SHRIMP TACOS WITH JICAMA-MANGO SALSA

Posted in Pizzas & Small Dishes, Seafood by sallybr

We’ve had quite a few days with warm temperatures and that undeniable vibe of spring. This is a perfect light meal for the upcoming season. Simple, refreshing, full of flavors and textures. Make the salsa a few hours ahead if you have a chance.

SHRIMP TACOS WITH JICAMA-MANGO SALSA
(from the Bewitching Kitchen)

for the salsa:
1 mango, peeled and cut into cubes
half a jicama, peeled and cut into small dice
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
1 large jalapeños, seeded, deveined and finely minced
juice of half a lime
drizzle of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

for the shrimp:
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 quart water
1/4 cup salt
1/4 cup sugar
juice of half a lime
1 tablespoon grape seed oil
2 teaspoons chipotle chili powder
1 teaspoon oregano
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste (go easy on salt, as the shrimp will be brined)

to serve:
tortillas, taco shells, guacamole, Cotija cheese

For mango salsa, combine mango, jicama, tomatoes, and jalapeño in a bowl. Add the lime juice, olive oil, and season to taste with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for a couple of yours if you have the time.

Prepare a mild brining solution mixing 1 quart water with 1/4 cup kosher salt and 1/4 cup sugar, plus the juice of half a lemon. Submerge the shrimp in the solution for about 20 minutes. Remove shrimp from brine, rinse briefly and dry on paper towels.

In a small bowl, mix together chipotle, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper until evenly mixed. Sprinkle over shrimp, rubbing on both sides. Heat the oil on a large nonstick skillet, when really hot add the seasoned shrimp in a single layer. Cook until shrimp are opaque and sides are browned. Cut the cooked shrimp into pieces for serving, if you like, or leave them whole.

Arrange the shrimp inside tacos or over tortillas, spoon the salsa, and if desired, add guacamole and Cotija cheese.

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

Comments: This salsa is a winner. Make it, serve it with any kind of protein you like. I admit that prepping jicama is not my favorite pass time, but it was worth it. As always, most important thing is to not overcook the shrimp, but the brining step helps with the texture, and will allow a little more room for error in that step. I can hardly wait to bring this back to our table!

ONE YEAR AGO: Mini-Egg Brownies

TWO YEARS AGO: The Luck of the Irish

THREE YEARS AGO: When life gives you Eye-of-the-Round

FOUR YEARS AGO: Carrot Cake Macarons

FIVE YEARS AGO: Soup Saturday: Say Goodbye to Winter

SIX YEARS AGO: Manchego and Poblano Soup

SEVEN YEARS AGO: A Smashing Pair

EIGHT YEARS AGO: Spinach and Mushroom Stuffed Pork Tenderloin

NINE YEARS AGO: Crispy Chickpea and Caper Spaghetti

TEN YEARS AGO: Spring has Sprung!

ELEVEN YEARS AGO: Chickpea and Fire Roasted Tomato Soup

TWELVE YEARS AGO: Double Asparagus Delight

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO: Sun-dried Tomato and Feta Cheese Torte

1Dec2022

COD COCONUT CURRY

Posted in Seafood by sallybr

You can use any mild fish for this, or even go with shrimp, but in that case make sure they are as large as you can find. I started from the Brazilian moqueca concept but used Red Curry paste as the main spice. Delicious, and super simple to prepare. I highly recommend you give it a try.

COD COCONUT CURRY
(from The Bewitching Kitchen)

3 large filets of cod
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1 shallot, minced
2 celery ribs, finely diced
2 tsp fresh ginger, grated
salt and pepper to taste
1 tablespoon red curry paste (I used this one)
1 can coconut milk
plenty of fresh cilantro, minced
juice of half a lemon
1/3 cup coconut flakes, unsweetened

Start by toasting the coconut, placing the flakes on a non-stick skillet and toasting over medium-heat, watching the pan very very closely, it goes from toasted to burned in a second. Transfer to a bowl and reserve.

Heat the oil in a large pan and sauté the shallots and celery until soft and fragrant. Add the ginger, the red curry paste, season with salt and pepper, and sautéed briefly, then add the coconut milk. Gently simmer for 5 minutes in very low heat. Add the pieces of fish, season again with salt, cover the pan and simmer super gently until the fish is cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes more. Add the cilantro and lemon juice right before serving, and sprinkle with toasted coconut, adding more on your plate if you like.

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

Comments: From start to finish, this will take less than 30 minutes, but it tastes so complex, it is hard to believe it is ready so fast. The best way to enjoy it is over rice (I made brown rice this time), but I had some spaghetti squash in the fridge and that’s the way I had mine. Totally non-traditional, I admit. But it worked great.

As to the red curry paste, you could add more if you like it really spicy, but for us one tablespoon was plenty. I suppose it will also vary with the brand you use, the one I listed is very potent.

ONE YEAR AGO: The Best Ever Eggplant Parmigiana

TWO YEARS AGO: Roasted Butternut Squash and Grapes with Maple Pomegranate Glaze

THREE YEARS AGO: A Really Big Announcement

FOUR YEARS AGO: Stir-Fried Chicken in Sesame-Orange Sauce

FIVE YEARS AGO: Monday Blues

SIX YEARS AGO: A New Way to Roast Veggies

SEVEN YEARS AGO: Two Takes on Raspberries

EIGHT YEARS AGO: Spice Cake with Blackberry Puree

NINE YEARS AGO: Own Your Kitchen with Cappuccino Panna Cotta

TEN YEARS AGO: Chicken Parmigiana, the Thriller

ELEVEN YEARS AGO: Wild Mushroom Risotto

TWELVE YEARS AGO: Tartine Bread: Basic Country Loaf

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO: Pugliese Bread

4Aug2022

KAREN’S QUICK SHRIMP FRIED RICE

Posted in Seafood by sallybr

I jumped on this recipe right after I read the blog post in Karen’s site, because I knew we would love it. I modified it just a tiny bit, to adjust to our digestive issues – omitting garlic and onions. Visit her site for the regular version if you like. Fried rice with all kinds of different flavors is a dish I adore but very rarely order in restaurants because it is so heavy. And at the same time so easy to over indulge because one helping is never enough. I find myself going back for another little morsel of egg, another bite of shrimp, or chicken, and of course the rice just tags along… Plus the restaurant versions are normally loaded with too much oil and cornstarch-thickened sauce. Not that there’s anything wrong with it, but for the most part a couple of hours later I am not feeling too perky… This version has all the goodies, but is considerably lighter. Using the shortcuts recommended by Karen turns it into one of the easiest dinners to prepare. Make it, and you can thank her later…

QUICK SHRIMP FRIED RICE
(slightly modified from Karen’s Kitchen Stories)

10 ounces jumbo shrimp, cut into thirds
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
3 tablespoons neutral oil such as peanut, divided
3 eggs, beaten
1 tablespoon ginger, minced
12 oz microwavable-ready to serve rice
1 package (12 ounces) frozen peas and carrots, thawed
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

Toss the shrimp in the salt, pepper, and cornstarch and let marinate for 10 minutes.

Heat a wok or large skillet over medium high heat. When it is hot enough for a bead of water to evaporate instantly, add one tablespoon of the oil and swirl to coat. Add the shrimp and spread it out into a single layer. Let fry, untouched, for 30 seconds. Stir-fry the shrimp for an additional minute, until almost cooked through. Remove the shrimp with a slotted spoon to a plate.

Reheat the pan and add another tablespoon of the oil. Add the eggs and swirl the pan to spread the eggs out to a thin layer. When they are almost cooked through, remove them to the same plate as the shrimp. Cut them into approximately 1 inch pieces.

Add the last tablespoon of oil. Add the ginger, cook for a few seconds, then add the rice and stir to incorporate the ginger. Spread and press the rice over the surface of the wok and let it cook, untouched, for about one minute. Toss the rice, respread it, and let it cook for an additional minute, untouched.

Add the soy sauce and toss with the rice. Add the peas and carrots, the cooked eggs, the almost-cooked shrimp, the rice vinegar, and the sesame oil. Stir fry all of the ingredients together to heat through and completely cook the shrimp. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper and serve.

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

Comments: Above you see the rice I used, which was surprisingly tasty. I don’t normally buy this type of product but Karen’s post made me open my horizons. If you are in a hurry, this is the perfect shortcut ingredient. Same goes for the frozen peas and carrots. Leftovers were great next day too. I am a bit picky about seafood leftovers, but the shrimp held up ok. Not sure I would enjoy leftovers with salmon or another type of fish, but maybe your tastebuds are more user-friendly than mine.

I love this type of meal that is one bowl with everything: carbs, veggies, animal protein. Of course, you can make a vegetarian version using mushrooms or seared tofu, the basic mixture will shine no matter what…

Karen, I don’t know how many recipes I’ve made from your blog, including breads, sweets, savory stuff, but this one is another big winner!
THANK YOU!

ONE YEAR AGO: OMG Peanut Butter Bars

TWO YEARS AGO: Kansas Sunflower Seed and Black Walnut Macarons

THREE YEARS AGO: Curry Turmeric Sourdough

FOUR YEARS AGO: Black Olive Tapenade and Deviled Eggs

FIVE YEARS AGO: Blueberry Crumble Coffee Cake

SIX YEARS AGO: Fresh Strawberry Yogurt Bundt Cake

SEVEN YEAR AGO: Quinoa Salad with Red Grapes and Avocado

EIGHT YEARS AGO: Strawberry Coffee Cake

NINE YEARS AGO: Lemon-Poppy Seed Muffins

TEN YEARS AGO: Mascarpone Brownies

ELEVEN YEARS AGO: Salmon Tacos

TWELVE YEARS AGO: Cinnamon Turban Bread

THIRTEEN YEARS AGO: Summertime Gratin

29Apr2022

MASALA SHRIMP

Posted in Seafood by sallybr

Quick to prepare, super flavorful, leftovers would be great next day but you won’t have any. Sorry about that.

MASALA SHRIMP
(inspired by many sources)

1 pound shrimp, large or jumbo, peeled and deveined
4 Roma tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon grated ginger
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp Kashmiri chili
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp Garam masala
1/3 cup water
juice of half a lemon
1/2 tsp chaat masala mix (optional, but nice)
fresh cilantro leaves, chopped

Heat the oil over a large sauté over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes, and cook them for at least 5 minutes, stirring every once in a while, until they turn into a paste. Add the ginger and cook for a couple of minutes longer. Add all the seasonings up to garam masala. Stir well, add water and let it reduce gently for 5 minutes or so.

Add the shrimp, season with salt and chaat masala (if using). Cook until the shrimp is opaque, moving them often. Turn the heat off, drizzle the lemon juice and serve sprinkled with cilantro leaves.

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

Comments: Traditionally, the masala shrimp would be less saucy, the tomato mixture is reduced longer. I took a slightly different route, so decide which way pleases you. If you want a shrimp more intensely flavored and almost dry, start with 3 tomatoes instead of 4, and reduce the masala further. Chaat masala is a nice spice mix to have in your pantry if you are fond of Indian cuisine.

You can use this masala sauce to serve with chicken, pork, I bet even scallops could be pretty nice too. And it is ready so quickly, perfect for a busy weeknight.

ONE YEAR AGO: Victoria Sponge Mini-Cakes

TWO YEARS AGO: Red Beet Sourdough

THREE YEARS AGO: A Modern Take on Tarte Tatin

FOUR YEARS AGO: Minnie-Macarons, a Fun Project with a Happy Ending

FIVE YEARS AGO: Nigella Lawson in the Bewitching Kitchen

SIX YEARS AGO: Walnut-Raisin Bran Muffins

SEVEN YEARS AGO: Gingersnaps with White Chocolate Chips

EIGHT YEARS AGO: Turkey Chili with Almond Butter

NINE YEARS AGO: Secret Recipe Club: Leek and Cheese Tart

TEN YEARS AGO: Secret Recipe Club; Triple Chocolate Brownies

ELEVEN YEARS AGO: Shaved Asparagus Salad

TWELVE YEARS AGO: Indonesian Ginger Chicken

29Jan2022

TIGER SHRIMP IN CHILI SAUCE

Posted in Seafood by sallybr

Tiger Cookies, Tiger Shrimp. Both very appropriate for this time of the year, don’t you agree? This is a super simple and quick recipe, with intense flavors. Contrary to most Chinese-inspired stir-fries, this one does not take any thickening agent like cornstarch, so don’t expect that kind of a sauce with some texture and body. We loved it this way, it felt lighter and without any compromise in flavor, quite the contrary. It seems that without any cloying sauce, the spices spoke louder.

TIGER SHRIMP IN CHILI SAUCE
(adapted from The Woks of Life)

1 pound jumbo tiger shrimp (or another type of jumbo size shrimp, peeled and de-veined)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Szechuan peppercorns, smashed
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon ginger (minced)
1 shallot, minced
1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine (or dry Sherry)
1/3 cup water (you may not use it all)
cilantro leaves

Rinse the shrimp under running water and pat dry with a paper towel.

Make the sauce by mixing the tomato paste, ketchup, chili garlic sauce, salt, pepper and sesame oil in a medium bowl.

Heat the oil in your wok until smoking hot. Fry the shrimp on both sides for 30 seconds each side. Remove the shrimp from the wok and set aside on a plate. Lower the heat to medium-low, add the ginger and shallots. Sautee for a couple of minutes, add the sauce, Shaoxing wine, cook stirring for a minute. Add half the water, let everything simmer together for another minute, add the shrimp and cook gently in the sauce until just cooked through. If needed, add the rest of the water. Add the fresh cilantro and serve over white rice with a favorite side dish.

ENJOY!

to print the recipe, click here

Comments: This was a super vibrant dish, and it is hard to find a simpler and faster way to have dinner at the table. Cooking the rice to go along took a lot longer… We enjoyed it with broccoli, prepared in one of my favorite ways (check it out here) because it is also super quick and very tasty. This one goes into our rotation, for sure! I hope you’ll give it a try…