Sultry Coconut Curry Noodles with Shrimp

Sultry Coconut Curry Noodles with Shrimp

Sultry Coconut Curry Noodles with Shrimp

This yellow curry noodle dish carries a sultry allure, with its velvety textures and deeply spiced flavors that envelop the palate in warmth.

It has a fragrant, creamy broth with a balance of spice and richness. The aromatic shallots, ginger, garlic, and jalapeño are sautéed in olive oil. Curry powder and ground turmeric deepen the flavor before coconut milk and chicken stock create a smooth, flavorful base. A touch of cornstarch thickens the broth, while fish sauce adds serious umami notes.

Plump shrimp are simmered until just cooked, absorbing the warm, spiced broth and taking on the gorgeous golden color. Served over chewy-tender noodles, this dish is comforting, super flavorful, and mildly spicy. A garnish of fresh cilantro and basil add bright herbal notes while red jalapeño brings a bit more color and heat.

Coconut Curry Noodles with Shrimp Recipe

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Andouille Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo Soup

Andouille Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo Soup

Andouille Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo Soup

This recipe is similar to the one I posted last month. For Jimmy Buffett Day, I shared my version of his sister Lucy Buffett’s Summer Seafood Gumbo. Here, the gumbo is finished with smoky, creole-spiced Andouille Pork Sausage instead of crab, and more shrimp stock for soupier style.

“Gumbo Soup” is a term sometimes used to describe a thinner version of gumbo. It has the same ingredients and flavors as traditional gumbo but with a more broth-like consistency, closer to a soup than a stew. Both ways are excellent, just a little different.

Andouille Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo Soup Recipe

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Breaking All the Rules for Cacio e Pepe

Breaking all the Rules: Cacio e Pepe

Breaking all the Rules for Cacio e Pepe

This isn’t a traditional Cacio e Pepe recipe, nor does it claim to be authentically Italian. It’s not meant to be classic, but I created this spaghetti and shrimp dish with my nephew in mind…and boy oh boy is it good!

He had enjoyed a delightful Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe at Chef Roma’s Kitchen, a local Las Vegas restaurant. Being a cheese lover, he also adores shrimp, plenty of butter, and a hint of spice.

So I dedicate this dish to Jett. To which he said, “that shrimp dish looks AMAZING, it looks so flavorful and it looks like the best shrimp I would ever taste.” I ❤️ you, dear.

Cacio e Pepe is a classic Roman pasta dish that translates to “cheese and pepper.” Despite its simplicity, it delivers a remarkable depth of flavor and a comforting, creamy texture. The dish is traditionally made with just three main ingredients: pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, and freshly ground black pepper.

Breaking all the Rules for Cacio e Pepe

Breaking the Rules

If you strive for an authentic dish, don’t make this one!

The beauty of Cacio e Pepe lies in its simplicity, achieved through the emulsion of cheese, pasta water, and pepper. Adding butter, cream, or oil can make the dish overly rich and detracts from its true flavor.

Similarly, adding extra cheese at the end can disrupt the balance. The emulsification should occur as the pasta is being mixed with the sauce, not as a final touch.

Cacio e Pepe is deeply rooted in Roman culinary tradition. Introducing ingredients like red chili flakes alters the dish’s character, steering it away from its classic origins.

While adding basil can bring a fresh, aromatic note that complements many Italian dishes, it’s still a departure from the traditional Roman recipe. Basil introduces a herbal, slightly sweet flavor that, while delicious, isn’t typically part of Cacio e Pepe.

In traditional Italian cuisine, pairing cheese with seafood, such as shrimp, is generally avoided. The reasoning is that the strong flavors of cheese can overwhelm the delicate taste of seafood.

It’s highly recommended to use finely hand-grated Pecorino Romano rather than pre-grated cheese. While pre-grated cheese worked fine here and is convenient, freshly grated Pecorino Romano can make a significant difference in a dish as simple and ingredient-focused as Cacio e Pepe.

Pronounce it CAH-choh eh PEH-peh, now that’s authentic.

Cacio e Pepe with Shrimp Recipe

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Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons

Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons

🦐 Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons 🦐
🌺  Creme Fraiche, Chives, Edible Flowers 🌺

Whereas my previous Shrimp Bisque was hearty and rustic, the texture of this one is smooth and elegant. It is the same hearty-style recipe inspired by Emeril Lagasse and Ina Garten but at the end I simply purée the soup with an immersion blender. And instead of garnishing with jumbo sautéed gulf shrimp, here I top the bisque with buttery homemade Old Bay croutons.  A swirl of crème fraîche, snipped chives, and sometimes an edible flower finish it off.

Shrimp Bisque with Old Bay Croutons

Shrimp Bisque and Old Bay Croutons Recipes

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Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque Inspired by Emeril and Ina

Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque Inspired by Emeril and Ina🦐 Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque 🦐
Inspired by Emeril and Ina

With Emeril and Ina as inspiration, how could this Shrimp Bisque be anything short of fabulous?

Emeril Lagasse’s shrimp stock is robust and aromatic. In this recipe, another layer of depth is added by roasting the shrimp shells before making the stock. And not just any shrimp shells, but extra flavorful spot shrimp with some of their roe still attached. The result is a stock with a rich, deep color.

Ina Garten’s shrimp bisque is hearty and textured. She says in her video that she prefers a chunky-style to smooth, so she coarsely chops a shrimp and leek mixture flavored with both dry sherry and cognac in a food processor before adding it back to the creamy base.

Here, the bisque is garnished with extra-jumbo butterflied shrimp and complementary fresh thyme. Gulf shrimp aficionados are sure to be delighted…

Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque Inspired by Emeril and Ina

Hearty-Style Shrimp Bisque Recipe

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