Pepper Shrimp
Pepper Shrimp is exactly that - shell-on shrimp with lots of heat from scotch bonnet peppers. I've updated this Jamaican pepper shrimp recipe to elevate it from street food to entree, but kept the distinct color and taste!
Ingredients
- 1/4 white onion, chopped
- 2 stalks scallion, chopped
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tbsp all-purpose seasoning
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 2 scotch bonnet peppers, finely chopped with seeds ( to reduce spice level, use 1 pepper)
- coarse salt and pepper
- 1 lb large shell-on shrimp, raw
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
- 1 tsp red pepper flakes
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, stems removed
- juice and zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 5-6 drops liquid red food coloring
Instructions
- Season the shrimp. In a small bowl, combine paprika, all-purpose seasoning, dried thyme, dried oregano, scotch bonnet peppers, and salt and pepper. Coat shrimp with the seasoning mixture. Then add onions and scallion and set aside.
- Prepare finishing oil. In another bowl, stir together 1 tbsp of oil, red pepper flakes, chopped cilantro, fresh thyme, and 1/2 of the lemon juice and zest. Set aside.
- Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a large cast iron over medium flame. Add minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, remaining lemon juice and zest. Cook until sauce starts to bubble, about 1 minute.
- Discard onions, scallions, and excess scotch bonnet peppers from shrimp (we only needed them to season the shrimp), then add shrimps to skillet. Cook until shrimps turn pink, about 3-5 minutes. Add red food coloring, making sure to stir to ensure the coloring is evenly distributed.NOTE: I used a naturally derived liquid food coloring that was a bit thick, so I added a little bit of water to the coloring before adding it to the pot in order to dissolve it. Depending on the kind of food coloring you use, you may need more or less to schieve the desired color.
- Remove from stove and top with finishing oil. Serve immediately.
Did You Make This Recipe?
Tag @sweetandsorrel on Instagram and hashtag it #sweetandsorrel so we can see all the deliciousness!