Recipes Shrimp with Saffron Rice and Fennel Salad 5.0 (1,730) Add your rating & review At Abattoir in Atlanta, chef Joshua Hopkins uses Sharifi's saffron and Aleppo pepper in this decadent, Carolina-style shrimp with rice that would qualify as a stunt-double for shrimp 'n' grits. More Delicious Shrimp Dishes By Joshua Hopkins Updated on June 14, 2017 Print Rate It Share Share Tweet Pin Email Photo: © Con Poulos Active Time: 1 hrs Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins Yield: 4 Ingredients 1 cup Carolina Gold or arborio rice 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 16 large shrimp (1 pound)—shelled and deveined, shells reserved 1 large fennel bulb, quartered—one quarter finely chopped, three-quarters thinly sliced on a mandoline 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 celery rib, finely chopped 1 medium carrot, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, smashed 1 teaspoon fennel seeds 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper or 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/2 cup semisweet white wine, such as Riesling 3 cups chicken stock 1/2 cup heavy cream Pinch of saffron threads, crumbled Salt and freshly ground black pepper 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into tablespoons 1 scallion, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon chopped thyme Directions Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add the rice and cook, stirring a few times, until just al dente, 16 minutes. Drain well. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat the oil. Add the shrimp shells; cook over moderately high heat, stirring often, until beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the chopped fennel, onion, celery, carrot, garlic, fennel seeds and Aleppo pepper and cook over moderately high heat, stirring often, until the onion is golden, about 6 minutes. Add the wine and boil until almost evaporated. Add 2 cups of the chicken stock and simmer over moderate heat for 12 minutes. Strain. In another medium saucepan, combine the cream with the saffron, 1/2 cup of the shrimp stock and the remaining 1 cup of chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Add the parboiled rice and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until the sauce has thickened and the grains are tender, about 3 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, cover and remove from the heat. In a large skillet, bring the remaining shrimp stock to a simmer. Add the shrimp and cook over moderately low heat, turning once, until pink and curled, about 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in 4 tablespoons of the butter, 1 tablespoon at a time. Season with salt and black pepper. In a small bowl, toss the sliced fennel and scallion with the lemon juice and season with salt and black pepper. Rewarm the rice and stir in the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter. Transfer the rice to shallow bowls. Spoon the shrimp and sauce over the rice. Top with the fennel salad, garnish with the thyme and serve. Make Ahead The shrimp stock can be refrigerated overnight. Suggested Pairing This fragrant take on shrimp and grits is perfect with a full-bodied white, like Chardonnay that's been aged in oak barrels, which give the wine richness. Rate it Print