Cooking for Zo

Taste Level: VGR
Cost: $20 and over
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 10-15 min.
Cook Time: 25-30 min.
Difficulty: 2

We were at a friend's Birthday Party and listed on the Menu was Shrimp Thermidor for $22.99. I pointed it out to Zo and said, "Why in the heck would you order this when it is easy to make and for that price you could make 4 servings of it?" So I went home and scratched up a recipe and made 4 servings for around 21 bucks. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as Zo and I did!

Ingredients:
Shrimp
1 1/2 lb frozen shrimp (peeled but save shells)
3 garlic cloves (minced)
2/3 cup button mushrooms (chopped)
1 cup green onion
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup white wine
1-2 tsp volcanic Italian lemon juice (depending on how much of the flavor you want)
1 tsp essence
¼ tsp garlic powder
1 1/4 tsp fresh tarragon
1/4 tsp Smoked paprika
2 tsp Creole mustard
1 cup shrimp stock
2 tbsp all purpose flour
2 tbsp grated Parmesan Reggiano cheese
3 tbsp beer mustard sharp New England cheddar cheese (normal cheddar can be substituted with 1/4 tsp dried mustard)
3 tbsp sweet European unsalted butter
fresh crack pepper (to taste)
(Optional 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes)

Rice
4 servings rice
1 tbsp fresh baby dill and
crack pepper (to taste)

Make 1 cup shrimp stock using shells. Place in a small sauce pan with 2 1/4 cups of water and boil down to 1-1 1-4 cups over high heat.

Prepare rice according to instructions on package and then mix in dill and pepper.

In a large skillet heat the butter over medium high heat until melted. Once melted mix in garlic, garlic powder, wine and mustard, letting simmer for 1 minute. Add peeled shrimp and 3/4 cup green onion, cooking until shrimp are just done (5-7 minutes.) Remove shrimp from skillet and sit aside. Now turn the heat down to medium, whisk in lemon juice, heavy cream, mushroom, tarragon, essence and paprika, letting simmer for 2 minutes.

Whisk together 1 cup broth with flour and stir into mixture, cooking and stirring 4-5 minutes or until thickened. Turn off heat and fold in shrimp, ¼ cup green onion, pepper and cheese. Place in a preheated oven 400 degrees and bake until bubbling (7-10 minutes.)

Carefully remove skillet from oven. Spoon rice onto plate and then spoon desired amount of Shrimp Thermidor over rice. Serve hot!