Mini Shrimp Cakes With Ginger Butter Recipes

CORN CAKES WITH SHRIMP AND CHIPOTLE BUTTER: TORTILLAS DE MAIZE

Steps:

• To prepare the Pico de Gallo, place the onion in a small strainer, rinse with hot water, and drain. Transfer to a mixing bowl, add the remaining salsa ingredients, and mix well. Let sit, refrigerated, for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to marry. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the chipotle puree with the water. Add the shrimp and toss to thoroughly coat. Marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the 1 cup of softened butter with the remaining 4 1/2 tablespoons of chipotle puree; use more or less chipotle, to taste. Set aside at room temperature. To prepare the Corn Cakes, thoroughly combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk the buttermilk and melted butter together, then whisk in the egg. Gradually add the combined dry ingredients, stirring continuously until thoroughly incorporated. In a food processor, puree 1/2 cup of the corn kernels and fold into the batter. Then add the whole corn kernels and scallions, and mix together. Add a little more buttermilk if the batter is too thick. Set aside. To cook the shrimp, heat the 3 tablespoons of butter on a griddle or in a skillet. Saute the shrimp for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat, turning once. Be careful not to overcook. Keep warm. To cook the Corn Cakes, heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and ladle enough Corn Cake batter to make 3-inch cakes. Cook until golden brown, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Repeat for the remaining cakes (there should be enough for 18 cakes). Place 3 warm Corn Cakes on each serving plate. Place 5 shrimp on top of the cakes and spread the warm soft chipotle butter liberally over the shrimp. Spoon the Pico de Gallo next to the Corn Cakes and garnish with the scallions.;

MINI BUTTER CAKES WITH CRANBERRY TOPPING

Steps:

• 1. For the cakes: Position an oven rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325°F. Generously spray a 12-cup mini Bundt pan with nonstick spray. Whisk the flour, allspice and salt together in a medium bowl. Whisk the eggs, half-and-half and vanilla together in a measuring cup.
• 2. Beat the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. With the mixer running, slowly add the granulated sugar. Turn the mixer off, scrape down the sides of the bowl, add the lemon zest, and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 minutes; scrape down the sides of the bowl. Reduce the speed to low and beat in the flour mixture about ¼ cup at a time, stopping the mixer a few times to scrape down sides of the bowl. Then slowly drizzle in the egg mixture until just incorporated, being careful not to over-mix the batter.
• 3. Divide the batter equally among the prepared cake molds and smooth the tops. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the cakes comes out clean and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, 15 to 18 minutes. Cool the cakes in the pan on a rack about 10 minutes, then invert onto a kitchen towel and place upright on the rack to cool completely.
• 4. For the cranberry topping: Warm the cranberry sauce in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the cinnamon and mash the berries slightly with the back of a spoon until you have a chunky compote. Keep at room temperature until ready to use.
• 5. For the glaze: Whisk the confectioners' sugar and milk together until smooth. If the glaze is too thick to pour easily, add more milk a ¼ teaspoon at a time to adjust the consistency.
• 6. To serve: Spoon the glaze over the tops of the cakes and put a rounded teaspoon of cranberry topping in the center.

MINI SHRIMP CALZONES

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a heavy large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant and tender, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, thyme, parsley, and wine. Increase the heat to medium and simmer until most of the liquid evaporates, about 8 minutes. In a small bowl, season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Add the shrimp to the skillet and saute until just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Set aside to cool in a small bowl.
• Position 1 oven rack in the center and the second rack on the bottom of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Line 2 heavy large baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll out each piece of pizza dough into a 7-inch-diameter floured round. Sprinkle half of the mozzarella over the lower half of each pizza dough, dividing equally and leaving a 1-inch border. Spoon the shrimp mixture over the cheese. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the shrimp mixture. Brush the edge of the dough with egg wash. Fold the plain dough halves over the filling, forming half circles. Pinch the edges of dough firmly together and crimp to seal.
• Transfer the calzones to the 2 prepared sheets. Bake until the calzones puff and become golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Brush extra-virgin olive oil over calzones and serve.
• Mix the warm water and yeast in a small bowl to blend. Let stand until the yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes. Mix the flour and salt in a food processor to blend. Blend in the oil. With the machine running, add the yeast mixture and blend just until the dough forms. Turn the dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth, about 1 minute. Transfer the dough to a large oiled bowl and turn the dough to coat with the oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm draft-free area until the dough doubles in volume, about 1 hour. Punch the down dough and form into ball. The dough can be used immediately or stored airtight in the refrigerator for 1 day.
• Yield: 1 (16-ounce) ball of pizza dough
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Inactive Prep Time: 1 hour