My Taste Buds Are Back From Vacation

OMG…my taste buds just got back from a vacation on the island of AMAZING FLAVORS!!!  I am DYING over this dish!!  I’m usually not one who goes for the recipes where random ingredients are required, but somethin’ was tellin’ me to give this one a try.  I’ve never cooked with coconut milk before, but I watch the contestants on Top Chef do it all the time, so I figured that made me well qualified to cook this meal.  I am SO unbelievably happy I didn’t skip over this one because I seriously can’t begin to tell you how amazingly tasty it is.  Make a date with these ingredients as fast as you can.  You don’t want your taste buds to miss out any longer!!!!

GARLIC SHRIMP WITH COCONUT, TOMATO, & CILANTRO

1 lb. jumbo shrimp, peeled & deveined

1 tsp. extra virgin olive oil {I used Bertolli}

1 red bell pepper, sliced thin

4 green onions, sliced thin

1/2 cup cilantro

4 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper

1 {14 oz.} can diced tomato

1 {14 oz.} can coconut milk {I used Imperial Dragon}

1/2 lime, squeezed

Kosher salt

 

I couldn’t find anyone at the seafood counter to help me, so I opted for frozen shrimp instead of fresh.  It took a little time to peel and devein the shrimp, but it was worth it!!!!

Thinly slice the red peppers and add them to a skillet with oil.  Heat on low and saute until soft {or for about 4-5 minutes}. 

 

 

Meanwhile, thinly slice the green onions and add the whites, cilantro, red pepper flakes, and garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute.

 

Add the diced tomatoes, coconut milk, and salt {to taste}.  Cover and simmer on low for about 10 minutes to let the flavors blend together and to thicken the sauce.

 

Add the raw shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes or until the shrimp are cooked through and pink. 

 

Now squeeze half of a lime into the mixture and stir well.  Serve over rice, top with green onions, and ENJOY!!!!!!

 

Honestly y’all…this is outta this world!!!  I seriously felt very Top Chef and it wasn’t hard to make AT.ALL!!!  Mr. Spouse and I LOVED the flavor and how NOT heavy it was.  It’s one of those meals that fills you up but doesn’t leave you feeling stuffed.  Just PERFECT!  I promise you’ll thank me if you give it a try!  We paired it with a Pina Colada Slush and we felt like we were back in Jamaica!  Yea Mon!