

Test Kitchen Notes

We had a lovely dinner of Shrimp with Basil, Garlic and Red Curry Compound Butter despite finding out too late we were out of gas for the grill. The compound butter was a breeze and came together in a less than five minutes. Another few minutes for the shrimp to saute in the compound butter and we were home free. The compound butter is lovely and would be great on all kinds of seafood. I might add a bit more basil — I used Thai — and cilantro next time but it was very flavorful as is. I'm positive it would have been even more delicious if I had been able to grill it in the foil packets as it would have been even more saucy from the steaming action but the gods weren't on my side. I'd definitely make this again and I recommend you do the same — minus the mishaps, of course! - melissav —The Editors