Spicy Shrimp Creole With Italian Rustic Polenta Food

SPICY SHRIMP CREOLE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a Dutch oven on medium heat. Saute celery, onions, and garlic in the Dutch oven until the onions are pearly white and the celery has begun to soften.
• Mix sugar, flour, salt, pepper and cayenne pepper into the Dutch oven. Add crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce, both pieces of bay leaf, and hot sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn the heat to low.
• Let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Approximately 15 minutes before serving, add shrimp to the pot and stir well. If necessary, raise the temperature to medium-low to ensure the Creole is bubbling but not burning. Scoop out the bay leaf halves before serving. Serve when the shrimp is pink and thoroughly cooked.

SPICY SHRIMP CREOLE WITH ITALIAN RUSTIC POLENTA

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet or pot melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, peppers, celery, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp cayenne; cook stirring, until vegetables soften, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in both cans of tomatoes, garlic, bay leaves and 1/4 tsp. salt. Over medium-high heat bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer, uncovered, 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Whisk together flour and 1/4 cup water. Add a small amount of the hot tomato sauce to flour mixture; stir to blend. (If you see you don't have enough liquid in the pan, add a bit of chicken stock to it.)
• Whisk mixture back into tomato mixture in the pan; cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, 4-6 minutes.
• Season shrimp with the remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/4 tsp cayenne. Add the shrimp to the pan along with the Worcestershire and hot sauce.
• Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium heat until shrimp turn pink, 4-6 minutes. Remove bay leaves. Stir in scallions and parsley.
• Place the polenta, 4 cups of chicken stock, and the olive oil in a heavy 2 1/2 quart saucepan and stir to combine. We like using non-stick.
• Set the pan over medium-high heat and bring to a simmer, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until the starch takes hold, 5 to 8 minutes.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, until the grains are soft and hold their shape on a spoon, about 1 hour.
• Whisk in the salt, pepper, butter, and Parmesan.
• Serve the Polenta along with the Shrimp Creole. Garnish with chopped parsley and scallions.

SAUTEED SHRIMP OVER POLENTA

Steps:

• Heat 2 cups chicken stock and half-and-half until nearly boiling. Add polenta and stir constantly until no clumps remain, 3 to 4 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer until tender and thickened, 20 to 30 minutes. Add additional stock or water if polenta is too thick.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and garlic. Saute for 3 to 5 minutes. Add 1/2 cup chicken stock, oregano, thyme, and ancho chile powder. Simmer until vegetables reach desired texture, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir Parmesan cheese into the polenta. Add shrimp to the vegetable mixture; cook until pink and heated through, 3 to 5 minutes more. Spoon polenta onto serving plates and top with shrimp mixture.

AUTHENTIC SPICY SHRIMP CREOLE

Steps:

• Over medium heat make a roux with the vegetable oil and flour.
• Stir continuously until the roux is the color of a paper bag.
• Add bell pepper, garlic, green onions and Tabasco.
• Keep cooking until the veggies get soft.
• Add the tomato paste and the water, making sure to mix well.
• Add shrimp; cover and simmer for about 15 minutes over low heat, making sure to stir every once and a while.
• Uncover and cook until desired consistency.
• Add salt and pepper to taste and Cajun seasoning if desired.
• Serve over hot white rice with french bread on the side to soak up the juices.