Jumbo Shrimp Flamed With Pernod On A Bed Of Fennel And Tomato Recipes

FENNEL & GARLIC SHRIMP

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) saute pan over medium heat. Add the fennel and saute for 5 minutes, until tender but not browned. Turn the heat to medium-low, add the garlic and red pepper flakes, and cook at a very low sizzle for 2 to 3 minutes, until the garlic just begins to color.
• Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels, add them to the pan, and toss together with the fennel and olive oil. Spread the shrimp in one layer and cook over medium heat for 2 minutes on one side. Turn the shrimp and cook for 2 minutes on the other side, until they¿re pink and just cooked through.
• Off the heat, sprinkle with the parsley, 1 tablespoon of chopped fennel fronds, the Pernod (if using), the fleur de sel, and black pepper and serve it with bread to soak up all the pan juices.

SAUTEED SHRIMPS WITH TOMATOES AND PERNOD

Steps:

• Puree tomatoes in a blender until smooth. If dry, add a tablespoon or two of water. Pass through a medium strainer into a mixing bowl. Stir in Pernod, salt, and pepper. Reserve.
• Season shrimps with salt and pepper. Melt 4 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over high heat. Saute shrimps until pink-orange, about 1 minute per side. With a slotted spoon, transfer shrimp to a platter, leaving butter in pan. Add reserved tomato sauce and julienned snow peas. Bring to a boil and cook until reduced by about one-third. Adjust seasonings to taste.
• Break remaining butter in small pieces and stir into sauce along with shrimp. Once smooth, remove from heat, and ladle over bowls of warm fettuccine. Garnish with chervil and serve immediately.

SANTA BARBARA SPOT PRAWNS IN PERNOD

Steps:

• Heat a large, heavy-bottomed sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, and at the first sight of smoke, carefully add the prawns. Sear the prawns on one side for 30 seconds. Turn the prawns, add the smashed garlic cloves, and sauté until golden. With no fear, add the Pernod and flame off all the alcohol; this will happen very quickly. Add the fish stock and reduce to half, about 2 minutes. Add the butter and lemon zest, and turn off the heat. Swirl the pan until all the butter is incorporated into a sauce.
• Finish the sauce with a squeeze of the lemon, a few flecks of crushed red chili, and sea salt and pepper. Toss in the tomatoes at the last moment, and garnish with a few chopped fennel fronds, if using. Serve immediately.

SHRIMP IN PERNOD CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a skillet, add the peppercorns and sauté for about 1 minute.
• Add the shrimp and cook 1 to 1 1/2 minutes on each side or until they are just pink.
• Pour over the Pernod and flame. Add chives and cream and heat just to simmer. Serve immediately with lots of crusty bread to mop up the sauce!

SHRIMP WITH PERNOD CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Put the flour, salt and pepper in a plastic sealable bag. Shake shrimp in flour to coat evenly, shaking off excess.
• Melt one tablespoon butter in a saute pan on medium high and add the oil. When the butter and oil just approaches the smoking point, saute the shrimp until just done, approximately 5 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp.
• *Do not overcook as they will be rewarmed in the sauce later.* Remove the shrimp and tent with foil to keep them warm.
• In the same pan add the other tablespoon butter on medium heat until melted, and cook the shallots until they are opaque. Increase heat to high and deglaze the pan with the Pernod, scraping up any pieces of cooked food. Cook the Pernod until the alcohol is evaporated and it is reduced by half. Then, add the cream and the tomato paste and bring to a rapid boil.
• Reduce the heat slightly, add the thyme and sage allow to reduce to a sauce like consistency (about 5 minutes).
• Return the shrimp to the sauce and reheat. Serve the shrimp drizzled with a generous amount of sauce and garnish with chives.