RECIPE

Pan-Seared Shrimp with Hot Chorizo Butter

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4

Chorizo makes this shrimp smoky and moderately hot. The spectacular Spanish paprika called pimentón picante adds another layer of smoke and spice.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME:
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST
  • MAKE-AHEAD

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 2 hot chorizo sausages (5 ounces)
    2. 1 stick (4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
    3. 2 scallions, coarsely chopped
    4. 3/4 teaspoon pimentón picante (see Note) or hot paprika
    5. Salt
    6. 1 3/4 pounds medium shrimp, shelled and deveined
    7. 3 tablespoons brandy
    8. 2 tablespoons water
    9. Lemon wedges and crusty bread, for serving

Directions

  1. In a small saucepan, cover the chorizo with water and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderate heat for 5 minutes, then drain. Thinly slice 1 of the sausages and finely chop the other.
  2. In a medium bowl, blend the butter with the scallions, pimentón and chopped chorizo and season with salt.
  3. In a large skillet, cook the sliced chorizo over very low heat until the fat is rendered, about 4 minutes. Add the shrimp and cook over moderate heat until barely pink, about 2 minutes per side. Add the brandy, tip the skillet and, using a long match, carefully ignite the brandy. When the flames die down, add the chorizo butter and cook, stirring, until just melted, about 2 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the water to make a creamy sauce.
  4. Transfer the shrimp and sauce to a shallow serving dish and garnish with the lemon wedges. Serve at once with crusty bread.

Make Ahead

The chorizo butter can be frozen for up to 1 month.

Notes

Pimentón picante can be mail-ordered from the Spanish Table, 206-682-2827; www.tablespan.com