Il Cucinologo
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Kataifi-Wrapped Shrimp with Apricot Jam Sauce

17/11/2023

This recipe is a delicious marriage of sea and sweetness, with a crunchy touch from the kataifi pastry. Here’s how to prepare kataifi-wrapped shrimp with apricot jam sauce:

Ingredients

  • 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 200 g kataifi pastry
  • 100 g melted butter
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Apricot jam, about 150 g
  • Balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • Extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation

  1. Start by preparing the shrimp. Remove the shrimp’s intestinal tract by gently cutting along the back, then rinse them under cold running water. Pat them dry with paper towels and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

  2. Take the kataifi pastry and gently unroll it. If it’s too long, cut the strands to make them manageable. Wrap each shrimp with the kataifi pastry, leaving only the tail exposed for easier handling when eating. To handle the kataifi pastry better, keep it covered with a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out while you work.

  3. Once the shrimp are fully wrapped, brush each one with the melted butter.

  4. Heat a pan with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the shrimp and cook until the pastry turns golden and crispy, turning them once to ensure even cooking.

  5. While the shrimp cook, prepare the sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the apricot jam with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and the lemon juice. Heat the sauce over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches a slightly fluid consistency.

  6. Once ready, serve the shrimp hot accompanied by the apricot jam sauce, warm or at room temperature.

Fun Fact

Kataifi pastry is very popular in Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine, and is often used for desserts. The challenge of using it in a savory dish with shrimp is an example of how cuisines from different cultures can blend to create new and surprising dishes. The crispiness of the kataifi pastry and the sweetness of the apricot jam enhance the delicate, succulent flavor of the shrimp, offering a very pleasant contrast of textures and flavors on the palate.