Criollo Shrimp Recipes

CRIOLLO SHRIMP

Steps:

• Cook onion, red pepper and gingerroot in dressing in large skillet on medium-high heat 5 min. or until onion is tender.
• Stir in mustard, annatto and cumin until blended.
• Add shrimp; cook 3 to 5 min. or until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Serve over rice.

CAMARONES ENCHILADOS (PUERTO RICAN-STYLE CREOLE SHRIMP)

Steps:

• Heat a few tablespoons of oil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell peppers and cook, stirring occasionally, until they start to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, paprika, cumin, red pepper flakes and a generous pinch of salt and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Add the wine, tomatoes, capers and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Stir in the shrimp and cook until opaque, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, stir in the lime juice and cilantro and remove the bay leaves. Serve with the rice and more lime juice and cilantro.

MOFONGO STUFFED WITH CRIOLLO SHRIMP STEW

Steps:

• For the shrimp stew: Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and add to a bowl. Toss with the adobo, a pinch of salt and a few cracks of pepper and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oregano, smoked paprika, olives and brine, cilantro, onion, red bell pepper and a pinch of salt and cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Pour in half of the beer, scraping up any brown bits from the bottom, and cook down for 1 minute. Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce and the rest of the beer. Cook over medium-high heat until the liquids reduce by a third, about 5 minutes, then turn the heat to low and keep warm.
• For the mofongo: Heat a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat and add the corn oil. Heat until the oil reaches 325 degrees F or it bubbles when in contact with a wooden spoon.
• Add the plantains to the oil, lower the heat to low and fry, flipping halfway through, until light golden and cooked through but not yet crispy, about 15 minutes. Drain the plantains on paper towels and season with salt.
• Combine the olive oil and garlic in a mortar and pestle and process to form a paste. Season with about 1 teaspoon salt. Transfer the mixture to a small bowl and set aside.
• Add 5 to 6 chunks of the fried plantains, 1 tablespoon of the oil mixture and about 2 tablespoons of the crushed pork rinds, if using, to the same mortar and pestle. Mix until well mashed and combined. Scoop out the mofongo with a spoon and use your hands to form the mixture into a bowl, creating a cradle for the shrimp stew. Repeat 3 additional times.
• For serving: Return the stew to medium-high heat and cook until it starts to simmer. Add the peas and cook for 1 minute. Add the shrimp and lemon juice, then continue to cook until the shrimp are cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Plate the mofongo and spoon the shrimp stew into them.

SHRIMP WITH CREOLE SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, saute the onion, green pepper and celery in oil for 3-4 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain tomatoes, reserving juice; add juice to skillet. Mash tomatoes and add to skillet. Stir in the parsley, water, tomato paste, lime juice and seasonings. , Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until thickened. Serve warm with shrimp.