SHRIMP AND WAFFLES

Shrimp and Waffles image

Move over, chicken. In this take on the traditional soul food dish, cornmeal waffles are topped with shrimp in a Cajun-inspired sauce.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 teaspoons baking powder
Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
3 tablespoons grapeseed or vegetable oil
1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs
Cooking spray
1 pound large peeled, deveined shrimp, tails removed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine
1 cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
4 scallions, sliced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
2 teaspoons hot sauce, plus more for serving
Lemon wedges, for serving

Steps:

For the waffles: Whisk together the cornmeal, flour, Parmesan, baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, cayenne, garlic powder and a few grinds of black pepper in a large bowl. Whisk together the buttermilk, grapeseed oil, sugar and eggs in a medium bowl. Pour the wet mixture into the dry mixture, and gently stir until just incorporated (it's OK if there are some lumps). Let the batter rest for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat a waffle iron to medium-high. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Spray the top and bottom of the waffle iron with cooking spray. Fill the waffle iron about three-quarters full with batter (some of the waffle iron should still be showing). Close the lid gently, and cook according to manufacturer's directions until golden brown and crisp. Keep the cooked waffles warm in the oven.
For the shrimp: Sprinkle the shrimp lightly with salt and pepper. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp in a single layer, and cook until they just start to turn bright pink on the bottom, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the wine, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the skillet, bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes (if the pan gets too dry, add water 1 tablespoon at a time). Add the tomatoes and scallions, and toss with the shrimp until the tomatoes just begin to soften, about 1 minute. Add the butter pieces, and swirl the pan until there's a thick sauce. Stir in the Parmesan and hot sauce.
Arrange 2 waffles per plate, and spoon the shrimp and sauce evenly over the waffles. Serve with lemon wedges and more hot sauce.