| Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 20 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 320 | 13g | 2g | 12g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 3g | 24g | 1.2g |
Why I Love Turkish Külbastı Shrimp
There’s a certain magic to the process of creating a flavorful dish from a collection of seemingly unrelated components. The subtly intricate artistry of combining ingredients into a symphonic medley of taste is indeed a pleasure I hold dear. Külbastı Shrimp, a succulent Turkish delicacy, is one such recipe that evokes this sense of culinary magic for me.
The Art of Flavor Fusion
The Külbastı Shrimp harmonizes contrasting flavor profiles to create a cohesive tapestry of taste. The robust and hearty tones of bell peppers and onions meet the delicate, sweet flavors of shrimp. Add to the ensemble a touch of playful spice from Turkish red pepper flakes, and you’ve got a symphony of flavors that sing to your palate!
Inspiration and Pairings
This recipe traces its roots back to the vibrant, aromatic cuisine of Turkish culture. While my cooking is strongly influenced by my New England and Irish background, I’m also inspired by the global gastronomy and the teachings of worldly chefs like Rick Stein, whose love for Turkish cuisine has often resonated with me. To provide contrast and depth to your dining experience, match the Külbastı Shrimp with a rustic loaf of Irish soda bread or a simple bowl of steamed jasmine rice.
Liam’s Touch
The things I cherish the most about this recipe is, it’s proof of how food can transcend geographical and cultural boundaries to create new experiences. As a Boston native, I can say that perfectly cooked seafood, like this prime example of shrimp, boasts of my homeland’s rich marine life. The addition of a humble yet flavorful tomato paste resonates with me deeply, much like the homey, comfortable vibes of traditional Irish cooking I grew up with. Also, the seasoning of lemon juice emits a dash of freshness like the brisk air of a Boston morning — bright, invigorating, and deeply grounding.
So to all my fellow gastronomes, I present Külbastı Shrimp — a cross-continental culinary gift that blurs the lines of flavor, kindles your taste buds, and expands your culinary horizons.
What You’ll Need
- 2 pounds of large raw shrimps, peeled and deveined
- 4 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 red bell peppers, sliced
- 2 green bell peppers, sliced
- 2 large onions, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 teaspoon of Turkish red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon of dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1/4 cup of water
- Freshly squeezed juice of 1 lemon
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Method
Step One
Firstly, place the peeled shrimps in a medium-sized bowl. Add a tablespoon of olive oil, Turkish red pepper flakes, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well until the shrimps are coated with the flavors and set aside to marinate.
Step Two
Next, heat three tablespoons of olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onions, sliced red and green bell peppers to the frying pan. Cook these for about 5-7 minutes or until the vegetables are softened and their edges are slightly caramelized. Then add minced garlic to the pan and cook for another minute or until the garlic is fragrant.
Step Three
Add the tomato paste to the frying pan and mix well. Cook the mixture for about 2 minutes or until the tomato paste darkens a bit and gives out a rich aroma. Then, pour in the water and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix these well with the vegetables in the pan.
Step Four
Add the marinated shrimps to the frying pan, distribute them evenly, and make sure they are mostly submerged in the vegetable mixture. Cover the pan and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes or until the shrimps are fully cooked and turn pink. Avoid overcooking the shrimps as they may become chewy.
Step Five
Lastly, adjust the seasonings if necessary and remove the frying pan from the heat. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the Külbastı Shrimp for garnish. Your delicious Turkish shrimp dish is ready to serve.
