Zesty Lemon Shrimp Salad with Arugula

This is one of those salads that comes together while the kettle boils. The dressing is just lemon juice, olive oil, a splash of white wine vinegar, and black pepper, shaken in a jar or whisked in a bowl, so you can taste and adjust it before it touches the greens. I like to make a little extra and keep it in the fridge for a few days, since it loosens up nicely if you give it a good shake.

Arugula is the reason this dish tastes like more than it is. It has a peppery bite that comes from natural compounds in the leaf, and that sharpness plays well against the mild sweetness of shrimp. Pick the youngest leaves you can find, because they are tender and less fibrous. If the bunch looks wilted, give it a cold-water soak and spin it dry before you start. Dry leaves hold dressing better, and a wet salad turns watery on the plate within minutes.

Shrimp are a lean, quick protein, which makes them a natural fit for a weeknight plate. Most shrimp sold as "cooked" are already pink and curled, so the job here is really just warming them if you like, or letting them come to room temperature. Don't overcook them if you are reheating. Rubbery shrimp are the most common disappointment with this kind of salad.

The shaved Parmesan and toasted pine nuts add salt and crunch. Toast the pine nuts in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes, shaking often, because they go from golden to bitter very fast. Shave the cheese with a vegetable peeler so it melts a little into the warm shrimp.

If you want a fuller meal, this salad sits well next to a bowl of Pesto Salmon Salad with Wheat Berries for a lunch spread, or alongside Golden Seared Scallops over Vegetable Ribbons when you want something that feels like a special dinner. For a warm option that uses similar flavors, try Simmered Shrimp with Arugula Yogurt Pesto.

Leftovers are best kept separate. Store the shrimp, greens, and dressing in different containers, and assemble just before eating. Undressed arugula keeps a day or two in a paper towel lined box in the fridge.