Although not a traditional Dominican recipe, Shrimp with Coconut and Ginger Sauce is inspired by the traditional cuisine from Samana. We love it.
Why we ❤️ it
This extraordinarily flavorful shrimp with coconut and ginger sauce is a dish that is inspired by the flavors and products of the beautiful Samana peninsula. One of the main characteristics of the cuisine from Samana is the use of coconut in several dishes.
A visit to Samana will make it evident why this is a popular ingredient in its cuisine: there are countless coconut groves that extend as far as the eye can see all over the area.
In this recipe we have taken advantage of much of what coconut has to offer: oil, "milk", and the "meat". Serve it with a glass of cold coconut water, and sit down to eat it under the shade of a coconut grove, and you will get all the benefits that the noble tree gifts us with.
About this recipe
A couple of months ago Aunt Ilana, who used to spend a lot of time in Samana years ago, went back for a visit. After that she wrote an article about the "green" ginger plantations in Samana. It occurred to me that ginger, seafood and coconut go perfectly together; I have to say that this dish has become a new classic in our home.
Although this is not a traditional Dominican recipe it is inspired by a classic dish from Samana: pescado con coco. In fact, there are very few changes to the recipe, save for 2 or 3 extra ingredients.
I invite you to try this amazing dish, and find out why I love it so much.
Recipe
Shrimp with Coconut and Ginger Sauce [+ Video]
Ingredients
- 2 ½ tablespoons ginger paste, [33 g] (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
- 1 red bell pepper, , chopped
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (freshly-cracked, or ground)
- 4 sprig cilantro
- 3 cloves garlic, (3 large or 6 small), peeled
- 1 tablespoons coconut oil
- ½ cup freshly-grated coconut
- 1 ½ teaspoon bija (annato, achiote) powder
- 2 ½ cups coconut milk
- 1 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, (limón in the DR)
- ½ cup water
- 2 pound shrimp (large, uncooked and peeled), [880 g]
- 1 teaspoon salt, (may not be used)
Instructions
Make seasoning: Put the ginger paste, coarse sea salt, bell pepper, pepper, cilantro, and garlic in a mortar and pestle, crush until you obtain a coarse paste (see picture).
Toast coconut: Heat the oil in a heavy saucepan over medium fire.Add the ground coconut, stir constantly until it gets to a light golden color. Be careful that it doesn't burn.
Cook seasoning: Add the seasoning, and cook and stir until the seasonings start to release their fragrance (1 to 2 minutes).Add the bija (anato) powder and mix it well.
Simmer: Add the coconut milk, stir and cook over low heat for about 5 minutes (stir once or twice to prevent it from sticking to the bottom and burning)
Make thickener: Dissolve the cornstarch and lime juice in the water. Add to the boiling sauce and stir until it is mixed completely.
Cook shrimp: Stir in the shrimp. Cover with a lid and simmer over medium-low heat for about 3 minutes, turn the shrimp, and simmer another 3 minutes, or until they turn a bright pink color. Season with salt to taste. Remove from the heat.
Serving: Serve with arroz blanco, tostones, or pan de coco.
Video
Tips and Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is calculated automatically based on ingredients listed. Please consult your doctor if you need precise nutritional information.
