Running shrimp under the broiler is a lightning-fast path to dinner

One of my favorite ways to prepare shrimp is to slip them onto a sheet pan and run them under the broiler. It is lickety-split fast, giving me more time to spend on fussier sides.

How much seasoning the shrimp get before going under the heat depends heavily on the quality of the crustaceans.

When I was living in New Orleans, I could easily get my hands on inexpensive, fresh-from-the-Gulf shrimp. They are plump and sweet. This is especially true because I am married to a guy from "down the bayou" and, at this time of year, local fishermen are hauling in their catch.

If you can find fresh Gulf shrimp, buy them. (Check the Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch website or app for information on sustainable sources.)

These days, however, more often I rely on convenient frozen shrimp, and those may require a bit of futzing - extra garlic, another sprinkle of dried herbs, a splash of hot sauce - to get them where I want them.

The basics are the same though. I do the whole thing on the sheet pan: Peel the shrimp, leaving on the tail shell to protect that thinner part of the flesh. Then place them on the sheet pan and toss them with a little fat and seasonings. Then, run the whole thing under the broiler.

Even the larger ones, which I prefer for broiling, are done in less than 5 minutes. What else can you say that about?

This week, I whisked olive oil with cane syrup and Sriracha, and then sprinkled the shrimp with minced garlic, Creole seasoning, pepper flakes and sweet paprika. For that fussy side, I adapted a Milk Street recipe of raw, shaved zucchini salad tossed with fresh mint and basil in a light vinaigrette.

Broiled shrimp may be the most adaptable recipe ever. You can browse through your dry spices and create your own mix. Make them spicy or mild. Try rubbing the shrimp with gochujang, the Korean chili paste. Toss them with melted butter, lemon and parsley - maybe add a little fresh grated ginger for zip.

No matter what I do, I usually finish them with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Broiled Shrimp With Shaved Zucchini and Pecan Salad

For the shrimp

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil or your oil of choice, plus more for greasing the pan

1 tablespoon cane syrup

1 teaspoon Sriracha

1½ pounds peeled/deveined tail-on shrimp (16-20 count), defrosted if frozen

3 large cloves garlic, minced or finely grated

2 teaspoons Creole seasoning, or to taste

½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or to taste

½ teaspoon sweet paprika

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

For the salad

1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (about 2 lemons)

3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, or oil of your choice

2 teaspoons cane syrup

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 pound zucchini (2 medium)

½ cup lightly packed mint leaves, torn

½ cup lightly packed basil leaves, torn

¼ cup pecans, toasted and coarsely chopped, plus more for garnish if desired

Shaved Parmesan cheese (optional)

For the shrimp: Set the oven rack 5 to 6 inches from broiler and turn on the broiler.

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, cane syrup and Sriracha. Grease a rimmed baking sheet with a little oil. Place the shrimp on the baking sheet and pour the oil mixture over them. Sprinkle with the garlic, Creole seasoning, pepper flakes and paprika and toss, using your hands, until well coated. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer.

Broil 3 to 4 minutes, until the shrimp are opaque and just turning a bit brown on top. (If unsure, cut one shrimp open; it should be opaque throughout.) Do not flip. Sprinkle the lemon juice over the shrimp and toss to combine. Transfer shrimp to a platter. Using a rubber spatula, scrape any bits or juices from the pan. Add to the shrimp and set aside.

For the salad: In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon zest and juice, oil, syrup, salt and pepper.

Using a Y-peeler or mandolin, shave the zucchini from top to bottom into thin ribbons, rotating the zucchini as you go. Stop shaving when you reach the seeded core. Discard the cores.

When ready to serve, whisk the dressing, then add the shaved zucchini, mint, basil and pecans and gently toss until evenly coated.

Serve the shrimp and salad separately; or transfer the salad to a platter, top with the broiled shrimp and pan drippings and sprinkle with additional pecans and cheese, if using.

Serves 4

Nutrition: Calories: 442; Total Fat: 32 g; Saturated Fat: 4 g; Cholesterol: 214 mg; Sodium: 1668 mg; Carbohydrates: 14 g; Dietary Fiber: 2 g; Sugars: 9 g; Protein: 26 g.

The salad recipe is adapted from "Milk Street Tuesday Nights," by Christopher Kimball (Little, Brown and Co., 2018). The shrimp recipe is from Washington Post recipe editor Ann Maloney.