CORN CAKES WITH SHRIMP AND CHIPOTLE BUTTER: TORTILLAS DE MAIZE

Corn Cakes with Shrimp and Chipotle Butter: Tortillas de Maize image

Provided by Food Network

Time 2h10m

Number Of Ingredients 26

Ingredients

1 cup Pico de Gallo, recipe follows
6 1/2 tablespoons pureed chipotle chiles in adobo sauce
2 tablespoons water
30 large shrimp, about 1 1/2 pounds, peeled and deveined
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup coarse cornmeal
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, cooled to room temperature
1 egg, beaten
1 cup fresh corn kernels, from 2 small ears
2 scallions chopped
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 scallions, finely chopped, for garnish
1 tablespoon finely diced onion
1 cup diced Roma tomatoes
1 serrano chile, seeded and minced
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon sugar, to taste
2 tablespoons Mexican beer
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 lime juiced

Steps:

To prepare the Pico de Gallo, place the onion in a small strainer, rinse with hot water, and drain. Transfer to a mixing bowl, add the remaining salsa ingredients, and mix well. Let sit, refrigerated, for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to marry. In a mixing bowl, combine 2 tablespoons of the chipotle puree with the water. Add the shrimp and toss to thoroughly coat. Marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour in the refrigerator. In a small mixing bowl, stir together the 1 cup of softened butter with the remaining 4 1/2 tablespoons of chipotle puree; use more or less chipotle, to taste. Set aside at room temperature. To prepare the Corn Cakes, thoroughly combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. In a separate large mixing bowl, whisk the buttermilk and melted butter together, then whisk in the egg. Gradually add the combined dry ingredients, stirring continuously until thoroughly incorporated. In a food processor, puree 1/2 cup of the corn kernels and fold into the batter. Then add the whole corn kernels and scallions, and mix together. Add a little more buttermilk if the batter is too thick. Set aside. To cook the shrimp, heat the 3 tablespoons of butter on a griddle or in a skillet. Saute the shrimp for 3 to 5 minutes over medium heat, turning once. Be careful not to overcook. Keep warm. To cook the Corn Cakes, heat a nonstick pan over medium heat and ladle enough Corn Cake batter to make 3-inch cakes. Cook until golden brown, about 2 1/2 minutes per side. Repeat for the remaining cakes (there should be enough for 18 cakes). Place 3 warm Corn Cakes on each serving plate. Place 5 shrimp on top of the cakes and spread the warm soft chipotle butter liberally over the shrimp. Spoon the Pico de Gallo next to the Corn Cakes and garnish with the scallions.;