Imagine a dish that transports you to the elegant streets of Paris with just one bite - our Shrimps with Cognac Sauce is that magical culinary journey! This decadent French-inspired recipe combines succulent shrimp, rich cognac, and a velvety cream sauce that will make your taste buds dance with pure gastronomic pleasure. Perfect for date nights, special occasions, or when you simply want to elevate your home cooking to restaurant-quality sophistication.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: French
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup cognac
- 1 cup rice
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the shrimp thoroughly under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine rice and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18-20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Sauté minced garlic in the skillet for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until they turn pink and are just opaque.
- Carefully add cognac to the skillet and allow it to flame briefly, tilting the pan away from you. If using a gas stove, use caution during flambéing.
- Reduce heat and stir in heavy cream, creating a rich sauce. Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve the shrimp and cognac sauce over the prepared rice, garnishing with fresh chopped parsley if desired.
Tips
- Always use fresh, high-quality shrimp and pat them completely dry before cooking to ensure perfect searing.
- When flambéing with cognac, keep a lid nearby in case you need to quickly extinguish the flames, and never pour cognac directly from the bottle near an open flame.
- Use medium-high heat to get a beautiful golden color on the shrimp without overcooking them.
- For extra flavor, consider using homemade vegetable broth instead of store-bought for the rice.
- Choose a good-quality cognac - the flavor will shine through in the sauce.
- Let the shrimp rest for a minute after cooking to retain their juiciness.
- If you prefer less alcohol, you can substitute cognac with brandy or white wine.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 30g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Cholesterol: 220mg
