Spiced shrimp and gloriously rich red pomegranate sauce make even the most regular of parties glam! I'm getting ready for a Golden Globes viewing party this weekend and decided I wanted even the food to be celeb-worthy. I've decided on a mix of apps, snacks and treats. Stay tuned the next few days for the full menu.
Shrimp as appetizers is kind of the perfect food. It's usually one to two bites, you can flavor it a million different ways, and it can be served hot or not. With Moroccan spices it pairs well with a lemony, caramely pomegranate sauce.
Pomegranate molasses is a hidden treasure. In it's simplest form it is just reduced pomegranate juice. You can purchase it at Middle Eastern markets, but it's often hard to find, so I like to make my own.
I use it for steak and poultry sauces, vinaigrette, drizzling on roasted vegetables and swizzling into mixed drinks. It adds a bright, tangy and rich sweet flavor. When I make my own I don't bother juicing my own pomegranates, that's just messy! I use pomegranate juice from the grocery! I also add a little sugar and lemon to balance the flavors and help my molasses last longer in the fridge.
It ends up being the most extraordinary dipping sauce for my Moroccan shrimp. This is such a classy dish and great for apps while entertaining, but with salad and some crusty bread, makes a great weeknight meal as well. I piled my little apps of shrimp on top of arugula for my party platter, but that's just a pretty option.
- 1 qt pomegranate juice
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined, with tails
- ¾ tsp ground cumin
- ¾ tsp ground coriander
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- 1½ tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups (4 oz) baby arugula
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In a pot over high heat, stir together pomegranate juice, sugar and lemon juice until sugar dissolves. Boil until liquid thickens and is reduced to 1 cup, about 45 min.
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Meanwhile, toss shrimp with cumin, coriander, cinnamon, salt and olive oil and stir to coat.
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In a bowl, toss arugula with extra lemon juice and olive oil if desired. Place on a platter.
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Heat a grill pan over medium heat. Add shrimp and cook 2 min per side until pink and opaque; place on top of arugula. Pour sauce in a small dish for dipping.
Pomegranate molasses is a hidden treasure. In it's simplest form it is just reduced pomegranate juice. You can purchase it at Middle Eastern markets, but it's often hard to find, so I like to make my own.
Recipe Tara Bench & Vanessa Seder
Originally published in Ladies' Home Journal Apr 2009
Photography Miki Dusterhof
Food Styling Jee Levin
Prop Styling Pamela Duncan Silver
Mary Bench says
This sauce is lovely! We love it!