Shrimp Jambalaya

Shrimp Jambalaya

Key word here is shrimp, for any Jambalaya experts, there is many ways to prepare Jambalaya. This recipe is in 2 parts, 1 to make the shrimp stock, and 2, to make the Jambalaya. This does sound good!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 31 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp Broth

  • shells, tails, and heads, from your 500 grams of shrimp
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1/2 onion, just half an onion, no need to chop this
  • 1 stalk celery, import, chopped into large chunks
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 3 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 5 cups water

For the Jambalaya

  • 500 grams shrimp, the ones you peeled and cleaned
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 2 stalks celery, import, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 green bell pepper, chopped
  • 1 bunch spring onions, chopped, green and white parts seperated
  • 2 links smoked sausage, sliced
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry white rice
  • 1 can whole peeled tomatoes, chopped, juice reserved for a drink for yourself
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • pinch cayenne pepper
  • 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • salt, to taste

Instructions
 

For the Shrimp Broth

  • Remove the shells and tails from the shrimp and put the shells and tails in a pot with 5 cups of water. If the shrimp have heads, remove and add those to the pot as well. Clean and devein the shrimp and refrigerate until ready to use to make the Jambalaya.
  • Same pot, add the remaining shrimp broth ingredients minus the water and bring to a high simmer and then lower the heat to maintain a low simmer. Cook until the water has reduced by about a third, 20 to 30 minutes. Let the broth cool completely and then strain, you should have about 3 cups of broth, if you have less than 3 cups, add enough water to make up the difference.

For the Jambalaya

  • Now heat the butter in a large non stick skillet over medium heat, then add the flour and use a whisk to constantly stir until the mixture is combined, then add the bell pepper, white part of the spring onion, sausage, tomato paste, onion, celery, garlic, 2 bay leaves and a 1 teaspoon of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes (add splashes of your shrimp broth if the mixture sticks at all). Add the rice and stir to coat.
  • Pour in the remaining broth, chopped tomatoes, thyme, cayenne, half the spring onion green parts, and salt to taste. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Adjust the heat to low, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Add the shrimp, cover and continue to cook until the rice is tender and the shrimp are cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes more. Remove the bay leaves. Sprinkle the top of the Jambalaya with the parsley and remaining spring onion green parts. Serve with hot sauce if desired.

Notes

500 grams of shrimp, say medium whites will cost about 70 Baht. The sausage might cost 50 Baht for 2 links. For 4 servings this is about 88 cents per serving.
Provided courtesy of good friends, Garland Davis, US Navy Cook (Ret).
United States.
Squid Macaroni

Squid Macaroni

Adapted from an internet recipe.
Sounds tasty! This is a cheater version of the Greek dish called Macarontha, which is squid in a tomato sauce served over macaroni pasta and topped with sheep's cheese. I'll pass on that type of cheese however. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Greek
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 250 grams dry macaroni, (8 oz)
  • 500 grams squid, cleaned inside and out, skin removed, (1 lb)
  • 4 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2½ cups tomato puree, Shortcut
  • ¼ cup dry white wine
  • juice from ½ lemon
  • 1 stick cinnamon, broken in half, OR use ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 bay leaves
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • Parmesan cheese, grated, for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cook macaroni in a pot of boiling water until tender, drain and set aside.
  • In a small saucepan, boil the squid in cups of water mixed with the red wine vinegar for 4-5 minutes. Drain, cut into rings, reserve the tentacles and set aside.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large heavy non stick skillet. Cook the onion and garlic until onion is tender but not brown. Stir in the squid and cook for 2 more minutes. Pour in the tomato puree, white wine, and lemon juice. Season with cinnamon stick, bay leaves, oregano, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat and simmer partially covered for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from heat, remove the bay leaves and cinnamon stick pieces then mix in the macaroni. Serve with Parmesan cheese for topping.

Notes

Squid will run about 100 Baht/500 grams, for 4 servings this is about 74 cents per serving.
Shortcut: Tomato Puree.
Orange Shrimp & Broccoli with Rice

Orange Shrimp & Broccoli with Rice

Sounds really good and is made along side and served on top of a light garlic sesame fried rice. The recipe I found included how to cook rice, we'll skip that, make use of your rice cooker.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Shrimp & Broccoli

  • 750 grams white shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed (or any shrimp you want)
  • 3 cups fresh broccoli, cut into bite size pieces, include stem
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 cup orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 teaspoon corn starch
  • 2 tablespoons spring onion, sliced, use the green and white parts
  • 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
  • salt and pepper, to taste

For the Rice

  • 4-6 cups cooked white rice
  • 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons white sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • salt, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat a large non stick pan over medium high heat, add the broccoli along with 2 tablespoons of water and cook for about 5 minutes or until broccoli is tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste and remove when cooked and place in a large bowl and set aside.
  • Same pan, wipe out any water and the 2 teaspoons of olive oil and heat that up on medium heat, then add the shrimp in a single layer (cook in batches if needed) and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. After the shrimp is cooked, remove and place in the bowl with the broccoli, toss together lightly, and set aside.
  • Same pan, wipe out any of the olive oil and add the orange juice, soy sauce, and sugar. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook until the mixture has reduce to about half. Mix the corn starch with 2 teaspoons of cold water and add that mixture to the pan and mix and bring to a boil or until the sauce has thickened. Pour the sauce over the broccoli and shrimp and toss to coat. Cover with foil to keep warm.
  • To make the fried rice heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the cooked rice, sesame oil, and sesame seeds to the pan and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  • To serve, place some rice and ladle the broccoli and shrimp mixture over the top. Garnish with sliced spring onion and sesame seeds.

Notes

White shrimp at Tesco will about 210 Baht/750 grams. For 4 servings this is about $1.54 per serving. High cost but would be nice for a once in a while meal. If you can source the shrimp local ever lower cost.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Shrimp Scampi

Shrimp Scampi

I like shrimp, and I love shrimp in butter, this sounds like a winner. Serve with a salad or over pasta for a complete meal. On my to try list with some large prawn. I will update this when I make it regarding servings and quantity of shrimp used. Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • fresh shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed
  • lemons, sliced
  • 1/2 cup butter, frozen, this is 1/2 of a standard block of 227 grams
  • 1 packet dry Italian salad dressing mix, OR make from a shorcut

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • In a saucepan, melt the butter on low heat. Line a cookie sheet with foil and place slices of onion in a single layer, place the shrimp in a single layer on top of the lemon slices. When the butter has melted, pour that over the shrimp then sprinkle the dry Italian season mix over the shrimp. Bake for 15 minutes. Serve over pasta or with a green salad.

Notes

I cannot give a price for this yet until I make it and see how many shrimp I am using. For now I will say fair priced but will update after I prepare this.
Shortcut: Dry Italian Salad Dressing Mix.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
Garlic Butter Cheesy Prawn

Garlic Butter Cheesy Prawn

This recipe was prepared for me by our good friends we had over as house guests. Very tasty and easy to prepare. This recipe uses large prawn so it is not an inexpensive meal. This can be an appetizer, at a pot luck meal, or as a main dish. This recipe is listed for what is shown in the photos, 14 large prawn.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Dish
Cuisine Thai
Servings 14 prawn

Ingredients
  

  • 14 fresh large prawn, whole, unpeeled and head on
  • 1/2 cup butter, softened, this is 1/2 a regular block of butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • Cheddar cheese, 14 small slices
  • spring onion, chopped for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C (390 F), line a 9x13 baking dish with foil.
  • Split the body of each whole prawn, including the head, to nearly through and gently spread apart and place in the baking dish. Photo shows the size of prawn used.
  • With the room temp butter, mix in the garlic, using a spoon and your fingers, put some garlic butter into each prawn as shown in this photo.
  • Place in the oven then reduce the temp to 180 C (350 F). Bake for 5-10 minute or until the shells turn orange, remove from the oven and add a small slice of cheese to each body of the prawns and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted, remove from oven, sprinkle with some chopped spring onion or chives, serve.

Notes

The cost break down is hard with this recipe as I do not know how many large prawn are in a kilo. One kilo is 350 Baht. I will say this is between $1 and $1.50 per serving. When I make this again I will provide more accurate pricing information. This is listed as an appetizer as well as a main dish.
Original recipe provided courtesy of good friend, Yui Hinton.
Thailand.
Low Country Boil

Low Country Boil

This is truly a one meal, for the time it takes potatoes to cook, the meal is ready. You can tailor this for as many or as few people as you are serving. This is just a base recipe, you can add or replace items to suit your taste. Adding items will increase the cost however. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 kilo potatoes, cut into large pieces
  • 1 kilo smoked sausage, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 4 ears sweat corn, cut each ear into 3 pieces
  • 1 1/4 kilos fresh shrimp, whole, or you can remove heads if you want
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 1/4 cup Old Bay seasoning, OR make from a shortcut, reserve 1 teaspoon aside
  • lemons, cut into wedges
  • melted butter
  • cocktail sauce, OR make from a shortcut, optional

Instructions
 

  • Fill a large pot with water, about 8 quarts (liters) and bring to a boil.
  • Add the Old Bay seasoning and bay leaves, reserve 1 teaspoon of Old Bay for use later. Place the potatoes in the water and cook for about 8-10 minutes or until they are just beginning to soften when pierced with a fork. Then add the sausage and cook for another 5 minutes. Then add the corn and the corn and cook for another 5 minutes. Finally, add the shrimp and cook for 3-4 or until the shrimp is pink and cooked through.
  • Remove everything and drain well and place on a large platter or two (or just put down some newspapers on a table if eating outside). Sprinkle the remaining Old Bay over the meal and drizzle with melted butter. Set out lemon wedges as well. For the butter, you can also serve melted butter in individual small bowls for each person. Optional, serve with cocktail sauce.

Notes

One kilo of smoked sausage is between 100 and 200 Baht depending on where you get it from, I will use 150 Baht as an estimate here. Shrimp go with about 150 Baht as well, much less if you can get from a local fisherman. Corn and potatoes, you can get them locally. This comes to $2.20 per serving for 4 servings, and about $1.50 per serving for 6 servings. Not a cheap meal but would be a hit for visiting friends and family.
Variants, add fresh clams, add fresh crabs or just large crab claws.
Shortcuts: Old Bay Seasoning, Cocktail Sauce.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Philippines Style Stuffed Crab

Philippines Style Stuffed Crab

Allan & Sheila Conatser, United States.
This comes from a good friend, and it sounds absolutely wonderful! Takes time but I think this is well worth it. On my to try list.
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine Filipino
Servings 6 servings

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 12 blue crabs, cooked, and cooled
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 small potatoes, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • ½ box raisins, this would be the small box
  • ¼ red bell pepper, diced
  • ¼ cup peas, canned or cooked frozen peas
  • dash soy sauce, low sodium
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • salt, to taste
  • olive oil
  • panko breadcrumbs

Instructions
 

  • First task is, you guessed it, you have to pick all 12 crabs, putting the meat in a separate bowl, try to keep the meat in the largest chunks possible, pick everything. Save the top of the shells for use later to bake the crab in. Clean the tops and rinse them out and allow to dry.
  • Heat a large non stick skillet with a splash of olive oil, then cook the diced potatoes until done, remove from the pan and set aside.
  • Same skillet, cook the onion and garlic until the onion is soft. Then gently fold in the crab meat, make sure you do not make it mushy. Then fold in the cooked potatoes, then fold in the red bell pepper, peas, and raisins. Gently mix in a dash of low sodium soy sauce, and salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and set aside, letting it cool.
  • Preheat your oven to 190° C (375° F) and get out a baking sheet.
  • Stuff each crab shell with the mixture, pack them tight and mound over the top, about 5-7 shells is what you will need. Brush each mound of filling with beaten egg and top with Panko breadcrumbs.
  • Bake in the oven for 30 minutes or until the breadcrumbs start to get golden brown. Remove from oven, let cool 5 minutes. Serve, coleslaw, corn chowder or a green salad would be excellent sides.

Notes

Blue Crabs would cost about 200 Baht for 12 decent sized crabs, for 6 servings (this is based on 6 stuffed shells and 1 stuffed shell per serving), this is about $1 per serving. Overall, not bad, but can be time consuming to put together.
Stuffed Squid

Stuffed Squid

Adapted from an internet recipe.
I found this today and will adjust it slightly. It sounds very nice.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Pan (9x13 inch)

Ingredients
  

  • 6 squid, about 7-8 inches long is perfect, if you use smaller squid, you need more
  • 150 grams fresh shrimp, peeled, deveined, tails removed, cooked, (5-6 oz)
  • 1 Pangasius fillet, cooked and chopped
  • 6-8 spring onions, chopped, green and white parts, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, smashed and minced, this is for the filling
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ¾ cup butter, (¾ block)
  • 375 grams Cream cheese, cubed, room temp, (1½ blocks / 12 oz)
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced, this is for the sauce
  • 3 cups milk
  • 1¼ cups Parmesan cheese, grated
  • black pepper, to taste
  • 500 grams pasta, Fettuccine would be perfect, or Spagheti, (1 lb)

Instructions
 

  • Clean your squid, there is a Tip on this site for how to do this if you are not sure. Remove the skin, pull out the clear bone, and turn inside out to thoroughly clean the inside, then turn right side out, place squid on a plate and put in the fridge. Cut the tentacles off in front of the beak and cook when you cook the shrimp, discard the head.
  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F), get out a 9x13 inch baking pan.
  • In a large bowl, stir together the half of the spring onion, 6 cloves of the garlic, shrimp, tentacles, fish and lemon juice. Spoon the mixture into the squid, there may be left over filling, no problem, that goes into the sauce. As each squid is filled, place in a single layer in the bottom of baking dish. Set aside.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in Cream cheese and 2 cloves of garlic. Cook and stir until cream cheese has melted. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook until heated through and then remove from the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese, remaining spring onion, black pepper, AND any remaining filling. Pour over the squid in the baking dish. If you like cheese, sprinkle more Parmesan cheese on the top.
  • Bake uncovered until the cheese is browned and sauce is bubbly. While the squid is baking, cook your pasta and drain (a splash of olive oil tossed with the pasta will prevent it from sticking. Serve the stuffed squid and sauce over a pasta. Add a side of steamed yard beans or asparagus for a complete meal.

Notes

In May 2016 I bought 6 medium squid (about 7-8 inches long) for 60 Baht. The shrimp will run about 60 Baht. The Cream cheese will run about 120 Baht/block, you will need 1½ for 180 Baht, and the Parmesan cheese will run about 270 for the amount stated. This comes out to about $2.80 per serving for 6 servings. Use local suppliers for the shrimp, buy the Parmesan cheese in larger quantity to reduce the cost. Not a cheap meal. I have to try this one out as I think the sauce and filling is a bit much.
Shrimp & Asparagus Stir Fry

Shrimp & Asparagus Stir Fry

Easy dish for a lunch or dinner. Serve with some rice on the side and you have a filling meal.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams shrimp, peeled with tail removed, and deveined if you choose
  • 500 grams fresh asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
  • 1 teaspoon ginger, minced
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • olive oil, for cooking

Instructions
 

  • In a large frying pan, heat a splash of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add shrimp to the pan, then season with salt and red pepper flakes, cook until the shrimp is pink, remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
  • In the same pan, heat another splash of olive oil and add asparagus, add ginger and garlic, then season with salt. Stir frequently and cook until the asparagus is tender-crisp.
  • Return the shrimp to the pan, then add soy sauce. Stir until the ingredients are well combined and heated through, just before the dish is ready, add lemon juice, stir once more, then serve while hot. Serve with rice on the side would be excellent.

Notes

Shrimp would run about 100 Baht/500 grams, this comes out to about 75 cents per serving for 4 servings. Excellent value and nutritious.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
Mom’s Oyster Stew

Mom's Oyster Stew

Adapted from an internet recipe.
No, this is not my Mom's stew, just happens to be the name of the recipe I found, but it is very easy to prepare, and very good! Keep in mind these are the small, already shucked and packaged oysters. I am going to go with 3 small containers from Tesco for a pint of oysters. I made this on 6 June 2018 and used fresh oyster meat from a local fisherman, 1 pint was 45 Baht, much less than Tesco. Excellent soup as well.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Lunch, Main Dish, Side
Cuisine American
Servings 2 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pint oyster meat, shucked and drained, (2 cups)
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed and finely minced
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • 1½ cups evaporated milk
  • ½ cup milk

Instructions
 

  • In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic, salt and pepper; cook and stir until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Stir in the evaporated milk and milk and reduce to a simmer.
  • When the milk is hot add the oysters and cook just until the oysters start to curl and turn opaque. Taste and season with more salt and white pepper if needed.
  • Serve with saltine or oyster crackers on the side. (Not much to look at, but tasty!)

Notes

For a main dish, 2 servings with a salad on the side, and as a side dish, 3-4 servings. For pricing, a small container of oyster meat from Tesco is 45 Baht each, I am thinking 2-3 containers for a pint, I have to verify this still. I buy fresh oyster meat by the pint from the local fishermen at a cost of 45 Baht. For 2 servings 70 cents. Tesco bought oysters would be twice this.
Variants: 1. Add diced celery at the beginning and soften that up with the butter, then proceed with the recipe. 2. Double the amount of oysters.