Recipe Repository

This is a fabulous recipe that works well served over basmati rice and with a nice cold beer. One can eliminate the seafood altogether—or replace with tofu—for a vegetarian version, although I personally have never tried it this way. This is adapted from a Nigella Lawson recipe, and you will not believe how easy it is—and delicious!

Ingredients
1 14 oz can of coconut milk
1-2 Tbsp. Red Thai curry paste (gauge on how spicy you like it)
1 1/2 cups fish or vegetable stock (easiest to use the stock cubes boiled in water)
3 Tbsp. fish sauce
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 lemongrass stalks, each cut into three and bruised with the flat of a knife
1/2 tsp. turmeric
2 1/4 lbs. butternut squash (peeled and cut into large bite-size chunks)
1 lb. salmon fillet, preferably organic, skinned and cut into large bite-size chunks
1 lb. of peeled raw shrimp
(OR substitute 1 lb. extra-firm tofu, drained and cubed, for the seafood)
1 bunch Bok choi
Juice of 1/2 lime (use up to a full lime to taste)
Chopped fresh cilantro (for serving only)

Preparation

1. Skim the creamy (semi-solid) top off the can of coconut milk and put it—over medium heat—into a large saucepan or casserole with the curry paste. Let it sizzle and, using a whisk, beat the coconut milk and paste together until combined. Still beating gently, add the rest of the coconut milk, stock, fish sauce, sugar, lemongrass, and turmeric.
2. Bring to a boil and then add the butternut squash. Cook on a fast simmer until the squash is tender (about 5-10 minutes). You will want to gauge this yourself.
3. To the simmering curry/squash mixture add the salmon and shrimp. Cook for approximately 3-4 minutes or until done.
4. Stir in the bok choy, and push down into the curry with a wooden spoon. You want to just wilt the bok choy.
5. Next, squeeze in the juice of half a lime and stir.
6. Take the pan off the heat and add the cilantro right before serving.

Enjoy!!

Fast, easy, and very tasty shrimp. Adapted from a recipe at Williams-Sonoma.com. Serves 3 or 4.

Ingredients
4 or 5 tbs. olive oil
4 (or more if you like) cloves of fresh garlic, minced
1 tsp. red pepper flakes
1 tsp. paprika
3/4 to 1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails on
2 tbs. fresh lemon juice
2 tbs dry sherry or sake
salt to taste
handful of chopped fresh basil or italian parsley

Warm the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet or other heavy pan. Add the garlic, paprika, and red pepper flakes and saute for about a minute. Increase the heat and add the shrimp, lemon juice, and sherry or sake. Cook for about 3 minutes, stiring frequently until the shrimp are pink. Be careful not to over cook. Add salt to taste and the basil or parsley.