Garlic Chili Basil Shrimp – Happy Brain Food

In my last post we were discussing how shrimp and cholesterol is good for the brain. I wanted to elaborate on this a bit more. While your brain represents about 2-3% of your total body weight, 25% of the cholesterol in your body is found in your brain, where it plays important roles in such things as membrane function, acts as an antioxidant, and serves as the raw material from which we are able to make things like progesterone, estrogen, cortisol, testosterone and even vitamin D. The reason that cholesterol is vitally important for brain function is that the brain thrives on a fat-rich, low-carbohydrate diet. Cholesterol actually promotes neurogenesis (the birth of new brain cells) and communication between neurons, to the degree that studies have shown that higher levels of serum cholesterol correlates to more robust cognitive prowess.

It is no wonder that our brain signals utter satisfaction and burst of indulgent flavors in our mouth when we bite into shrimp. The brain needs it and gets happy to have it! I have totally been hankering for shrimp lately…. must be my brain needing some replenishment, so here is another easy yet tasty recipe.

Garlic Chili Basil Shrimp

Ingredients

1/2 lb. Large Jumbo Shrimp (about 6 to 8 pieces)

2 Tablespoons Butter

1 Tablespoon of Finely Chopped Garlic

½ Teaspoon of Red Chili Pepper Flakes

½ Teaspoon Kosher Salt

½ Teaspoon Fresh Ground Black Pepper

1 Teaspoon Finely Chopped Basil

Method

Prepare the cleaned and deveined shrimp by sprinkling with black pepper and salt making sure that it is well seasoned.

In a Sauté pan melt the butter over medium heat, then add the garlic and cook until it softens. Add the red chili flakes to the pan.

Add the shrimp and cook each side until it is pink. Garnish with the basil while the shrimp is still in the pan.

Serve the shrimp immediately with butter, garlic, chili, basil, mixture drizzled on top.