Gamberi Margherita
con polenta
{Shrimp in cream sauce with polenta}
serves 4
CHEFS PRESS
(Source: Cicciotti's Kithchen Cookbook by Chef Gaetano Cicciotti, photo by Mike Pawlenty)
8 cleaned, peeled, tail-on jumbo shrimp
Flour for coating
2 tablespoons good-quality olive oil
½ cup finely chopped yellow onion
Optional for richer sauce: ½ teaspoon lobster or shrimp base or bouillon (see resources page 96)
Splash of good brandy
1 cup heavy cream
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Garnish: Fresh basil
Coat shrimp lightly with flour. Set aside. In a large frying pan over medium heat, sautรฉ onion in olive oil until golden brown. If using, add lobster base, then sautรฉ shrimp
for about 2 minutes per side, until they turn red. Add splash of brandy and flame it. Once alcohol has burned off and flame has subsided, stir in heavy cream. Cook for
2 more minutes. Do not overcook. Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
To make polenta: Follow cooking directions on package of instant polenta, plus add
ฤฑ cup whole milk to cooking water as you whisk in polenta. Once polenta begins to
thicken, stir in 4 tablespoons Gorgonzola, 3 tablespoons butter, ½ cup heavy cream
and ¼ cup whole milk. Let cool.
To serve: Pack polenta in buttered espresso cup or other mold. Turn cup upside down
on plate to release polenta. Serve 2 shrimp per person with sauce. Top with fresh basil.