Karades Guvec - Shrimp in a Clay Pot or Baked Prawns
This is a delicious dish that doesn't take too long to prepare. Use fresh uncooked shrimp to get the best flavor and ensure that it does not taste overcooked. There are may possible potential side dishes, but for this one we selected a kind of spanish or cajun style rice...that is actually adapted from a turkish pilav dish. We also made oven roasted fries that were done a bit early and did not make it past the appetizer phase.
Rice Pilaf Dish
1 cup of rice
1 onion or onion powder
3-4 cloves of garlic
2 tablespoons of butter or olive oil
1 t sugar, 1 t cumin, 1 t coriander
1 can fire roasted chopped tomatoes with garlic
3/4 cup chicken stock + some extra water as needed
salt and pepper
1 can of pinto beans, rinsed
In a wide pan (with a vented lid) soften the onion and garlic in the butter or olive oil. Stir in the sugar, coriander and cumin and cook for a few minutes. Stir in the fire roasted tomatoes and chicken stock and cook for 3-4 minutes. Add the rice, salt, pepper, and additional water as needed. Bring to a boil for a few minutes and reduce to low. After about 5 min pour the can of beans on top. Cook until the water is absorbed and the rice is cooked. Remove from heat and let rest, blend together.
Baked Prawns
1.5 lbs fresh raw shrimp
2 tablespoons olive oil or butter
1 onion
1-5 peppers - green, red, hot mild - depending on the size and your preference
1t sugar
3-4 cloves of garlic
1t caraway seeds, 1 t coriander, 1 t chili powder
1 handful of fresh basil - chopped
1 large tomato
1 can fire roasted tomatoes with garlic
4-6 oz of hard goat cheese - something that can be grated
salt and pepper
Preheat the oven to 400F. Soften the onion and peppers in a pan in the oil or butter. Stir in the garlic, sugar, coriander, and chili powder. Cook for a few minutes. Add the shrimp and cook until they start to whiten. Add the basil, canned tomatoes, and fresh tomatoes. Cook gently for about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Spoon the mixture into the clay pots and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes until the cheese starts to brown.
