Molcajete Shrimp In Salsa Verde Recipes

MEXICAN MOLCAJETE SHRIMP

Steps:

• Start by boiling the tomatillos and chiles de árbol in two cups of water. Boil until completely cooked, then let cool for 10 minutes. Afterward, purée the tomatillos and peppers along with the boiled water. Season with salt as desired.
• Pre-heat the molcajete (stone mortar) in the oven at 200 degrees Fahrenheit-this step isn't necessary, but I do it to keep the shrimp hot while at the table.
• Separately, in a medium-sized skillet add the olive oil and butter; place over medium-high heat and let the butter completely melt before adding the sliced onion. Sauté for one minute then stir-in the chopped garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds and incorporate the shrimp. Stir occasionally and cook until the shrimp have begun to turn orange in color. When ready, pour the tomatillo salsa over the shrimp and simmer until the sauce begins to boil.
• Using oven mitts remove the molcajete from the oven and place over a heat-proof surface or dish (to avoid burning your table!) To finish, spoon the cooked shrimp with tomatillo sauce into the molcajete and garnish with diced avocado and queso fresco. Accompany with toast or corn tortillas and enjoy!

SALSA VERDE SHRIMP

Steps:

• Peel the outer skins/husks off the tomatillos, onion and garlic. Cut the stems off the peppers and slice in half lengthwise. Cut the onion in half. (See Note 1)
• In the Dutch oven or large stock pot bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add the tomatillos, chiles and onion. Cook for 8 minutes.
• Carefully remove with a slotted spoon and place all the peppers, tomatillos, onion, garlic and cilantro in a food processor, blender or Vitamix, and process until smooth. Use 2 cups of the salsa for this recipe and reserve remaining for other use.
• In a bowl season the shrimp with kosher salt, black pepper and garlic powder.
• In a large skillet add oil and sautée shrimp 2 minutes per side. Pour the 2 cups of salsa verde on top and cook 2 minutes more, stirring. Stir in half of the cilantro leaves.
• Spoon over steamed rice and top with remaining cilantro.

SALSA DE MOLCAJETE

Steps:

• On a comal, roast the serranos and tomatoes for 5 to 10 minutes or until they are charred. Discard the very black skin. In a molcajete, with a tejolote, grind the serranos and garlic and add salt and pepper. When they are roughly ground, add the tomatoes and continue grinding.
• Serve in the molcajete or a small bowl.

SHRIMP IN SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Shell and devein shrimp. Melt clarified butter in a large skillet over low heat and saute garlic until golden brown. Remove garlic and mash to a pulp with parsley and salt. Add flour, ginger and white pepper and mix to a smooth paste. Reserve.
• Reheat the clarified butter in the skillet until very hot and saute the shrimp for about 1 minute or until they turn opaque. Remove and reserve.
• Return garlic-parsley mixture to skillet, mix with butter remaining in skillet, add cream and water and bring to the boil, stirring constantly to thicken. Add white wine and bring to boil. Return shrimp to mixture to reheat briefly. Do not boil. Check seasonings and serve immediately over rice or small pasta.

SALSA VERDE MOLCAJETE

Steps:

• Roast tomatillos, garlic and chile directly over flames on a grill (or if you do not have one, I use a cast iron fry pan).
• Turn often so as not to burn.
• When they are all soft, transfer to mortar and pestal (molcajete); mash all ingredients--the consistency should be chunky.
• Add salt or soup mix to taste.
• Olive oil can be added if you like, but is not necessary. Cilantro can be added as well.
• A variation of this recipe is to use tomatoes and grill them till charred and proceed with the rest of the ingredients.