Vanilla Shrimp

[TripleB]

Headnote: I got this recipe many, many years ago out of the L.A. Times. It is one of my favorite shrimp recipes. Now I know vanilla with shrimp does not sound all that appetizing, but it really works. A buttery sauce with a hint of vanilla and garlic. I use the Bourbon Double Strength vanilla, so adjust appropriately. I don't use vanilla substitutes.

Makes or Serves: Serves 3-4. You can easily reduce the recipe for just one person.

Takes: About 2 hours to marinade and then about 30 minutes to put the dish together.

Serve with: We generally serve it with white rice. Either on the side or shrimp served over the rice. I like it with the shrimp over the rice and the rice absorbs all that delicious sauce.

Special tools: No special tools.

Ingredients:

Marinade:
3 lbs. (21-25 ct) Shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 ½ Tbsp Garlic, minced
1 Med. White Onion, minced
3-4 Tbsp Vanilla (adjust if using double strength)
Fresh Black Pepper
Kosher Salt
1 Can Chicken Broth (~ 1½ cups)
3 Tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 Cup Butter
¾ Cup Dry White Wine

Method:

1. Place shrimp in large bowl. Add garlic, onion, 2 Tbsp vanilla, pepper and salt to taste. Marinate in refrigerator 2 hours.
2. Place chicken broth in saucepan and boil, uncovered, until reduced to ¾ cup.
3. Heat butter and oil in large skillet. Add shrimp and sauté, turning as needed until shrimp begin to curl and turn opaque. Do not cook all the way through.
4. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside in bowl.
5. Stir in wine, chicken broth and liquid from the bowl the shrimp are resting in. Reduce until sauce thickens.
6. Season to taste with remaining vanilla, pepper and salt.
7. Return shrimp to skillet and finishing cooking. Serve with rice.

[gcdmd]

When I saw the title, I thought it was the name of a new, or possibly old, rock group.

[Jerod Broussard]

Love vanilla and shrimp. Ate my weight in fried shrimp last Saturday.

[Michael_in_TX]

I was nearly like, absolutely not....then I remembered what high quality vanilla tastes like and....yes....yes, I can see that going really well with the natural sweetness of shrimp!

[TripleB]

That's a great way to put it....the vanilla does go with the natural sweetness of the shrimp. But an odd combo.

[SmokingSteve]

Interesting...might have to put this in Paprika. Thanks!

[tamidw]

This goes on the try this list. Thanks!

[HawkerXP]

Yes. Like above was confused. Hmmm. But now. Once I looked. I will have to give it a go!

[TripleB]

It is interesting that vanilla pairs well with shellfish. There was an old restaurant in Santa Monica near where I grew up and it was called Killer Shrimp. Their shrimp had this floral, vanilla note. It was just crazy good. I have not totally duplicated that shrimp, but this recipe brings back those fond memories.