Langoustines or Shrimp with Garlic and Parsley (Camarones Tia Cuquita)
I met Doña Cuquita, an old-fashioned matron with three unmarried older daughters, while I was studying in Guadalajara. Doña Cuquita was stern-looking, with hair in a bun and little glasses on the tip of her nose, but this belied a heart of gold. Her oldest daughter, also named Cuquita, took a liking to me and welcomed the opportunity to practice her English. They often invited me to their family comidas, and what delicious lunches they were! Doña Cuquita was a fabulous cook, and kind enough always to give me her recipes for the dishes we ate. These langoustines were part of a memorable meal. Unfortunately, it is hard to get fresh langoustines. You might need to substitute either very large shrimps or prawns (like the Asian freshwater prawns widely sold in U.S. fish stores). The Italian parsley is used a lot in Mexican recipes; we call it "perejil."
Ingredients
- 2 pounds fresh langoustines lobsterettes, Asian freshwater prawns, or “colossal” (10 or fewer to a pound) shrimp
- Salt and freshly ground white pepper
- ½ cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 6 cloves garlic
- ¼ cup Italian parsley
- ½ cup dry white wine more or less as needed
- 3 tablespoons butter or olive oil
Instructions
- Leave langoustines in the shell; rinse well under cold running water. With a small sharp knife, slit open the belly enough to hold a small amount of stuffing. Sprinkle the inside of the belly with a little salt and pepper, then with lime juice.
- Mince garlic and parsley together very finely and place in a small bowl. Gradually add just enough white wine to moisten them.
- Stuff a little of the mixture into the incision in each langoustine.
- In a sauté pan or saucepan with tight-fitting lid and large enough to hold the langoustines comfortably in one layer, heat the butter over high heat until fragrant and sizzling.
- Arrange langoustines shell side down. Cook covered, adjusting heat as necessary, just until langoustines are opaque, 5-6 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 209kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 27gFat: 8gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 222mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 425mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 471IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 92mgIron: 2mg
