Recipes

Maryland Shrimp Salad

While crab cakes may be the calling card of Maryland, shrimp salad is a close second. I can't name a single bridal shower I have attended in Maryland that did not serve shrimp salad. When served as a sandwich it is usually served on white bread with lettuce and tomato. Usually the shrimp are whole, I slice mine in half lengthwise as, I find, it makes a more manageable sandwich.

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Shrimp Meatloaf

This is a take on a classic French dish, chicken and crayfish, but may be closer to something you might find in Louisiana too. I rolled the meatloaves into round loaves,(I added a pictur showing what I did) and poached them. As we all know meatloaf isn't pretty. When they are done cooking I roll the hot meatloaf in a saltine cracker and parsley mix to add flavor and pretty it up, and then slice and serve. Try the roll "into a loaf" technique the next time you see a recipe that says stuff into casings.

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Paella de Marisco

One of the big problems presented by seafood paella is grossly overcooked seafood. It is hard to get the rice and the seafood done at the same time. What it comes down to is picking seafood that can take longer to cook and looking for things you can easily spread around the top midway or further into the cooking. I also like to choose things that are whole. It is kind of like meat on the bone. I just think whole shrimp head and shell on are more succulent and not so dry. Mussels as they open leak out their flavorful broth to enhance the rice even further. The whole fish, well, baked whole fish just gets that great texture and is so moist why wouldn't you. The lemons are dyn-o-mite to eat so don't discard them and I like to serve this with mayonnaise.

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Scallop Potstickers

This dumpling recipe is for two of my great friends who don’t eat meat but do eat seafood…and they absolutely love dim sum. With all the pork dishes served at dim sum it can be a real challenge not to eat meat. In this version of a dim sum standard, I used scallops because I love their clean sweet flavor, though shrimp could easily be substituted or added. Some vegetables help keep the dumplings light and fresh. Finally, the tofu binds the filling together and absorbs the flavors of the green onions, garlic, and ginger. These are a lot of fun to make with others, so don’t be shy about recruiting helpers, including kids. And don’t worry, even ugly dumplings taste good.

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Shrimp a la Bittman

A few months ago I wrote about how I like to poach shrimp (and other fish and shellfish) in olive oil. And I still do! But I also like to cook shrimp using a method I learned from Mark Bittman. He slathers shrimp in a loose green sauce and roasts them at 500 degrees (I do 450). The shrimp emerge, unscathed by the heat -- cooked through quickly enough that they remain delicate and plump, with a juicy snap. Recently, I pared down the recipe even more, giving the shrimp a slick of oil, and lemon and lime zest, showering them with the citrus juices at the table.

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Anchovy Puffs

I've beeen making these for so long I barely recall where I found the recipe - I think it was an old Bon Appetit (c. 1978ish?) The original recipe couldn't have been simpler - 3-ingredient dough and a tube of anchovy paste. I decided I could improve on the anchovy paste a little. Best part is they freeze really well and can just be popped into a hot oven for 8-10 minutes and voila! Everyone who has ever tasted these wants more, even those who profess to hate anchovies! They are the perfect blend of salty, creamy, puffy and are indeed a single bite.

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Rosemary Couscous With Garlicky Shrimp & Tomatoes

Big Little Recipes has always embodied what I consider to be a well-rounded dish—simple and quick, yet highly-impactful. In light of Emma Laperruque’s departure, I wanted to keep the spirit of her small ingredient list/big flavor ethos alive while staying true to the community-driven aspect of Food52, which fueled my decision to transform BLR into a collaborative column. From now on, you’ll be hearing from an array of new and rising voices in the food and recipe development world.

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Sheet Pan Breaded Alaska Cod With Sweet Potato Wedges

On busy nights when cooking a multi-dish meal feels like a stretch, nothing beats an easy sheet-pan dinner. The following recipe is a loose twist on a classic comfort food: fish and chips. Here, Alaska cod fillets are lightly breaded (not battered!) and baked in the oven with sweet potato wedges until everything is deliciously crisp.

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