Here’s a fun and easy way to whip up a delicious dinner: Spicy Shrimp with Cauliflower Mash and Garlic Kale. It’s like a fancy restaurant meal, but you can make it right at home on a weeknight!
First, let’s gather our ingredients. For the cauliflower mash, you’ll need:
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 head of cauliflower, chopped into small florets (about 6 cups)
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 cup of milk
- 3 cups of vegetable or chicken broth
- One 14-ounce can of white beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup of cornmeal
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or havarti work great)
- 1 teaspoon of salt
For the garlic kale, you’ll need:
- 1 tablespoon of bacon fat (or olive oil if you prefer)
- 3 cups of kalettes or chopped kale
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
And for the spicy shrimp:
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 1/2 pounds of shrimp (enough for 4 people)
- A few good shakes of garlic salt, chili powder, cayenne, and/or black pepper
Now, let’s get cooking!
Start with the cauliflower mash. Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot, then add the cauliflower and garlic. Give it a quick sauté until the garlic smells amazing. Then, pour in the milk and 2 cups of broth. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes until the cauliflower is soft. Add the white beans and mash everything together with the back of a large wooden spoon. Don’t worry if it looks a bit soupy. Stir in the cornmeal and it’ll start to thicken up. You can add the last cup of broth if you need to adjust the consistency. Finally, stir in the cheese and season to taste.
Next, let’s tackle the kale. Heat the bacon fat in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add the greens and garlic and sauté until they’re nice and soft. If you’re using kalettes, you might want to add a little water at the end to steam them. Once they’re done, remove the kale from the pan and give it a quick wipe with a paper towel.
Finally, the shrimp. In the same skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Pat the shrimp dry, add them to the pan, and sprinkle with your seasonings. Cook for just a few minutes, then add a quick splash of water or broth (about 2 tablespoons) to the pan. This will help pull up all the tasty browned bits and spices from the bottom of the pan and make a delicious sauce for the shrimp.
To serve, pile a big scoop of cauliflower mash on each plate, top with the garlic kale, and finish with the spicy shrimp. Enjoy your homemade gourmet dinner!
This recipe should take about 15 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to cook. It’s a great choice for a healthy, gluten-free dinner. Enjoy!
