One of the loveliest dinners we had on the Côte d´Azure, on the southern coast of France, at Restaurant Moulin de Mougins was their sea scallop salad with their orange, ginger vinaigrette. The Chef was kind enough to provide the recipe, and it has become a home favorite for special occasions. This time I had tried it with fresh Jumbo Shrimp, as Sea Scallops are not in season.
JUMBO SHRIMP WITH ORANGE GINGER VINAIGRETTE
1 Cup of fresh squeezed orange juice
1 tsp. of Dijon Mustard ( I employ Maille Brand )
6 tblsps. of Evoo ( I use 100% Hojiblanca )
2 1/2 tsps. of minced or grated peeled fresh Ginger
4 frozen baby Artichokes thawed thoroughly
8 ounces of fresh Spinach Leaves
1 tblsp. Evoo
18 Jumbo Shrimp ( variety available in your local vicinity )
2 oranges peeled, pith removed and sliced
1) In a sauce pan, over medium heat, simmer the fresh squeezed orange juice until it is reduced to 1/3 cup, about 6 to 7 minutes
2) Reduce the flame to low simmer, and whisk in the Dijon, and then the Evoo and stir gently, while adding the minced or grated ginger
3) Adjust seasoning by adding salt and freshly ground black, rose, white and green peppercorns
4) Take the saucepan off the stove top burner and reserve
5) Steam the artichoke hearts until tender, about 5 minutes
6) Bring to room temperature
7) Slice the artichoke hearts and divide the fresh spinach amongst salad bowls
8) Heat the Evoo in a large sauté skillet, and add the jumbo shrimp; sauteíng until coral red, about 1 1/2 minutes to 2 mins. per side
9) Place the drained jumbo shrimp on top of the spinach leaves and spoon drizzle the dressing over the shellfish
10) season with freshly ground peppercorns and a sprinkle of salt
11) adorn with orange slices and serve warm with crusty hot bread and a Sparkling white wine of choice
Enjoy, and have a lovely weekend.
*** To All My New Colleagues; please excuse my absence; however, the Mother of my husband´s brother´s wife had passed on last week; after having been in hospital on and off ... She was 90, thus, we had expected ... We had travelled to support our lovely sister in law, who is truly a gem up in the northern part of Iberian Peninsula on the French border ... We had taken a side trip enroute for 3 days 2 nights, to chill.
J.M.
