It’s no secret that everyone likes having their shrimp retain as much flavor as possible, but unhealthy eating can lead to health complications.
And cream, cheese, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes are some reasons you may love Tuscan shrimp, a combination that seems not-so-healthy.
While Italy’s cuisine is unrivaled in its cheesy dishes, you cannot deny that most are pretty rich in calories.
So, the best solution is to rely on side dishes.
This article discusses what to serve with Tuscan shrimp, so your meals can get healthier but still delicious.
Why Consider Serving Side Dishes for Tuscan Shrimps?
Tuscan shrimp is loaded with comforting flavors and is high in dairy (and calories).
So, side dishes must deliver complementary flavors and nutrients to make your meal healthier.
While you can replace the ingredients with low-calorie alternatives, doing so may not preserve the authentic flavor.
As such, side dishes prove helpful in making your meals diverse yet rounded.
With a good set of side dishes, you can balance all aspects of your eating experience and have no unpleasant aftertaste lingering on your palate.
What to Serve with Tuscan Shrimps? 10 BEST Side Dishes
Fruits, veggies, and meats can make suitable side dishes for Tuscan shrimp.
Here are ten of our favorites for you to get inspired by.
1 – Radish Soup with Tofu
Cooking with radish is exciting; it has crunchy elements, antioxidants, and minerals.
In addition, its mild bitterness is an exciting flavor to pair with the creamy Tuscan shrimp.
You can add tofu cubes to the soup to make it more palatable for everyone.
Tofu will provide a decent amount of plant protein and add more texture to the soup.
Seasonings like scallions, chili flakes, and black pepper help bring out more flavor in this side dish.
They also help tone down the bitterness of radish and enhance the tofu’s taste.
2 – Fish Tacos
If you prefer seafood to complement the creamy crunch of Tuscan shrimp, consider fish tacos.
They’re a fun way to add similar accents to your meal without having one flavor overwhelm the other.
Fish tacos have a brilliant mixture of flavors.
You have everything from fish’s mild sweetness to lemon juice’s refreshing tanginess.
And they’re all wrapped in the chewy goodness of tortillas.
What’s not to love?
To make the tacos even better, consider grilling the fillets before combining them with e other ingredients; it’ll add pleasant charr and aroma.
3 – Persimmon Beet Salad
One of Asia’s most celebrated autumnal fruits is persimmon; it has become a worldwide sensation because of its vibrant color, juicy texture, and satisfying sweetness.
But that’s not all; the fruit contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
And when you pair them with astringent or slightly bitter food like beets, you get a combination of flavors that enliven your palate.
Use shredded feta as a garnish to bring all the ingredients together; it’ll give the extra tang to refresh your palate.
4 – Zucchini Pasta Salad
Pasta has a special place in our hearts and meal plans.
But most of us know it isn’t the healthiest food choice when considering carbs and gluten content.
So make the difference by switching out the core ingredient; make zucchini noodles.
Zucchini noodles (zoodles) are just spiralized zucchini cooked similarly to regular pasta.
It is low-carb, gluten-free, and a healthier way to eat your favorite food.
You’ve likely guessed it, but zucchini noodles taste like vegetables.
So if you’re reminiscing about regular pasta, consider adding a rich sauce and some shredded meat.
It’ll make a great side dish to enjoy during summer when these squashes are in plenty.
5 – Grilled Pineapple Chicken Kabobs
Pineapples and summer meal prep are a must.
They’re a great way to add fiber to your meals while cleansing your plate.
So if you’ve always struggled with creating recipes for these juicy and refreshing fruits, grill them; you’ll be amazed by how different it feels.
Grill them with chunks of chicken breasts to make it even more exciting.
Since chicken will take a lot longer to cook, you might want to precook the meat or use leftovers for the kabobs.
6 – Pickled Lotus Root
Lotus root, also called renkon, is a healthy addition to your diet.
It helps with digestion and can aid with health loss.
When you pickle renkon in a seasoned vinegar solution, its starchy and sweet flavors transform into a tangy and spicy goodness that lingers on your palate and refreshes it.
Lotus root has more fiber, calcium, vitamin C, phosphorus, and potassium than potatoes and can make a great substitute for potatoes.
Besides being a healthy dish, the flower-like appearance of lotus roots enhances the visual appeal of your meal; it is a must when impressing guests matters.
7 – Bacon-Wrapped Peppers
These bacon-wrapped treats are extremely fun to dip when you have a creamy sauce; they are just perfect for Tuscan shrimp.
All you need are jalapeño peppers (or any other pepper of your preference), bacon strips, and seasonings.
This dish can be an appetizer for dinner or a side for lunch; it all depends on how you plan the other components in your meal.
Since combining these bacon-wrapped peppers takes only a few minutes, don’t be afraid to make a large batch of them.
After all, no one can say no to deliciously savory bacon sides.
The peppers provide a decent amount of heat, while the bacon adds savory and fatty accents.
8 – Apple Salad with Capers
You can never go wrong with making an apple salad to serve alongside a shrimp dish.
The fruit’s fiber and phytochemicals help break down the other components in your meal better, meaning fewer chances for an unpleasant after-meal experience.
For this side dish, make a regular apple salad with a mix of greens and colorful veggies, but garnish with capers.
Apples are sweet, tart, and crunchy, just enough to refresh your palate between each bite of the cheesy shrimp.
Capers are bitter and salty like olives but with unique floral elements.
Pair the two flavors, and you’ll have a sweet, salty, and tart salad that’s nothing less than a perfect palate cleanser.
9 – Sausage Egg Casserole
Here’s a quick breakfast option you can create using all your leftovers from the night before.
It has meat, eggs, and cheese and complements the crunchy and creamy shrimp.
You only need sausage, eggs, bread, and cheese to create this deliciously cheesy treat rich in plant and animal protein.
It has enough protein, carbs, and fat to keep you satiated for long hours, so be sure to save it for busy days.
Best of all, most of the work is for the oven, so you don’t have another thing to worry about on hurried mornings.
10 – Avocado Kimchi Rice
Avocadoes are a kitchen staple, and there are uncountable ways to use them.
So, why not add it to kimchi rice? It’ll be a delightful concoction of spicy and earthy flavors.
Adding vibrant, green slices of avocadoes to this fiery-red, savory kimchi rice brings a contrast of colors, textures, and taste.
But the contrast helps balance the overall flavor profile of your meal.
Since most kimchi recipes contain fish sauce, their umami flavors are an excellent way to introduce more seafood accents to your Tuscan shrimp meal.
Meanwhile, the rice makes the dish more filling so that its function doesn’t simply end with gratifying our palates.
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