Brazilian recipe
Creamy Baked Shrimp with Hearts of Palm (Receita de camarão com palmito gratinado)
This classic Brazilian seafood dish features succulent shrimp and delicate hearts of palm in a rich, velvety sauce, finished with a golden parmesan crust.
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Ingredients
2 cups milk
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt to taste
1 onion, sliced into rings
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 can heart of palm (palmito), sliced into rounds
Margarine and butter, as needed for sautéing and greasing
1 can (approx. 300g) table cream (creme de leite)
Grated parmesan cheese, for sprinkling
2 kg cleaned and seasoned shrimp
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Salt to taste
1 onion, sliced into rings
1 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 can heart of palm (palmito), sliced into rounds
Margarine and butter, as needed for sautéing and greasing
1 can (approx. 300g) table cream (creme de leite)
Grated parmesan cheese, for sprinkling
2 kg cleaned and seasoned shrimp
1 tablespoon butter
Where to find ingredients
You can find fresh or frozen cleaned shrimp at local fish markets in Suva or Lautoka. Hearts of palm (palmito) are commonly available in the canned goods section of supermarkets like Shop N Save or New World. For the table cream (creme de leite), look for the shelf-stable dairy section; if unavailable, a thick heavy cream can be used as a substitute.
Preparation method
- Sauté the shrimp in olive oil with minced garlic and onion rings until they are pink and golden.
- Prepare the white sauce: in a saucepan, melt the butter and sauté the onion until translucent.
- Blend the milk and flour in a food processor or blender until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Pour the milk mixture into the saucepan with the sautéed onions and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens into a rich cream.
- Stir the table cream into the white sauce and set aside.
- In a greased baking dish, spread out the sautéed shrimp and cover them evenly with the prepared white sauce.
- Generously sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese over the top.
- Place in a preheated oven at 200°C for approximately 20 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and nicely browned.
- In a separate skillet, brown the additional onion with margarine and butter until slightly caramelized.
- Serve the dish while hot, garnished with the caramelized onion rings.
Observations
This dish perfectly balances the sweetness of sautéed shrimp with the earthy texture of hearts of palm, all enveloped in a savory cream sauce and topped with melted parmesan. It is a refined yet approachable meal, ideal for special occasions or when you want to elevate your home cooking. The process involves lightly sautéing the shrimp, preparing a smooth white sauce enriched with cream, layering everything in a baking dish, and broiling until golden brown. Finished with a touch of caramelized onion, this is a sophisticated comfort food staple that relies on high-quality, simple ingredients.
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