Curry Shrimp

Curry Shrimp
Recipe courtesy of James Palmer
Serves 2 as first course

2 tablespoons olive oil
8 extra-large or jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined with the tail section left on
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon very thinly sliced basil
1/4 Scotch bonnet chile pepper, seeded and julienned
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/2 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons Curry Sauce (recipe follows)
1/2 Cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 1/2 cups cooked white rice
1 coconut, halved
Fried plantain chips, for garnish (optional)
Fried ginger pieces, for garnish (optional)

Heat oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add shrimp, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Add basil, Scotch bonnet pepper, garlic, and onion, stirring shrimp to coat. Remove skillet from heat, and add wine. Return to heat, and add curry sauce and coconut milk. Cook, stirring until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, 3 to 5 minutes.  Place 3/4 cup of rice in each coconut half. Place 4 shrimp on each rice mound, and top with coconut curry sauce. Garnish with fried plantain chips and fried ginger, if desired. Serve immediately.

Curry Sauce
Makes 3/4 cup

1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons curry powder
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 scallion, trimmed and finely chopped
1 fresh thyme
6 ounces unsweetened coconut milk

Heat oil in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over low heat. Add curry powder, and cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Add onion, garlic, bell pepper, scallion, and thyme. Cook until vegetables are soft, 3 to 5 minutes. Add 3 cups water, and simmer over low heat for 1 hour. Add coconut milk, and stir until well combined. Strain into a small saucepan, and continue cooking until reduced and the sauce thickly coats the back of a spoon, 8 to 10 minutes more. Sauce may be stored, covered, in refrigerator for up to 1 week.