Shrimp à Laméricaine Recipes

LOBSTER AMERICAINE

Steps:

• Peel the onion, shallots and carrots and cut into small chunks. Cut the tomatoes and celery into similar sizes. Peel the garlic cloves and roughly chop.
• Break down the lobsters and cut the heads in half; keep the roe in to add flavor. Add 2 tablespoons oil to a large, high-sided skillet over medium-high heat and allow the oil to heat. Add the lobsters, onions, carrots and half of the celery to the skillet and saute until the onions start to become translucent, about 10 minutes. Add stock to cover and bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Add the brandy, cook for 5 minutes, then strain the stock and set aside the lobster pieces with flesh inside. Remove meat from lobster shells and chop into 1-inch chunks.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over high heat. Toss the potatoes with salt and pepper and add to the skillet. Flip occasionally to avoid burning and remove once they are par-cooked, about 8 minutes. Set aside.
• Heat remaining tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add the shallots and remaining celery and saute until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 2 more minutes. Add the tomatoes, potatoes and lobster, season with salt and pepper and cook until the tomatoes start to break down. Flambe with vermouth and cognac. Once the fire dies down, stir in the tarragon and heavy cream.

PAELLA 'A L'AMERICAINE

Steps:

• Prick sausage in several places with a pin and place in a paella pan or electric skillet with 1/4 inch water; cover and simmer slowly 5 minutes, then drain, discarding liquid.
• Cut sausage into 1/2-inch pieces and saute' in pan with the oil until lightly browned; stir in onions and peppers.
• Cover and cook slowly until vegetables are tender.
• Remove with a slotted spoon, leaving fat in pan.
• Dry chicken pieces in paper towels, heat fat in pan, and brown chicken on all sides.
• Drain fat out of pan, add the sausage and vegetables, then the remaining ingredients.
• Cover and simmer slowly for 15 minutes--chicken will be one-half to two-thirds cooked, and will finish later, with the rice.
• (May be cooked in advance; bring to the boil before proceeding.) About half an hour before serving, bring chicken and sausage to the rapid boil on top of the stove.
• Sprinkle in the rice, mixing it down into the liquid with a spoon.
• Boil rapidly 5 to 6 minutes, uncovered--do not stir the rice.
• When it has swollen and begun to rise to the surface, rapidly push the shrimp, tail end down, into the rice; strew on the tomatoes, peas or beans, chickpeas, and olives.
• Again, do not stir, simply push these ingredients down into the rice with a spoon.
• Carefully correct seasoning.
• Reduce heat and let paella simmer for another 8 to 10 minutes, or more, uncovered, until rice is just tender--slightly al dente.
• (It is best not to cover the pan, but if you feel the rice is not cooking properly, cover for a few minutes, sprinkling on a few tbsps. or so of stock or water if rice seems dry; then uncover to finish cooking.) At the end of the cooking, the rice will have absorbed the liquid.
• Serve the paella from its cooking pan, and decorate with the lemon quarters and parsley.
• Note: When finished cooking, I will cover and let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

SHRIMP à L'AMéRICAINE

Steps:

• Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of the butter in the olive oil over moderately high heat. Add half of the shrimp and cook, tuning once, until lightly browned but not cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining shrimp.
• In the skillet, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Add the shallots and garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and just starting to brown, about 5 minutes.
• Add the wine and Cognac and simmer until slightly reduced, about 2 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato paste and cayenne and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the shrimp and cook, stirring until just cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the crème fraîche; season with salt and pepper.
• Serve with bread.

LOUISIANA SHRIMP

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the first seven ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. , Place shrimp in a large roasting pan; pour butter mixture over top. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until shrimp turn pink, stirring once. Serve warm with a slotted spoon.

MEDITERRANEAN SHRIMP AND LINGUINE

Steps:

• Cook linguine according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms; cook and stir 4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; cook and stir 5 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. , Drain linguine; serve with shrimp mixture.