Enchilado de Camarones (Cuban Shrimp in Creole Sauce)
Local name: Enchilado de camarones
In short: Shrimp simmered briefly in a sofrito of onion, green pepper, garlic and tomato with white wine, bay leaf and oregano. Served over rice. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 30 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 285 kcal
Enchilado is a Cuban way of cooking seafood in a tomato sofrito, and shrimp enchilado is the best-known version. Onion, green pepper and garlic cook down with tomato, white wine, bay leaf, cumin and a touch of vinegar, and the shrimp go in at the very end so they stay tender. The sauce is bright and savory rather than hot. It is served over white rice, with fried ripe plantains on the side, and it is a classic for family lunches and weekends.
Instructions
- Toss the shrimp with 1/2 tsp of the salt and keep them in the refrigerator while you make the sauce.
- Heat the oil in a large, deep skillet over medium heat. Cook the onion and pepper for 8 minutes until soft and translucent. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the tomato paste, then add the crushed tomatoes, wine, bay leaf, oregano, cumin, vinegar, pepper and the remaining 1/2 tsp salt.
- Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, until the sauce thickens and the raw wine smell is gone.
- Add the shrimp in a single layer and spoon sauce over them. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, turning once, until pink, curled and opaque all the way through.
- Remove the bay leaf, add hot sauce if you like, sprinkle with parsley and serve over white rice.
Tips
- Add the shrimp last and take the pan off the heat as soon as they turn opaque. Overcooked shrimp turn rubbery.
- Lobster tails, crab or firm white fish also work in enchilado. Cut fish into chunks and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes.
Questions and answers
Is enchilado spicy?
No. In Cuban cooking the word does not mean hot. The sauce is savory and tangy, with a few drops of hot sauce added only by those who like it.
Can I use frozen shrimp for enchilado?
Yes. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight or in cold water for 15 minutes, then pat them dry before adding them to the sauce.
What goes with shrimp enchilado?
White rice is the standard, with fried ripe plantains, black beans or boiled yuca. The extra sauce is excellent spooned over the rice.
How long does it take to make Enchilado de Camarones (Cuban Shrimp in Creole Sauce)?
About 50 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 30 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Enchilado de Camarones (Cuban Shrimp in Creole Sauce)?
About 285 kcal per serving, with 36 g of protein, 9 g of carbohydrates and 11 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 285 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 36 g |
| Carbohydrates | 9 g |
| Fat | 11 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 5 g |
| Sodium | 900 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
