I’m such a sucker for a nice cream sauce, especially when it’s drizzled over shrimp…. OH YEAH!  Tie my hair up, give me a napkin and listen as silence overpowers the room.  Only chewing noises will reach your ears and you will see the face of a happy gal as I relish every last morsel of my plate….. Here’s a recipe you can do the same with.

Ingredients for broccoli cream sauce:

1 –  stick butter

2 – cups red onion (diced)  

3 – cups broccoli head (chopped small)

1 – tablespoon minced garlic

1/4 – cup sauvignon blanc

2 – cups vegetable broth

1 1/2 – cups 1/2 & 1/2

Chop red onion into small cubes, and trim the heads off the broccoli. Then take the broccoli heads and dice really small.  Place to the side.

In a large frying pan over a medium high flame…. Melt your butter, then add onion, broccoli bits, and garlic. Mix well until all butter is absorbed  and continue sauteing for about 10 minutes.

Then add in sauvignon blanc, and let that reduce for about 10 to 15 minutes.

Next pour in the vegetable broth, and continue to reduce for about 20 to 25 minutes or until most liquid is evaporated.

Once it starts to look a bit murky… then add in the 1/2 & 1/2, and lower the flame a little…. let it simmer for about 20 to 25 minutes. That’s it the broccoli sauce is done.

Ingredients for shrimp skewers:

1 – pound shrimp (cleaned and deveined)

1 – tablespoon olive oil

1- teaspoon garlic

1/2 – teaspoon Lawry’s

1/2 – teaspoon black pepper

1/2 – teaspoon basil

1/2 – teaspoon chili flakes

6 to 7 wooden skewers

Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Let marinate for a 20 to 30 minutes. Then string shrimp on skewer…. 5 per skewer.

On a hot grill add shrimp skewers and cook on each side for 5 minutes or until perfectly pinkish.

Then serve on a plate with steamed rice, a wedge of lemon, and a nice serving of broccoli sauce. Your tastebuds will thank you.

This recipe is my stand-by dish that I make every Thanksgiving.  I first brought it to the table many years back to add a hint of shock to our feast, but instead it was so well received that it became a beloved favorite.  I’m not sure that was the response I was looking for but that’s how things unraveled.  My szechuan style green beans have been the most requested dish ever since and have caused havoc many times.  With dinner guests requesting any glimpse of leftovers and people hiding them wherever they could, inside purses or at the back of the refrigerator in a non-see through container.  Try them at your dinner table this year and watch your loved ones react.

All photos taken by: Luz Gallardo

Ingredients for Szechuan style green beans:

2 – pounds green beans (cleaned and tips trimmed)

4 – tablespoons butter

1/2 – teaspoon chili flakes

1/2 – teaspoon chili oil

1/2 – teaspoon Lawry’s seasoning salt

1/2 – teaspoon black pepper

6 – tablespoons sauvignon blanc

1 – tablespoon minced garlic

4 – teaspoons soy sauce

2 – teaspoons toasted sesame seeds

1/4 – cup chopped green onion

Clean and trim green beans, by snipping off ends and running under cold water. Set to the side to dry.

In a large frying pan or wok over a medium flame, add butter and allow to melt and get hot, don’t let it burn though. Then add green beans and mix to coat.  Once all beans are coated in butter add chili flakes and chili oil.

And saute for 5 minutes or so then add Lawry’s and black pepper.

Continue to saute for another 5 to 8 minutes. You’ll want some of the green beans to start to brown, and look like this.

Now is the time to add the sauvignon blanc. Your pan will steam up… this is great. Mix well and  continue the saute for another 5 to 8 minutes. Then add garlic and soy sauce.

Mix well and saute for another minute or so. Lastly sprinkle with sesame seeds and green onion. Serve on a plate and watch them disappear!

 感恩节快乐   (Happy Thanksgiving)