Caruru Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Toast the shrimp shells in a dry saucepan over medium-low heat until fragrant and color has developed. Cover the shells with water, add a pinch of salt, and simmer for 45 minutes over low heat, to form a stock. Strain the stock through a sieve and set aside.
• In a large pot over low heat, sweat the onion, garlic, chile, ginger, and lemongrass in 2 to 3 tablespoons butter for 2 minutes. Add the red pepper and sweat for 1 minute more. Add the okra and shrimp stock. Simmer the mixture for 30 minutes, adjusting the seasoning as desired. Fold in the tomatoes, chopped cilantro, remaining 2 tablespoons butter, lime juice, and cashews. Remove from heat and reserve.
• Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add enough oil to thinly coat the bottom of the skillet, and let oil heat. Add the fish, skin side down, and sear for 3 minutes. Then place the skillet in the oven and roast the fish for several minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness.
• Divide the reserved stew mixture among 4 bowls, and top each with 1 fish fillet, skin side up. Garnish with cilantro sprigs.

Steps:

• In a medium heavy skillet, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the okra and toss constantly until seared and golden, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, season to taste with salt and pepper and set aside.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine the ground dried shrimp with the fresh shrimp and peanuts. Pulse, scraping down the sides of the bowl as necessary, until the mixture forms a chunky paste.
• In a large, heavy skillet heat the Dende oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and chile flakes and cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden. Add the shrimp paste, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and stir to mix. Pour in the water and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer the Caruru gently for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. The mixture will be quite thick. Stir in the reserved okra, cilantro and tabasco and cook for 2 minutes more, until the okra is heated through. Serve over white rice, garnished with the cooked jumbo shrimp, red pepper julienne, cilantro sprigs and lemon wedges.