Ingredients

  • Coarse salt
  • 1 bunch asparagus (about 1 pound), trimmed
  • 1 cup jasmine rice
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons toasted sesame chile oil
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 pound rock shrimp, peeled
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 1 tablespoon freshly grated lemon zes

Method

  • Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside.
  • Bring a medium pot of water to a boil; add a large pinch of salt.
  • Blanch the asparagus until bright green and tender, about 3 minutes.
  • Immediately transfer with tongs to the ice-water bath to stop the cooking.
  • Drain well; pat dry.
  • Cut the spears on the diagonal into thin pieces; set aside.
  • Bring the rice and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
  • Cover, and reduce heat to medium-low.
  • Simmer until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender, about 10 minutes; set aside.
  • Heat the sesame and olive oils in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
  • Add the shrimp; stir to coat.
  • Stir in the lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper; cook until the shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 3 minutes.
  • Stir the shrimp, rice, asparagus, and almonds in a large bowl.
  • Garnish with lemon zest.