Why it works: Tomato and basil are a kitchen classic. They rank in the top 1% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 3,979 recipes. Both carry 3-hexenal, which smells apple, fruity. The science ↓
Summertime Shrimp and Rice Bowls
Ingredients
Directions
Prepare the shrimp
Thread shrimp on skewers.
Place skewers on a broiler rack coated with cooking spray.
Brush shrimp with oil reserved from tomatoes.
Cook the shrimp
Broil shrimp 4 to 5 inches from heat for 4 minutes.
Brush shrimp with reserved oil from tomatoes.
Cook skewered shrimp over hot coals for 4 minutes.
Turn shrimp and brush with additional oil.
Grill shrimp 4 to 5 minutes or until done.
Assemble and serve
In a large bowl, combine rice, corn, tomatoes, cheese, basil, and salt.
Spoon the mixture into individual bowls.
Top rice with shrimp.
Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)
What these numbers assume: 12 portions
| Ingredient | Portion assumed | kcal |
|---|---|---|
| Rice | 1 cup cooked (158g) white | 206 |
| Olive Oil | 1 tbsp (14g) | 119 |
| Cheese | 1 oz (28g) cheddar | 113 |
| Cheddar Cheese | 1 oz (28g) | 113 |
| Parmesan Cheese | 1 oz (28g) | 110 |
| Shrimp | 100g cooked | 99 |
| Cottage Cheese | 1/2 cup (113g) 2% | 98 |
| Egg | 1 large egg (50g) | 78 |
| Corn | 1/2 cup kernels (82g) | 77 |
| Tomato | 1 medium (123g) | 22 |
| Basil | 5 leaves fresh (2.5g) | 1 |
| Salt | 1 tsp (6g) | 0 |
One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.
Steps grouped into stages for easier reading; the method is the source's own.
Explore the science
The flavor team
The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.
-
Tomato + basiltop 1% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together3,979 recipes
Shared aroma: 3-hexenal (apple, fruity).
-
Cheese + cottage cheesetop 3% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together126 recipes
Shared aroma: ethyl 2-methylbutyrate (fruity, apple).
-
Rice + corntop 5% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together933 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).
-
Corn + tomatotop 6% of all pairsSmell alikestrongCooked together2,099 recipes
Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).
-
Corn + basiltop 6% of all pairsSmell alikemoderateCooked together263 recipes
Shared aroma: estragole (anise, licorice).
Ranks compare each pair with 20,000 random ingredient pairs on CompKitchen. How we score pairs
What each ingredient does
- Shrimp
- Cooks quickly to a firm, tender texture and provides the main protein.
- Rice
- Forms the base of the bowl and soaks up the juices and oil.
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Add tangy, concentrated flavor and oil that moistens the shrimp.
- Cheddar cheese
- Melts and adds rich, savory flavor to the bowl.
- Cottage cheese
- Adds moisture and a creamy texture.
- Basil
- Adds fresh, aromatic herb flavor.
The step that matters
Timing the shrimp. Shrimp proteins tighten quickly when overcooked, turning rubbery. Cook only until the flesh turns opaque and firm, since residual heat keeps cooking it after it leaves the heat.
Swap the basil
How well each one fits the dish's main ingredients (shrimp, rice, corn, tomato, cheese, egg, cottage cheese):
- Dillfits about as well
- Corianderfits about as well
- Garlicfits about as well
- Basilthe original
Fit is the average pairing score against shrimp, rice, corn, tomato, cheese, egg, cottage cheese. Candidates are from the same food group and used in at least 100 recipes.
“What each ingredient does” and “The step that matters” were written by Claude from this recipe’s own method and reviewed in samples by CompKitchen.
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