Mod Ozzfest 2013 -- King Prawn Salad with Peas, Asparagus, and Sweet Almond Dressing

(This recipe accompanies Naked Vine New Year 2013 -- A Taste of Australia.)

• 1 lb. king prawns (big freshwater shrimp)
• 1 red onion, cut into wedges
• 1 bunch asparagus, trimmed
• 1 c. frozen peas
• 4 c. rocket (also known as arugula)
• Sweet Almond Dressing

Light your grill. Preheat oven to 425. Toss red onion wedges with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Roast until soft and starting to caramelize, stirring a couple of times -- about 10-15 minutes.

Toss asparagus with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Grill until crisp-tender and slightly charred -- 5 minutes.

Shell prawns. Toss with salt, pepper, and olive oil. Thread on skewers and grill until cooked through -- 2-3 minutes per side.

Blanch peas by dropping into boiling water for 30 seconds. Immediately drain and rinse with cold water.

Cut asparagus on the diagonal into 3-4" pieces. Toss rocket, peas, onion, and asparagus with dressing. Remove prawns from skewers and arrange on top. Season with salt and pepper as desired.

Simple Decadence (Roasted Shrimp with Thyme and Rosemary)

Made this tonight, paired with a Muscadet. Such an easy recipe for wonderful gustatory bliss. Seriously. If you're a shellfish fan at all, try this recipe.

Unfortunately, I've got no pictures of this meal -- but we can flash back to 1990 and relive the glory that was Extreme. Shred, Nuno! Shred!

• 1 1/2 lb. large shrimp (preferably peel & eat)
• 1/3 c. olive oil
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 6 springs fresh thyme
• salt & ground pepper
• 1 1/2 tbsp. white wine vinegar

Preheat oven to 400. Add oil to a baking pan. Add thyme, rosemary, and 1 tsp. pepper. Stir to coat herbs. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes or until fragrant. (Your kitchen will smell fantastic, by the way.)

Remove pan from oven. Add shrimp. Stir to coat. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until shrimp are pink and firm.

Sprinkle cooked shrimp with salt. Add vinegar and stir to coat again. Let stand for 5 minutes.

Serve with crusty bread. Reserve liquid for dipping.

That's it. Chow down.