want to listen to the recipe ?
Do you want a flavorful, easy meal? Butter shrimp may be the perfect choice! This dish offers a delicious twist on classic Indian butter chicken. You can prepare butter shrimp quickly. It’s full of flavor and adaptable to your preferences.
The Story Behind Butter Shrimp: From Delhi to Your Dinner Table
Butter chicken comes from India. Chefs likely created the dish in Delhi in the 1950s [not from sources]. The creamy makhani sauce is delicious with many proteins. Butter shrimp builds on the versatility of this sauce. Both dishes are now popular worldwide.
Ingredients
You’ll need these ingredients to make delicious butter shrimp:
For the Shrimp:
- 1 pound shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 6 tablespoons butter or ghee, divided
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste, divided
- 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder (adjust to your spice level), divided
For the Makhani Sauce:
- 2 cups sliced onion
- 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- ¼ cup cashews
- 2 tomatoes, roughly chopped
- ¾ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- 1 ½ teaspoons cumin powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon tandoori masala (optional)
- ½ teaspoon fennel powder (optional)
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons kasuri methi (dried fenugreek leaves)
- Lemon juice (to taste)
Tips for Selecting Ingredients:
- Use canned tomato sauce, not marinara or pasta sauce.
- Grind raw cashews for the best flavor and texture.
- Use fresh spices for the best results.
Dietary Considerations:
- For gluten-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream [not from sources].
- For dairy-free or vegan, use coconut cream instead of heavy cream [not from sources].
[woo_product_slider id=”3030″]
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
1. Prepare the Shrimp:
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Add shrimp and ½ tablespoon ginger-garlic paste.
- Cook until pink (about 1 minute).
- Remove shrimp from the pan and set aside.
2. Make the Makhani Sauce:
- Add the remaining butter to the pan.
- Sauté onions until they start to brown.
- Add the remaining ginger-garlic paste and tomato paste.
- Cook for a few minutes until the tomato paste caramelizes.
- Add salt and spices (turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, cumin powder, coriander powder, tandoori masala, and fennel powder).
- Cook for 1 minute.
- Add cashews and tomatoes.
- Stir and set aside.
3. Blend the Sauce:
- Let the sauce cool slightly.
- Transfer the sauce to a blender or food processor.
- Blend until smooth.
4. Finish the Dish:
- Pour the blended sauce back into the pan over low heat.
- Stir in heavy cream or half-and-half.
- Add the cooked shrimp.
- Stir in kasuri methi and lemon juice.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
Variations and Customizations
Spice Level: You can adjust the cayenne pepper or chili powder to your taste.
Creaminess: Use heavy cream, half-and-half, or coconut milk for a different level of richness.
Vegetarian/Vegan: Replace shrimp with paneer, tofu, or vegetables. Adjust spices as needed [not from sources].
Serving Suggestions
Serve butter shrimp with:
- Basmati rice
- Naan
You can also try:
- Jeera rice or vegetable pulao [not from sources].
- Roti or paratha [not from sources].
- A side salad with a yogurt-based dressing [not from sources].
Pairing and Enjoying Your Butter Shrimp
Drinks: Enjoy butter shrimp with a light white wine, crisp lager, lassi, or another refreshing drink [not from sources].
Setting the Mood: Create a nice atmosphere with Indian music or décor [not from sources].
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
You can make the sauce ahead of time [not from sources]. Refrigerate leftovers for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Sustainability Considerations
When possible, choose sustainably sourced shrimp to protect our oceans [not from sources]. Check resources like the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program for sustainable options [not from sources].
Conclusion
Butter shrimp is a delicious and easy meal. You can customize it to your liking. Try this flavorful dish and share it with your friends and family!