Brazilian recipe
Creamy Shrimp and Heart of Palm Gratin
This indulgent Brazilian-inspired gratin features succulent shrimp and tender heart of palm in a velvety sauce, topped with bubbly, golden Parmesan cheese.
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Ingredients
2 cups milk
1/2 cup extra virgin 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, sliced into rounds
Margarine and butter, as needed for sautéing and greasing
1 can table cream
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping
2 kg shrimp, cleaned and seasoned
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup extra virgin 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, sliced into rounds
Margarine and butter, as needed for sautéing and greasing
1 can table cream
Grated Parmesan cheese for topping
2 kg shrimp, cleaned and seasoned
1 tablespoon butter
Where to find ingredients
Heart of palm (palmito) can be found in the tinned vegetable or specialty international aisle of most major supermarkets, often near artichokes. For the best quality, look for Brazilian or Latin American brands in specialty grocery stores. Table cream (creme de leite) is a thick, shelf-stable canned cream common in Latin cooking; if unavailable, a heavy cream or a mixture of sour cream and heavy cream can be used as a close substitute for the texture. Shrimp is readily available at any local fishmonger or the fresh seafood section of your supermarket.
Preparation method
- Sauté the shrimp in olive oil with minced garlic and onion rings until golden and opaque
- For the sauce, melt the butter in a pan and sauté the onion until translucent
- In a blender, combine the milk and flour, pulsing until completely smooth
- Pour the mixture into the pan with the sautéed onions and cook, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a rich cream
- Stir the table cream into the sauce and set aside
- In a greased baking dish, spread out the sautéed shrimp and cover evenly with the white sauce
- Generously sprinkle the top with grated Parmesan cheese
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 20 minutes, or until the top is bubbling and nicely browned
- While it bakes, quickly sauté the remaining onion slices in a pan with a knob of butter and margarine until nicely caramelized
- Serve the dish hot, garnished with the caramelized onions
Observations
Bring a touch of Brazilian comfort food to your table with this easy-to-make gratin. The secret is in the marriage of quick-sautéed shrimp and delicate heart of palm, all swimming in a rich, homemade white sauce. Finished under the grill for that perfect golden crust, this dish is sophisticated enough for special weekend dinners yet straightforward enough for a mid-week treat.
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