Rice and Shrimp

Seafood is a must in Peruvian cuisine. Lima, the capital, is on the coast of Peru. Naturally, a main source of food comes from the ocean. I love all things seafood. There are many variations of this typical arroz con camarones (rice and shrimp) dish, but this particular recipe is my favorite to cook and eat. I love the smell of the herbs mixed with the shrimp. Also, this recipe is easy to make and it is elegant enough for any dinner party. I usually make a sauce to go with it. I have added the recipe for the sauce as well.

The ingredients serve 4 people

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of rice
• 1/4 bar of butter
• 1 red bell pepper diced fine
• 3 roma tomatoes diced fine
• 1 can of tomatoe sauce
• 1 1/2 tbs of paprika (or aji colorado)
• 1/2 tsp of oregano
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup of white or red wine
• 1 pound of shrimp
• 3 tbs freshly chopped cilantro
• 1 cup of chicken broth
• 1/2 onion diced fine
• 1/2 tsp garlic
• 3 tbs vegetable oil
• Salt

How to make it: Shrimp cooks very fast, so you want to have your rice ready when you start cooking this dish. Otherwise, the shrimp will overcook and it will become hard. Make the rice however you know how. I have a rice cooker so all I have to do is add the rice and water. While the water is boiling, add the butter and mix well so that it melts with the rice. While the rice cooks, chop the bell pepper and tomatoes in tiny small cubes. One your rice is ready, your are ready to go ;)

 In a pot or a large wok, heat the oil. Add the onions, garlic and paprika. Saute the onions over medium heat until translucent (1 or 2 mins). Add the tomatoes, bell pepper, bay leaves, oregano and cook 5 minutes or so. Add wine and mix well for another 2 minutes. Let all the flavors mix and come together. Add the shrimp and mix until the shrimp starts turning pink. Add the rice and tomatoe sauce. Mix well making sure the rice has gotten some color and is no longer white. Add the chicken broth and cilantro. Mix, taste and add salt if needed. The consistency should be creamy and moist. If your rice is dry, add more chicken broth and/or tomatoe sauce.

To accompany this dish, I always serve it with a sauce that I created :)

You need: 

• 3 big tbs of Mayonnaise
• 1 tsp of Mustard
• 1 tbs of red wine vinegar
• 1 tbs of rosemary
• 1tsp of salt

Mix all the ingredients until you have a smooth sauce. Taste and add more salt if needed. I have been asked for the recipe of the shrimp and the recipe of the sauce, so you wont regret making this dish.

Enjoy!