Il Cucinologo
EN

Kataifi-Wrapped Shrimp with Asparagus Sauce

17/11/2023

I can suggest a recipe for preparing kataifi-wrapped shrimp with asparagus sauce, a dish with a crispy texture and refined flavor. This recipe is a perfect blend of Italian cuisine and international influences. Here’s how to proceed:

Ingredients

  • For the shrimp:

    • 12 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
    • 150 g kataifi pastry
    • Extra-virgin olive oil for frying
    • Salt and pepper to taste

  • For the asparagus sauce:

    • 250 g fresh asparagus
    • 50 ml heavy cream
    • 1 shallot
    • 20 g butter
    • Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Prepare the shrimp:

    • Take the cleaned shrimp, leaving only the tail attached for easy handling later.
    • Season the shrimp with salt and pepper.
    • Wrap each shrimp in kataifi pastry, leaving the tail uncovered. Set aside.

  2. Prepare the asparagus sauce:

    • Clean the asparagus, removing the toughest part of the stem.
    • Cook the asparagus in boiling salted water until tender, then drain and cool in ice water.
    • In a pan, sauté the finely chopped shallot in butter until translucent.
    • Add the cooked asparagus and let them absorb the flavors for a couple of minutes.
    • Transfer the asparagus and shallot to a blender, add the cream, and blend until smooth and homogeneous.
    • Adjust salt and pepper and keep the sauce warm.

  3. Cook the shrimp:

    • In a pan, heat plenty of extra-virgin olive oil.
    • When the oil is hot, fry the kataifi-wrapped shrimp until golden and crispy.
    • Remove the shrimp from the oil and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

  4. Plating:

    • Spoon some warm asparagus sauce into the center of each plate.
    • Place the shrimp on top of the sauce and garnish as desired with fresh herbs or other edible decorations.

Fun Facts

Kataifi pastry is a type of shredded phyllo dough of Greek origin, often used for both sweet and savory preparations in the Mediterranean and Middle East. The crispiness it gives the shrimp creates a pleasant contrast with the creaminess of the asparagus sauce.

This dish makes a perfect appetizer for an elegant dinner or a refined yet light main course for lunch. Enjoy!