Sunday, September 26, 2010

Test Kitchen: Shrimp - Part 3

Here is the final installment of my shrimp test kitchen dishes.  This one has several separate components, but it is SO worth it.


To see the other dishes, click here (Shrimp Mousse on Homemade Potato Chips) and here (Shrimp Curry Bruschetta).

(Same disclaimer: These are all still in pretty rough form and I need to make them again so I can write actual measurements and recipes, but I wanted to share to see what everyone thought.)

Shrimp, Roasted Figs, and Pears in Puff Pastry with Balsamic Reduction

shrimp
garlic
butter
salt and pepper
white wine
cream
mascarpone

Sauté garlic in butter, then add shrimp and wine. When shrimp are done, remove from pan. Add cream to pan sauce and let reduce. Remove from heat. Add pan sauce to a scoop of mascarpone cheese and stir to combine. Return shrimp to sauce and toss.


figs
thyme
rosemary
olive oil
salt and pepper

Cut figs in half and toss with all remaining ingredients. Roast in a 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes. Let cool and cut in half again.


balsamic vinegar
sugar

Stir together in a small pot and let reduce over medium hear until syrupy. Set aside.

pear, sliced
walnuts
puff pastry 
egg wash

When ready to assemble, roll out one puff pastry sheet to make it a couple inches bigger on all sides. Cut it in quarters.

Place some shrimp, figs, and pear in the middle of each square. Fold edges up, leaving the middle open, like a crostata. Brush pastry with egg wash and top with chopped walnuts.

Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, until pastry is golden brown. 

When ready to serve, drizzle with balsamic reduction.

This is hands-down my favorite of the three test kitchen dishes. The puff pastry is light and airy. The shrimp, figs and pears combine beautifully to make the most wonderful bite. I can’t say enough about it…I just loved it. 

For next time, I would cut the shrimp and figs up smaller for easier eating and more even distribution. (Don’t cut the pears too small…they’ll disintegrate in the oven.) Another option is to make the puff pastry much squares smaller for more of a finger food appetizer. 


I’m happy when a test kitchen results in one new recipe, but I am thrilled with three! I will definitely be making all of these dishes again…

34 comments:

  1. Oooo- I recently had a ton of fresh figs, wish I had this recipe then! Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  2. This looks delicious! I love shrimp and I love figs! Never thought to combine them. And putting them on puff pastry...well, that's just unfair! Yummy!

    Best,
    Veronica

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mmmm, another winner! This dish looks amazing! Such a nice combination of lush ingredients! Wine and cheese party perhaps!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I would never think of combining shrimp with figs so this looks really interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I think this looks fantastic! I've never thought to combine figs and seafood.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Looks wonderful - I love the combo and also the little container the puff pastry makes for the filling . . . Hoping I can find fresh figs here on the prairie so I can try this out! Cheers, Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love tinkering around in the kitchen like a mad scientist! What an crazy and WONDERFUL combination!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Looks great - I love the idea of combining shrimps with figs and pears. I will definitely try this as soon as fresh figs comes into season here.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  9. Karen, I have an award for you. Please feel free to hop over to collect it. You deserve it, dear. Thanks!
    Kristy

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a unique idea. I have never tried shrimps with puff pastry. I will have to make up for this.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a novel combo! Would never have thought to combine figs & shrimp.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yummy! I like all of the shrimp test kitchen recipes. They all look and sound so good.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I never would have thought of shrimp and fig together...really interesting!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Those figs look so good; very intersting to pair them with shrimps. You sound like you are having fun
    Rita

    ReplyDelete
  15. I love the combination of figs, balsamic, and pears, but would never think to add shrimp to the mix. All of them together in the puff pastry sounds really good!

    ReplyDelete
  16. The combination of flavors in here is positively decadent! And with the puff pastry - I think it's a winner!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love both shrimp and figs but have never had them together, lush combo, and what a great dinner party entree that would be.

    ReplyDelete
  18. the figs in this sound fantastic - what a nice variety of flavors and textures.

    ReplyDelete
  19. such a interesting combination,shrimp and figs,wow!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a great project! You have definitely convinced me with your comments. I would have vowed the potato chips would be "the" best - but, if you say it is this one, this one is on my to-make list, too!. Your enthusiasm is contagious!
    :)
    Valerie

    ReplyDelete
  21. Wow!!! Karen, you are brilliant! I never thought to include figs.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Very interesting combination! While I don't eat shrimp, I'm sure this could be equally as tasty with tofu! Yum!

    ReplyDelete
  23. All of these recipes are absolutely divine. You have brought shrimp to a new level. I love them all and I know they would taste as wonderful as they look.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Seriously- it never would have occurred to me to use figs in a savory dish. This looks absolutely amazing. I will have to figure out a gf alternative to puff pastry, I'll let you know what I come up with in its place!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Mmmm....my favourite...shrimps! Looks very delicious. I like it...yum

    ReplyDelete
  26. Figs are all over the place right now! This dish sounds too amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Shrimp, fresh figs, and pears. What is there not to like. Plus..the puff pastry. I could make dinner and dessert out your dish. Looks and sounds so good.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh my goodness...these look incredible! I'm enjoying looking at all of your delicious recipes! I'll definitely be back.:)

    ReplyDelete
  29. I love that you set up your own test kitchen and go for it. Then again that seems to be the inspiration for your entire blog - fantastic! I don't think I would have ever tried figs and shrimp together but now that I see what you've done I feel like slapping myself on the head. Looks divine. Thanks for sharing and keep 'em coming.

    ReplyDelete
  30. I love your blog! I'm such a recipe addict that I applaud your "cooking courage"!!! Everything looks DE-LICIOUS:)

    ReplyDelete
  31. What a delicious combination, It looks great. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  32. These look delicious. I think I like the idea of smaller puff pastries so these are finger food. When you need a tester, just let me know.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow! Shrimps and figs, in a puff pastry! Delish! The only concern I would have, is the shrimp over being over cooked, once it's in the puff pastry, to bake in the puff pastry for an additional 20 minutes. If I would make this, I would just finish, right after I added the mascarpone cheese, to it, and mop it up with a nice crusty baguette, and bake the puff pastry with all the other ingredients, minus the shrimp. Yummm! But that's just my way of thinking. You are very adventurous, exuberant, and innovative in the kitchen, with millions of great ideas! Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Brilliant again...This has everything I adore, these are just fantastic :)

    ReplyDelete

ShareThis