Shrimp Rillettes aka Shrimp Spread
Rillettes are found throughout France. Traditionally made with pork or duck, and are essentially pulverized confit, shredded meat smashed with fat to produce a rich, rustic paste for spreading on bread. The meat is cooked slowly over low heat until very tender – this is the confit – then raked into small shreds and blended with the warm cooking fat to form a rustic paste. Rillettes, like confit were originally a means of preservation. The meat could be stored in crocks under a layer of fat in a cool place. These are shrimp rillettes and simply put, it's a shrimp spread or shrimp dip.
Servings: 8
Calories: 88kcal
Ingredients
- tablespoon pure olive oil
- ½ sweet onion chopped
- 1 bay leaf preferably fresh
- 8 ounces peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 ounces Neufchatel or light cream cheese softened
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives
- daikon cucumber slices, or crackers, for serving
- Coarse salt and freshly ground white pepper
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over moderate heat. Add onion and bay leaf. Cook until clear and translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the shrimp. Season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are pink and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Remove and discard the bay leaf. Place the mixture in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the blade attachment.
- Add the butter and cheese. Puree until smooth. Add lemon juice, chives, and salt and pepper to taste and transfer to a 1 1/2-cup crock, or to 3 small jars and cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic wrap directly onto surface of shrimp mixture. Refrigerate at least 8 hours to blend flavors or up to 3 days. Let stand 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 88kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 64mg | Sodium: 82mg | Potassium: 110mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 240IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 0.2mg