Mini Shrimp Cakes With Ginger Butter Food

SHRIMP CAKES

Steps:

• 1. Coarsely chop shrimp.
• 2. In a large bowl combine shrimp, egg, green onion, ginger, mustard, cilantro, sweet chili sauce, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper.
• 3. Add 1 cup panko to the bowl and combine using your hands. Form mixture into twelve 3-inch-diameter cakes.
• 4. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry cakes until cooked through and golden brown on both sides, adding more oil to skillet as needed, about 6 minutes.

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.