Seafood | Jenn's Kitchen Diary https://jennskitchendiary.com Feasting Fancy on a Budget Mon, 26 Aug 2024 01:21:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://jennskitchendiary.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/cropped-2-1-32x32.png Seafood | Jenn's Kitchen Diary https://jennskitchendiary.com 32 32 Easy Lemony Tuna Salad https://jennskitchendiary.com/easy-lemony-tuna-salad/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=easy-lemony-tuna-salad https://jennskitchendiary.com/easy-lemony-tuna-salad/#respond Mon, 26 Aug 2024 01:21:15 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=4226 One of my daughter’s favorite dishes is a good tuna salad. This is really nice […]

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One of my daughter’s favorite dishes is a good tuna salad. This is really nice kid-friendly lunch or dinner that is easy to put together. I make the adult tuna salad extra yummy with this easy lemony tuna salad.

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Lemony Tuna Salad

Easy lemony tuna salad for weeknight dinners or lunches. Serve on a sandwich or with grain crackers.
Course Appetizer, Lunch
Cuisine American
Keyword lemon tuna salad, lemony tuna salad, tuna salad
Prep Time 10 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 8 oz cans albacore tuna
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • Juice of 1/4 lemon
  • 2 celery stalks finely diced
  • 1/6 onion finely diced

Instructions

  • Drain canned tuna and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, prep lemon zest, lemon juice, and set aside.
  • Finely dice celery and onion.
  • Combine tuna with lemon zest, lemon juice, celery, onion, black pepper, and mayonnaise. Mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

For other easy weeknight dinner recipes, check out my easy creamy shrimp and leek dish.

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Sticky Rice Seafood Pancake https://jennskitchendiary.com/sticky-rice-seafood-pancake/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sticky-rice-seafood-pancake https://jennskitchendiary.com/sticky-rice-seafood-pancake/#respond Tue, 02 Apr 2024 05:57:01 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=4046 This sticky rice seafood pancake recipe was inspired by my husband’s aunt. It is Chinese […]

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This sticky rice seafood pancake recipe was inspired by my husband’s aunt. It is Chinese in origin, but I am unclear as to which region or subgroup eats it. I have not been able to find any recipe like this online, so what I know is through oral history and through eating this dish myself. My husband’s aunt would always make this pancake during Lunar New Year, so it is a specialty holiday food item. You make it in large batches to share with family. The texture of it is like mochi when cooked, but with a wonderfully crispy exterior from being fried. Typically I have only seen this with shrimp on the inside. Usually, foods that are traditionally eaten during Lunar New Year symbolize wealth, prosperity, and abundance. Thus, expensive ingredients such as dried shitake mushroom and fresh shrimp are used.

This dish reminds me of the Korean seafood pancakes, but it is very different. Whereas Korean seafood pancakes use a wheat flour based batter, this sticky rice seafood pancake uses glutinous rice flour and rice flour. It is also packed with seafood and garlic chive, but lends a different flavor and texture.

Cooking Tips for Sticky Rice Seafood Pancake

  • Make sure you mix the ingredients in the batter well right before making each sticky rice seafood pancake. The ingredients tend to settle on the bottom so mixing it up will ensure an even batter as well as even distribution of fillings.
  • Use a non-stick pan. Or if using a cast iron skillet, make sure to season it ahead of time to ensure a non-stick surface.
  • Use a generous amount of oil each time you make a new pancake. This will ensure a golden brown and delicious texture.
sticky rice seafood pancake
sticky rice seafood pancakes
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Sticky Rice Seafood Pancake

Hokkien sticky rice seafood pancakes with shrimp, garlic chive, shitake mushrooms, and Chinese sausage.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 8 people

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups glutinous rice flour
  • 1/2 cup rice flour
  • 2.5 cups water
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 2 tsp neutral oil
  • 6 dried shitake mushrooms
  • 2 Chinese sausages finely diced
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 lb raw shrimp shelled, de-veined, cut in half
  • 1 handful garlic chives cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup neutral oil for pan frying

Dipping Sauce

  • 2 tbsp sambal
  • 6 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp water

Instructions

Prepare Batter

  • Rehydrate dried mushrooms. Soak mushrooms in hot boiling water. Cover and soak for at least 1 hour. Turn after 30 minutes to ensure even soaking. Then wash mushrooms to remove any dirt. Discard stems. Then dice mushroom caps and set aside.
  • Heat skillet on high. When it the oil has thinned, add in mushrooms and sausage. Saute for 2 minutes, then add garlic and soy sauce. Saute another 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
  • Mix glutinous rice flour, rice flour, water, salt, and sesame oil. Then add in shrimp and garlic chives into the rice flour mixture.
  • Add in cooled mushroom and sausage mixture.
  • Mix the batter until all ingredients are incorporated. Allow mixture to sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to allow flour to fully hydrate.

Fry Pancakes

  • To fry pancakes, heat a medium skillet on high heat. Add in 1 tbsp oil. When oil becomes shimmery, add in 2-3 cups of batter. Make sure to mix it right before ladling some into the skillet. Allow it to fry for 6-7 minutes on each side, until both sides are golden brown and crispy. Repeat this step until you have used up all the batter.
  • Serve hot with dipping sauce.

Dipping Sauce

  • Mix together sambal, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and water. Set aside.
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Shrimp and Cheesy Grits https://jennskitchendiary.com/shrimp-and-cheesy-grits/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=shrimp-and-cheesy-grits https://jennskitchendiary.com/shrimp-and-cheesy-grits/#comments Thu, 29 Jun 2023 05:13:59 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=976 There are so many recipes for cajun shrimp and grits. I remember eating such delicious, […]

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There are so many recipes for cajun shrimp and grits. I remember eating such delicious, flavorful, and spicy food when I visited New Orleans. The loud, bombastic flavors tantalized my taste buds and left me satisfied and happy. I believe that THAT is the essence of comfort food. If you cannot take a trip to New Orleans or the South for some real southern food, you can bring the South to you with this recipe for shrimp and cheesy grits. Hope you enjoy this recipe for a Sunday brunch or decadent dinner.

How to not overcook shrimp

Overcooking shrimp is a common kitchen mistake. It leaves the shrimp with a dry rubbery texture. For this dish, you only need to sear both sides quickly and then finish off the cooking in the sauce. That way the shrimp will not overcook.

How to keep my butter from burning

When sauteing in butter, always add a splash of olive oil or other oil with a higher burning point. Butter burns at lower temperatures, which makes it unsuitable for sauteing or frying on its own.

What goes well with seafood?

Leek, garlic, and shallot are seafood’s friends! Use these aromatic veggies in most of your dishes and it will help you level up your cooking game!

What is a shortcut for cooking cheesy grits?

Cooking grits from scratch can take 45 minutes to an hour and requires frequent stirring. Use pre-made polenta as a shortcut for grits. Grits and polenta are almost the same thing, but just go by different names. Usually pre-made polenta is sold at stores in a roll. You can slice it up and add milk, cream, cheese, and butter to make it into creamy cheesy grits.

For more brunch ideas, check out my Easy Brunch Ideas recipes.

shrimp and cheesy grits
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Shrimp and Cheesy Grits

Creamy cheesy grits topped with cajun shrimp
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American, Southern
Keyword cheesy grits, shrimp and grits
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

Cajun Rub

  • 1 pinch red pepper flake
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp Lawry's seasoned salt

Shrimp

  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 2 lb Shrimp
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • ¼ onion diced
  • 1/2 bunch scallion thinly sliced
  • 6 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tsp flour
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp soy sauce

Cheesy Grits

  • 2 rolls pre-cooked polenta thinly sliced
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 tbsp butter
  • 1 cup aged white cheddar grated
  • 1 tbsp sugar

Instructions

Grits

  • Heat chicken broth and sliced cooked polenta in a pot. Bring to a boil and then lower fire to low heat. Cook for 15 minutes until polenta has softened. Use a whisk to break the polenta apart and incorporate it into the liquid until it has a smooth creamy consistency.
  • Then add cream, grated cheese, and sugar. Mix well into grits. Use a whisk to work out any clumps and ensure that the grits are smooth.
  • Continue cooking until the grits have thickened and the excess liquid has evaporated. The desired texture should be that of runny mashed potatoes. When your grits have reached this stage, check for seasonings and add salt to taste.

Shrimp in Cream Sauce

  • Devein, clean, and pat dry shrimp. Then mix with Cajun rub and set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet on high heat. Add in oil. When oil is hot and shimmery, sear shrimp in 3 batches, making sure to keep space in between the shrimp. Sear shrimp until both sides are just golden brown and the inside is just cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside. Repeat for the next 2 batches, adding in extra oil to the pan before each batch.
  • After shrimp is removed from the pan, add oil. Keep heat on medium. Then add aromatic vegetables: garlic, onion, and green onion. Sauté and sweat until the vegetables have just softened, about 5 minutes. Then add in butter and flour. Cook on medium heat until flour is slightly brown and nutty.
  • Then add cream and chicken broth to the pan. Mix well into the flour mixture. Then add in Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce. Allow to cook on medium for 2-3 minutes until the sauce reduces and becomes thick. Add in shrimp and cook together for just 1 minute. Check for seasoning and add salt, pepper, and/or red pepper flake as needed.
  • Take shrimp off of heat and serve on top of grits.
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Gambas al Ajillo https://jennskitchendiary.com/gambas-al-ajillo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gambas-al-ajillo https://jennskitchendiary.com/gambas-al-ajillo/#respond Tue, 30 May 2023 18:39:00 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=3983 Spanish tapas are super delicious, but can be very expensive. Also, as a working mom […]

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Spanish tapas are super delicious, but can be very expensive. Also, as a working mom with a young child, it is hard to eat out at restaurants. So many things to pack and so many behavioral issues to deal with. I usually try to avoid it to give myself an easier day. So my solution is to learn to make it in the comfort of your home. These gambas al ajillo are quick, easy, and packed with flavor. Just add some crusty bread for dipping of yummy buttery sauces!

gambas al ajillo
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Gambas al Ajillo

Spanish style garlic shrimp with saffron and paprika
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Spanish
Keyword gambas al ajo, garlic shrimp, tapas
Servings 2 people

Ingredients

  • 1 lb large shrimp
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/2 tsp garlic salt
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp granulated garlic
  • 1 pinch saffron
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 lemon juiced

Instructions

  • Heat a pan on medium high heat. Then add in butter to allow to melt.
  • Saute butter with garlic, paprika, and saffron for 1 minute.
  • Then add in shrimp. Saute another 4 minutes until slightly pink.
  • Add in garlic salt and granulated garlic. Then add in white wine. Simmer on low heat for 2 minutes. Then add in lemon juice and mix thoroughly. Serve immediately.
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Easy Miso Hotpot https://jennskitchendiary.com/easy-miso-hotpot/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=easy-miso-hotpot https://jennskitchendiary.com/easy-miso-hotpot/#respond Tue, 30 May 2023 18:01:17 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=3977 Who doesn’t love a full hotpot setup? It’s interactive, very fun. You dip and cook […]

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Who doesn’t love a full hotpot setup? It’s interactive, very fun. You dip and cook items as you eat. But sometimes, you don’t have the time or energy to deal with all the cleanup. So enter this recipe for an easy miso hotpot. You cook everything all at once in a big pot, and essentially have a big bowl of warm soupy goodness. No fuss from cooking as you go. I love this as an easy weeknight dinner.

What Goes Into Hotpot?

  • Flavorful Broth
  • An assortment of vegetables: napa cabbage, bok choy, yu choy
  • An assortment of proteins: thinly sliced meats, quick cooking seafood
Easy Miso Hotpot
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Easy Miso Hotpot

Miso soup hotpot with beef, shrimp, mushrooms, and vegetables
Course Main Course
Cuisine Chinese
Keyword miso soup hotpot, mixed hotpot, seafood hotpot
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 2 quarts low sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tbsp miso paste
  • 2 tsp instant dashi
  • 1 quart water
  • 1 head Napa cabbage chopped into 1 inch pieces
  • 1 bunch enoki mushroom washed, ends cut off, and separated into small sections
  • 3 trumpet mushrooms washed and thinly sliced
  • 1 package firm tofu cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1 lb shrimp
  • 2 lbs thinly sliced beef
  • 1 bunch mung bean glass noodles

Dipping Sauce

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup chili crisp
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp white vinegar

Instructions

  • Using a whisk, whisk in miso paste into 1/2 cup of hot water. When the miso paste is well dissolved, add into a large pot. Add in the chicken broth, instant dashi, and the rest of the water. Bring the pot of soup to a boil. Taste for seasoning and add salt, instant dashi, or fish sauce, or miso paste as needed.
  • When the broth comes to a boil, add in all of the napa cabbage. Simmer on medium for another 5 minutes. After the cabbage softens, add in trumpet mushrooms and enoki mushrooms. Allow to cook on medium heat another 5 minutes until mushrooms are cooked through.
  • Then add in shrimp, tofu cubes, and glass noodles and simmer for another 5 minutes on medium heat.
  • Lastly add in the thinly sliced beef and allow to cook through for another 30 seconds. Serve immediately.
  • Mix together dipping sauce: soy sauce, chili crisp, sugar, and vinegar. Dip each hotpot item into the dipping sauce and enjoy.
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Steamed Fish with Black Bean Sauce https://jennskitchendiary.com/steamed-fish-with-black-bean-sauce/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=steamed-fish-with-black-bean-sauce https://jennskitchendiary.com/steamed-fish-with-black-bean-sauce/#respond Tue, 30 May 2023 17:51:59 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=3971 A classic Cantonese dish with fish that is easy and super fast. This steamed fish […]

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A classic Cantonese dish with fish that is easy and super fast. This steamed fish with black bean sauce will wow you with its punchy umami flavor. It is healthy, no fuss, and is ready within 15 minutes. You can add silken tofu to the base if you want to add another dimension to the dish.

steamed fish with black bean sauce
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Steamed Fish with Black Bean Sauce

A classic Cantonese steamed fish with black bean sauce
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cantonese, Chinese
Keyword black bean sauce steamed fish, Cantonese steamed fish, fish
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients

  • 2 fish filets striped bass or barramundi
  • 1 tsp sesame oil
  • 2 tsp garlic black bean paste
  • 1 tbsp ginger thinly sliced into matchsticks
  • 1 tbsp xiaoxing wine
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 block silken tofu optional

Instructions

  • Fill a steamer pot with water and heat on high heat until water is boiling.
  • Mix together the black bean sauce: sesame oil, black bean paste, ginger, xiaoxing wine, and sugar. Set aside.
  • Place fish filets on a small plate that can fit inside the steamer. Optional: add slices of silken tofu on the bottom of the plate. Then spread the sauce evenly onto the surface of the fish filets.
  • Place the plate of fish onto the steamer basket. Close the lid and steam 8-10 minutes depending on thickness of fish. Check the fish after about 8 minutes. Poke the fish lightly to see its juices. The fish is done with the juices run clear.
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Crab stuffed shrimp https://jennskitchendiary.com/crab-stuffed-shrimp/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=crab-stuffed-shrimp https://jennskitchendiary.com/crab-stuffed-shrimp/#respond Mon, 29 May 2023 16:20:36 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=3932 I love making steakhouse classics at home. One of these classics is a crab stuffed […]

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I love making steakhouse classics at home. One of these classics is a crab stuffed shrimp dish, topped with buttery crispy breadcrumbs. This is definitely a luxurious dish, but you pay only a fraction of the cost because you are making it at home. And the best part? You can stuff your shrimp as full as you want.

Pair this with a delicious steak and creamy cheesy mashed potatoes, and you’ve got a full steakhouse dinner.

crab stuffed shrimp
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Crab Stuffed Shrimp

A steakhouse style crab-stuffed shrimp topped with buttery crispy breadcrumbs.
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword crab stuffed shrimp, stuffed shrimp
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients

  • 12 pieces jumbo shrimp butterflied in half length-wise
  • 1 tsp oil

Crab Mixture

  • 1 cup crab meat
  • 1/2 cup regular bread crumbs
  • 1/4 onion finely chopped
  • 1 stalk celery finely chopped
  • 1 tbsp whole milk
  • 1/2 tsp old bay seasoning
  • 1/4 tsp seasoned salt
  • 1/2 lemon zest only
  • 1 egg

Buttered Breadcrumbs

  • 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

Prepare Shrimp

  • Butterfly shrimp by cutting it lengthwise in half, being careful to keep the two halves slightly connected by not cutting all the way.

Crab Mixture

  • Gently mix together crab meat, regular bread crumbs, onion, celery, milk, old bay seasoning, seasoned salt, lemon zest, and egg. Set aside.

Buttered Breadcrumbs

  • Melt butter and mix thoroughly with bread crumbs. Set aside.

Putting it all together

  • Line a baking sheet and spread a teaspoon oil on its surface.
  • Place the shrimp onto the baking sheet, making sure that both halves of the butterflied shrimp are spread flat onto the baking sheet. Then top each piece of shrimp with about 2 tsp of the crab mixture. Use your hands to pat down the crab mixture so that it sticks onto the shrimp.
  • Top each piece of stuffed shrimp with the buttered breadcrumbs.
  • Bake at 350 degrees 7-10 minutes until crab mixture is cooked through.
  • Then broil at 300 degrees for 2-3 mins until golden brown.
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Creamy Shrimp and Corn Bisque https://jennskitchendiary.com/creamy-shrimp-and-corn-bisque/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=creamy-shrimp-and-corn-bisque https://jennskitchendiary.com/creamy-shrimp-and-corn-bisque/#respond Sun, 21 May 2023 14:59:00 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=3887 Ever wonder what to do with a bunch of shrimp shells? Make a shrimp broth […]

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Ever wonder what to do with a bunch of shrimp shells? Make a shrimp broth and turn it into this creamy shrimp and corn bisque. I love the bursts of sweetness from the fresh sweet corn, as well as the crunchiness from the little bits of celery.

I have to thank Emeril Lagasse for inspiring this recipe. He is my childhood celebrity chef hero and I finally got to eat at his restaurants in 2012 and in 2019. His restaurant served a version of shrimp bisque that changed my world. I loved how he incorporated little crunchy bits of goodies in his shrimp bisque. Kept things interesting with different textures to contrast the creaminess.

creamy shrimp and corn bisque
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Creamy Shrimp and Corn Bisque

Creamy shrimp bisque with bits of corn and plump shrimp.
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Keyword shrimp and corn bisque, shrimp bisque
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Servings 6 people

Ingredients

  • 1 quart water
  • shells of 2 lbs of shrimp
  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 onion finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery finely chopped
  • 2 carrots peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup white wine
  • 1 tbsp Penzey's seafood base
  • 1 quart low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp Lawry's seasoned salt
  • 1 pinch saffron
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 ears corn corn kernels cut
  • 1 stalk celery finely chopped; reserve for later
  • 1 lb shrimp rough chopped

Instructions

  • Peel shrimp. Save shrimp shells for the shrimp broth. Put away 1 lb of shrimp for later use and set aside 1 lb of shrimp for the bisque.
  • Heat 1 quart of water until boiling. Add in shrimp shells. Boil on medium high for 30 minutes.
  • Place a large stockpot on high heat. Add in oil. Add in onion, the 2 stalks of finely chopped celery, and carrots and saute 5 minutes. Add in garlic and tomato paste. Saute 1 more minute.
  • Then add in white wine and seafood base. Mix well for 1 minute. Then add chicken broth and seafood base. Add in shrimp stock, chicken stock, Old Bay seasoning, Lawry's seasoned salt, and saffron. Simmer for 20 minutes until vegetables are completely softened.
  • Blend the soup in a blender until completely smooth. Then add in heavy whipping cream. Place in corn and simmer for 8 minutes. Then add shrimp and cook for 5 minutes until just cooked through. Add the 1 stalk of finely chopped celery. Adjust for seasoning and serve immediately.
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Ca Kho To -Vietnamese Caramelized Braised Fish https://jennskitchendiary.com/ca-kho-to-vietnamese-caramelized-braised-fish/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ca-kho-to-vietnamese-caramelized-braised-fish https://jennskitchendiary.com/ca-kho-to-vietnamese-caramelized-braised-fish/#respond Wed, 19 Oct 2022 03:39:23 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=953 Growing up, my aunt would make delicious Vietnamese food for us for Sunday dinners. It […]

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Growing up, my aunt would make delicious Vietnamese food for us for Sunday dinners. It was akin to the Sunday roast dinner that many American families have, but rather than a huge roast, we would have specialty dishes that required lots of time and preparation. This ca kho to dish, a Vietnamese caramelized braised catfish, was usually part of the spread we would have. I have lost count of how many times I’ve watched my aunt cooking this dish.

With the widespread popularity of pho and eggrolls being the ambassador foods of Vietnamese cuisine, many equally delicious Vietnamese dishes have been hidden in their shadow. My family actually never made pho at home because of how time and labor intensive it is. Ca kho to, however, is relatively easy and quick to make and packs such a punch of flavor. There are recipes that utilize a pre-made caramel sauce. I am going to challenge my readers to make their own caramel. It is such an easy and cheap product to make; yet its ready-made versions are often overpriced at grocery stores. So, have a little faith in yourself, and give caramel a try! Once you master this skill, you can make caramel sauces for desserts, caramel candies, and even caramel sugar art if you are extra ambitious.

What fish do I use for ca kho to?

The dish is traditionally made with catfish. But if you are not a fan of catfish, like me, you can opt for another white fish that has a meaty firm texture. For this recipe, I used perch, which was available at my local Asian grocery store. Tilapia would be another good option.

Try to buy your fish at the Asian grocery store because they have fresher fish, often even live fish. They often offer fish cleaning and cutting services, which saves you lots of time and unnecessary mess in your kitchen. Have your butcher cut the fish into steaks, as boneless filets will easily fall apart in the braising process.

How do I make caramel sauce?

Make caramel by melting and browning sugar in your pan. Then use fresh coconut water from a young coconut if possible (water from a brown coconut is no good). This will make a delicious caramel sauce base for ca kho to. Of course, you want to add fish sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, and soy sauce as well.

For other homey Vietnamese dishes, check out my Bun Rieu recipe, a tomato based crab noodle soup dish.

Vietnamese Braised Fish Ka Kho
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Ca Kho To Vietnamese Caramelized Braised Fish

Recipe Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Serves: 4
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Vietnamese
Keyword ca kho to, caramelized braised fish, Vietnamese braised fish
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup fresh coconut water
  • 1 tbsp xiaoxing wine
  • 1 tbsp butter unsalted
  • 1 onion thinly sliced
  • 1 tbsp fish sauce
  • 2 tbsp oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp dark soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp reduced sodium soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 clove garlic finely chopped
  • 2 lb fish steaks cut into 2-inch thick pieces
  • 1/4 cup fried shallots store-bought
  • 1 bunch green onion chopped

Instructions

  • Place sugar into a saucepan on medium-high heat. Allow sugar to melt. Mix sugar crystals with melted sugar to ensure an even caramel. Continue heating until melted sugar becomes a medium brown caramel color.
  • Then add coconut water, xiaoxing wine, butter, fish sauce, oyster sauce, dark soy sauce, soy sauce, and garlic. Mix well. The sugar will become solid, but will eventually dissolve again. Continue mixing and add in onions and garlic. Mix well and continue boiling on high heat until the sauce reduces to the point where it can coat the back of a wooden spoon (~10 minutes)
  • Then add in fish steaks into the sauce. Cover with lid. Braise for 5 minutes each side, depending on thickness of fish. After 5 minutes of cooking, baste the tops and sides of fish with sauce. Flip fish once. Do not turn too much. Then cover lid again and braise on medium high another 5 minutes.
  • If sauce becomes too sticky add more coconut water or water.
  • Allow catfish to braise in the sauce until sauce is thickened and easily coats a wooden spoon.
  • Adjust seasonings to taste: by adding in a splash of water, oyster sauce, fish sauce, or sugar.
  • Garnish with fried shallots and green onion and serve with white rice. Enjoy!
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Vietnamese Spicy Garlic Shrimp https://jennskitchendiary.com/vietnamese-spicy-garlic-shrimp/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vietnamese-spicy-garlic-shrimp https://jennskitchendiary.com/vietnamese-spicy-garlic-shrimp/#comments Tue, 06 Sep 2022 19:45:47 +0000 https://jennskitchendiary.com/?p=3010 Vietnamese Spicy Garlic Shrimp: A Tale of 2 Cities in Multicultural Cooking To be honest, […]

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Vietnamese Spicy Garlic Shrimp: A Tale of 2 Cities in Multicultural Cooking

To be honest, I am not even sure if this Vietnamese spicy garlic shrimp is an authentic Vietnamese dish. Also, what exactly is an authentic, purist dish? All cultures influence one another, from mein/pasta to dumplings/ravioli. So many parallels exist in our cooking techniques all around the world. Rather than trying to claim ownership of the origin of a food, maybe we can shift our focus to marvel a the shared histories that many of our foods have across the world. That would bring a sense of community and commonality rather than one of separation and differences.

Vietnam was colonized by France from the late 1800s to the mid 1950s. which is what brought about the fusion of these two cuisines. Although I cannot deny the injustices suffered by countries that were colonized by western empires, I can at least find a silver lining in the interesting fusion of cuisines that this cultural blending created. Because of France’s influence in Vietnam, you will often see Vietnamese sandwiches featuring a version of French bread and pates. Vietnamese cuisine has its version of headcheese and uses butter in stir fries. A popular dessert is flan, a cousin of the famous French egg custard dessert creme brulee.

This Vietnamese spicy garlic shrimp recipe is definitely kissed by the French, with the presence of sweet butter. Aha, colonialism explains yet another culinary phenomenon. Butter provides a delicious richness to the sauce, which then mingles with the juices of the shrimp, creating an amazing burst of flavor when you bite into each shrimp. Thank you, France, for the helpful culinary addition.

Cooking Restaurant-Quality Food at Home

One of the main differences between home-cooked food and restaurant food is the amount of seasonings one puts in. I remember my family ordering this dish at Vietnamese restaurants every single visit. There’s a reason for it-trust me. It’s so complex and delicious, with its buttery, garlicky, spicy, and sweet flavor profiles. So much umami and so much yum!

So I wanted to recreate and share with others so they can enjoy the beauty of this dish. If you want to create restaurant-quality food, there’s one simple strategy: season, season, season. Don’t hold back on your seasonings!

For more delicious Vietnamese dishes, check out my Vietnamese Spring Rolls.

Other delicious Asian recipes you can check out are: Chinese Sticky Rice with Preserved Meats, Thai Papaya Salad, Chinese Mapo Tofu, Basil and Beef Stir Fry

The Importance of Balance in Vietnamese Spicy Garlic Shrimp

The flavors in this spicy garlic shrimp recipe are well-balanced: you’ve got sweet from the sugar, savory from the butter, fish sauce, and oyster sauce, spicy from the chile, and umami from the fish sauce and oyster sauce. The aromatics add another layer of richness and complexity to this dish. You can’t go wrong when you’re using garlic, shallots, and green onion in my book!

Cooking Shrimp with Shell On

I remember that garlic shrimp dish we would order at restaurants would come to our table blazing hot from the wok. The shrimp was surrounded on all sides by yummy stir-fried aromatics (garlic, shallot, and green onion). I remember biting into each delectable shrimp and feeling so grateful to be alive to enjoy that burst of delicious juice exploding from the shell. As soon as the juice filled my mouth, its flavors would meld with hints of sweet shallot and aromatic garlic, adding a fullness of flavor and umami to the whole experience. Folks, there is really something magical about eating shrimp that has been cooked with their shells on!

For other shrimp ideas, check out my creamy shrimp and leek recipe

Price Comparison

How much did I spend on this spicy garlic shrimp dish? Shrimp ($11), green onion ($.75), shallot ($1), butter ($1), jalapeno ($.75), garlic ($.33), fish sauce ($.25), oyster sauce ($.50). This made 4 servings. All the other spices I already had lying around and are very inexpensive, especially if you are buying them in bulk. I will be realistic and recognize that a restaurant dish probably serves 2 whereas mine served 4. So I will do the math accordingly to be a price breakdown per 2 servings.

Restaurant ($16-19) vs. Home-made ($7.79)

You pay more than double if you choose to order a stir-fried shrimp dish at a restaurant. I encourage you to be a smart consumer and to make shrimp at home. I recognize that time is of the essence, but you will be bleeding money if you consistently order out for shrimp instead of making it yourself.

Happy cooking!

 

Vietnamese Spicy Garlic Shrimp
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Vietnamese Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Spicy, buttery, garlic shrimp dish that is popular in Vietnamese restaurants.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Asian
Keyword Asian, seafood, shrimp, umami, Vietnamese
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 shallots finely chopped
  • 1 red jalapeno sliced
  • 1 tsp red pepper flake
  • 1 head garlic finely chopped
  • 2 lb shrimp shells on
  • 2 tbsp black pepper freshly grated
  • 1/4 cup fish sauce
  • 1/4 cup oyster sauce
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 green onion chopped

Instructions

  • Rinse shrimp and leave to drain in a colander.
  • Meanwhile, begin prepping aromatics and ingredients.
  • Heat a large frying pan on medium. Add olive oil and butter to pan and allow butter to melt. Add in shallot, and red jalapeno into frying pan. Allow to sauté for 3-5 minutes until shallots soften. Then add red pepper flake and garlic and sauté on medium 2-3 minutes, or until garlic becomes golden in color.
  • Immediately after your garlic turns slightly golden, add in shrimp, turn fire on high, and saute shrimp until they become pink and cooked through ~5-7 minutes. Stir constantly to allow even cooking. Add in pepper to taste.
  • Meanwhile, combine fish sauce, oyster sauce, water, and sugar. Mix together the sauce to make sure sugar is dissolved. Then add to the shrimp when they are just about cooked through. Adjust seasonings to taste: by adding in a splash of water, oyster sauce, fish sauce, black pepper, or sugar.
  • Mix in green onion and cook for another minute until green onion is slightly softened. Serve in pan with lots of fresh lemons and white rice or crusty French bread.
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