Shrimp au Jus for Two

Day 21

Copyright, Doug Kapustin Photography, 2013

Because my absolute favorite meals are those shared with friends and family, I thought that I should make my next blog entry a really fun dish to share with someone you love. Shrimp au Jus for Two is best served in a large bowl with lots of warm, crusty sourdough bread for dipping in the tangy jus. Of course, if you prefer to ladle a portion for each diner, that works too. 

This shrimp dish offers a mélange of flavors, ranging from tangy lemon and creamy butter to salty cheese and earthy olive oil. Drenching the bread with sauce and shrimp is truly the epitome of a comfort food experience.  I developed this recipe years ago, after watching a morning talk show demonstration of shrimp au jus. I chose to add more sauce, to change some of the key ingredients, and to make the dish something special to share. Adding a nice glass of your favorite wine really makes this meal complete, and it’s not terribly heavy, despite the butter and oil. 

Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, we forget how enjoyable an intimate dining experience can be. Sharing a warm sourdough baguette and a delicious bowl of shrimp that has been sautéed in a rich and flavorful sauce is an excellent way to get back into the habit of making meal time an event rather than a hurried formality. I hope you’ll take the time to try this one very soon, with someone you love! Bon Appétit!

Shrimp au Jus for Two

Ingredients:
1 pound uncooked, deveined shrimp
4 green onions, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
One bunch of cilantro, finely chopped
½ cup dry white wine
1 cup chicken broth
½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
¼ cup butter
3 tbs. olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Dash Tabasco

Directions:
Saute onion in 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add garlic, shrimp, and butter. Saute just until butter is melted. Add white wine, chicken broth, and cilantro. After heating just enough to cook shrimp thoroughly, add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and hot sauce;  then sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Pour into pasta plate or shallow bowl and serve with fresh baked bread for dipping.