Coconut Shrimp Recipe

4 oz Wild Shrimp, cleaned.

2 oz shredded, unsweetened coconut.

2 tsp coconut oil.

2 tbsp cilantro, chopped.

Directions

Heat coconut oil over medium-high heat until pan is coated.

Place shrimp into the hot pan.

Sear on one side until turning slightly opaque, then quickly turn shrimp over to sear other side.

Sprinkle the coconut flakes over the shrimp and toss a few times until coconut flakes are browning, but not burning.

Serve shrimp with cilantro sprinkled over top.

Health Benefits

Coconut:

Coconuts (and their oil and meat) are very high in nutrients such as molybdenum, selenium, and zinc. Most importantly, they contain the medium chain fatty acids lauric acid and capric acid, both of which have been shown to convert to beneficial compounds in the body that act as antivirals, antibacterial, and antiprotozoals that get rid of a wide variety of disease-causing organisms. Coconut oil is also cardioprotective and produces fewer white fat cells than (long chain vegetable oil) safflower oil (Murray & Pizzorno, 2005). Coconut is also delicious!

Cilantro:

Cilantro is a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A, and an excellent source of Vitamin K (whfoods.org).  It is also contains a wide variety of phytonutrients, almost too many to count! Cilantro is also known for its anti-inflammatory  properties as well as its cholesterol lowering effects (Murray & Pizzorno, 2005).  Additionally, cilantro helps the body eliminate mercury.

Shrimp:

Shrimp, like other fish and shellfish, have been shown to be highly beneficial for protecting against heart disease, and others (Murray & Pizzorno, 2005). They are high in protein, B12, and selenium, however, the highest benefits seem to come from their high omega 3 fat levels, which has been found to protect against inflammation and CVD. Shrimp are also high in sterols which, in studies, have shown to also be anti-inflammatory, as well as raise HDL cholesterol, while only modestly raising LDL cholesterol leading to no significant increase in LDL and keeping the ratios of total cholesterol in check.