Serrano Wrapped Sherry Shrimp Food

CREAMY "GRITS" WITH CREOLE SHRIMP

Steps:

• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. When butter melts into extra-virgin olive oil, add garlic, onions, celery, bell peppers, thyme, bay leaf then season with salt and pepper. Cook veggies 7 to 8 minutes until tender, add in the Worcestershire, 1 to 2 tablespoons hot sauce (medium to spicy heat level) and the flour and cook 1 minute more then add in beer and cook it off, another 30 seconds or so. Whisk in 1 cup of stock then add tomatoes and okra, if using, and bring to a bubble. Add shrimp and cook 3 to 5 minutes, until shrimp turn pink and firm then turn off heat. Remove thyme stems and bay leaf.
• Bring remaining 2 tablespoons butter, 2 cups stock, 1 cup milk and 2 teaspoons hot sauce, to a boil in a sauce pot. Stir in 1 cup quick cooking polenta. Stir constantly to mass the cornmeal. Once the mixture thickens to the consistency of whipped potatoes, season the "grits" with salt and divide among dinner plates.
• Serve generous ladles of shrimp and sauce on a bed of creamy "grits".

GARLIC LOVERS SHRIMP

Steps:

• Process garlic in food processor to finely chop. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add oil and butter. Add garlic and crushed pepper flakes to oil and butter. Season shrimp with salt and toss to coat. Add shrimp to the pan and cook, stirring frequently, until pink and heads curl to tails. Add black pepper, to your taste. Serve immediately.

SERRANO HAM-WRAPPED TOMATOES

Steps:

• Cut 1 1/4 pounds medium ripe tomatoes into 1 1/2-inch-thick wedges; season with salt and pepper and sprinkle with 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar. Top each wedge with shaved Manchego cheese and wrap each with 1/2 piece thinly sliced serrano ham.

PAD THAI WITH CHICKEN AND SHRIMP

Steps:

• In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, water, peanut butter, and chili paste until smooth.
• Heat a large wok over medium-high heat, and add canola oil. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and ginger and let cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the vegetables, chicken, and shrimp, and stir-fry until chicken and shrimp are browned and cooked through, about 2 minutes. Add noodles and toss to coat.
• Add peanut/spice paste, brown sugar and cider vinegar and toss to distribute. Cook until heated through, about 2 minutes.
• Spread chopped romaine on a platter. Serve pad Thai on top of lettuce and garnish with mung bean sprouts, lime, cilantro and chopped peanuts.

GRILLED SHRIMP

Steps:

• Preheat griddle or grill pan over high heat.
• Butterfly shrimp by slicing almost through lengthwise, but leave shell on shrimp, this will keep the shrimp tender while grilling over such high heat.
• Brush shrimps with oil, season with salt and pepper and grill 2 minutes on each side, until shells are hot pink and shrimp is opaque.
• Place lemons on grill the last minute. The heat will release the juice from the lemons. To serve, squeeze grilled lemon wedges over shrimp.

GRILLED SHRIMP WRAPPED IN SERRANO HAM

Steps:

• Peel and devein the shrimp, leaving tails on. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and coat in olive oil. (If using wooden skewers, soak in water for 30 minutes to prevent burning).
• Wrap each shrimp with a piece of ham, about two inches long, and skewer the shrimp so the ham is held securely around the shrimp. Place the skewers over a high temperature, grill and cook for 2 minutes per side, or until the shrimp is opaque. Serve immediately.