Seared Louisiana Shrimp with Black Pepper Flapjacks, Toasted Pecans, Strawberries, and Honey Syrup

Appetizers

Breakfast/Brunch

Makes 12 Servings

Recipe Courtesy of Chef Cory Bahr, Cotton, Monroe, LA

Ingredients:

Syrup

1¼ cups local honey
1/2 cup Steen's cane syrup
1/2 cup sherry vinegar
1/2 cup bourbon
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger
1 teaspoon toasted cumin seeds
1 tablespoon finely chopped shallots
2 sticks cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Flap Jacks

1 cup cornmeal
1 cup flour
2 tablespoons freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 cup sour cream
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk

Pecans

1 cup Louisiana pecans
1/2 stick butter, melted
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste

Shrimp

36 jumbo (10 count) Gulf shrimp, peeled and deveined, heads and tails left on
1/2 cup olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Garnishes

sprigs of fresh mint
2 cups arugula
1 pint Louisiana strawberries, washed, trimmed and sliced

Louisiana Shrimp with Black Pepper Flapjacks

shrimp with flapjacks

Click for Video of Cooking Demonstration

Method:

Syrup

Combine all ingredients except butter in a non-reactive (stainless steel) sauce pan over medium-high heat and cook until reduced by half. Add cold butter to reduction slowly and whisk to incorporate.

Set aside in a warm place.

Flapjacks

Sift dry ingredients together, add remaining ingredients and fold together.

Set aside.

Add tablespoons of batter a bit larger than a silver dollar to a nonstick skillet set over medium and cook until golden and light to the touch, turning once. Place on paper towels and keep warm.

Pecans

Toss pecans in butter and season with salt and pepper. Sear on a hot grill for 2 minutes per side until shrimp are just opaque.

Presentation

For each serving, arrange a flapjack in the center of a plate. Divide strawberries, arugula, mint, and shrimp among flapjacks. Drizzle with syrup. Sprinkle with pecans.