SHRIMP IN SHERRY BUTTER SAUCE

Shrimp in Sherry Butter Sauce image

This recipe is from Gourmet Magazine's May 2003 issue. This recipe is a bit fussy, but well worth the effort for that special dinner party. There are several make ahead steps which minimize the pre-party effort. The shrimp stock can be made the day before and the shrimp can be cooked several hours before service and finished in the sherry sauce at serving time.

Provided by Chef Regina V. Smith

Categories < 4 Hours

Time 3h

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

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Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
3 lbs medium shrimp, in shell (31-35 per lb.)
8 cups water
1 onion, halved
1/2 cup onion, minced
1 carrot, halved
1 bay leaf
2 fresh parsley sprigs
1 fresh thyme sprig
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorn
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsalted butter, cut into tablespoon size pieces and softened
1/2 cup sherry wine, medium-dry
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Steps:

Heat oil in a 4 to 5 quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook the shrimp shells, stirring, for one minute. Add the water, onion halves, carrot, bay leaf, parsley, thyme, peppercorns and salt and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes.
Pour stock through a large sieve lined with a dampened paper towel into a large bowl, discarding solids. (Shrimp stock may be made 1 day ahead to this point.).
Return stock to cleaned pot. Add shrimp and cook over high heat ( stock should be hot but not boiling) stirring frequently until shrimp are just about cooked through (2 minutes- no longer). Transfer the shrimp with a slotted spoon to a large shallow baking dish, spreading in 1 layer to cool quickly.
Bring stock to a boil and reduce to about 1 1/2 cups. This should take 30 to 40 minutes, then transfer to a bowl and set aside.
Stir together flour and 1 1/2 tbsp butter until a paste forms and set aside.
Cook minced onion in 1 tablespoons butter in clean pot over moderately low heat, stirring, until the onion is softened, about 3 minutes. Add sherry and boil, until liquid is reduced to about 1/3 cup ( about 2 minutes). Add the shrimp stock and bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and whisk in the remaining 5 1/2 tbsp butter until just incorporated. Whisk in flour paste, bit by bit, and simmer sauce, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice, shrimp and salt and pepper to taste and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until shrimp are just heated through, about 1 minute.