The shrimp stew is not only easy to make, but produces flavors that are on par with many great restaurant dishes.
Pam Anderson is a popular name in many kitchens. No, not the Pam Anderson that runs down the beach in a red bathing suit, life-saving device tucked under her arm. Well, maybe this Pam Anderson does like to do that, but probably not on national television. Nope, I am talking about the Pam Anderson, author of popular cookbooks, such as The Perfect Recipe, How to Cook Without a Book, and The Perfect Recipe for Losing Weight and Looking Great. When my friend Maggy Keet, who is Pam’s daughter and one-third of the Three Many Cooks, asked if I would like to view a copy of her mum’s new book, I jumped at the offer. Perfect One-Dish Dinners: All You Need for Easy Get-Togethers is bursting with easy, tantalizing dishes. In the opening of the book, Pam explains that she was inspired to write this book when a woman attending one of her cooking classes confessed to being overwhelmed when attempting to pull together a meal to entertain guests. I think we can all relate to that. While cooking individual dishes seems doable, timing several dishes to come out at the right time is enough to send even a Martha Stewart devotee into a tailspin.
This book is organized by entire meals, rather than the standard appetizer, salad, entrée, and dessert format. This dish, Spicy Coconut Shrimp Stew, is paired with an appetizer of Tuna Salad with Sushi Flavors on Sesame Rice Crackers and finished with Mixed sorbets on sweet ginger fried wontons. Other equally tempting entrees, such as Chicken Potpie with Green apples and Cheddar Biscuits and Cassoulet-Style Italian Sausages and White Beans are each printed with an appetizer, salad, and/or dessert suggestion. What stuck me as I flipped through the book was that each entrée could be produced as a relatively easy weeknight meal. My 9-year old son looked over my shoulder as I marked down the dishes I wanted to try, adding in his two cents every few pages. As we neared the end of the book, he proclaimed, “Mum, I just want to eat this book!” Honest and telling words, indeed.
The shrimp stew came together with very little effort and produced flavors that are on par with many good restaurant dishes. In fact, I went back for a large second portion because I was so taken with the rich, aromatic flavors of the coconut milk and shrimp. I cleared every last morsel of stew and rice from my plate, as the rice was beautifully drenched in the coconut sauce.
The recipe:
Lightly season peeled and deveined shrimp (tails left intact) with salt. Heat canola oil in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat.
Add red bell pepper strips and cook, stirring frequently, until almost tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add white portions of scallions, ¼ cup cilantro, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, for 30 to 60 seconds. Be sure not to burn the garlic or the dish will take on a bitter flavor.
Add tomatoes and coconut milk, and bring to a simmer. Add shrimp, partially cover the pan, and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp are just cooked, about 5 minutes. Watch the shrimp carefully. Overcooked shrimp is rubbery shrimp.
Stir in lime juice, taste, and add more salt, if necessary. Serve over rice and top with remaining cilantro and scallion greens.
Other fish or seafood stews:
Simply Recipes' Brazilian Fish Stew
Kalyn's Kitchen's Spicy Red Fish Stew
Stephen Cooks' Fish Stew with Shrimp, Cod, Clams & Sausage
Feeding Groom's Shrimp & White Bean Stew with Braised Broccoli Rabe
Spicy Coconut Shrimp Stew
Ingredients
- 3 pounds large shrimp peeled & deveined
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 large red bell pepper sliced into very thin 1 ½-inch-long strips
- ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro divided
- 4 large garlic cloves minced
- ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes drained (14 oz. can)
- 1 can lite coconut milk (14 oz. can)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Instructions
- Lightly season peeled and deveined shrimp (tails left intact) with salt.
- Heat canola oil in a large saucepan set over medium-high heat.
- Add red bell pepper strips and cook, stirring frequently, until almost
tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add white portions of scallions, ¼ cup cilantro,
garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring, for 30 to 60 seconds. Be sure
not to burn the garlic or the dish will take on a bitter flavor. - Add tomatoes and coconut milk, and bring to a simmer. Add shrimp, partially
cover the pan, and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the shrimp are
just cooked, about 5 minutes. Watch the shrimp carefully. Overcooked shrimp is
rubbery shrimp. - Stir in lime juice, taste, and add more salt, if necessary. Serve over rice
and top with remaining cilantro and scallion greens.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Valerie
Made this last night - it's definitely a keeper! My boyfriend kept going "mmm... mmm..." while he was eating. Delicious, beautiful and easy to make. Thanks! Going to check out the rest of that book, now...
Jeanette
Shrimp and coconut milk are a great combination. This looks absolutely delicious.
Athena
Wonder why she would refer to it as a stew when it isn't a stew :P. Looks good just the same though.
Rosemary @ Sprigs of Rosemary
I'm a big Pam Anderson (yes, the cookbook author) and I'm ready to try recipe! Onto the list!
Grace
Wish I could make this, looks fabulous. We are all big shellfish lovers but my daughter unfortunately developed an allergy to shellfish and now I am too afraid to cook with it when she's home. She is planning a weekend getaway in October. I am going to tuck away this recipe and pull it out to enjoy then.
Becky at VintageMixer
what a fun take on coconut shrimp! This will really warm my soul this fall!
Alison @ Ingredients, Inc.
Wow! Looks wonderful! Homerun by you!
Adrianna from A Cozy Kitchen
This looks so heavenly. I love the addition of coconut milk to add a bit of creaminess to it. I can't wait to get my hands on Pam's book. Every dish I've seen from it has been so clever.
Barbara @ Modern Comfort Food
It's hard to sound like anything but a broken record when commenting on your site. As always, this dish looks gorgeous, fresh and innovative, and totally delicious. Many thanks to you and Pam for this keeper shrimp recipe, perfect for a fall dinner.
Koci
That shrimp stew looks just beautiful! Almost too pretty to eat. 😀
Magic of Spice
Beautiful dish...love these flavors 🙂
Drick
I have just learned (from FB friends like you) in the last year or so of cooking shrimp with coconut milk, and it is a meld of flavor that I wish I had learned years ago ... this recipe sounds great, gotta save it
Marisa
This looks like a fansastic recipe! Thanks for introducing me to THIS Pam Anderson. I like how her book is organized by entire meals.
SMITH BITES
i cannot wait to make this dish - i've been eyeing it ever since i brought the book home from big summer potluck!! and what a splendid photo!!!
carol
olá!!parabéns!!pelo blog..receita maravilhosa!sua fã do brasil!!
marla {family fresh cooking}
Not only does this recipe look amazing (gorgeous photos!) but I am so happy that I had the chance to meet Maggy & Pam a few weeks ago. I wish great success for them, they are wonderful driven women. It will be fun to spend time with you and theThree Many Cooks at Blogher. Did you see WORC's video? Just beautiful!