Belgian Endive with Gold Coast Shrimp Salad
- 12 cups water
- 1 carrot, coarsely chopped
- 1 stalk celery, coarsely chopped
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1/2 onion, preferably Vidalia, peeled
- 2 bay leaves, preferably fresh
- 1 tablespoon coarse salt, plus more to taste
- 1 pound unshelled large shrimp (21/25 count)
- 4 to 6 heads Belgian endive
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (page 282)
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 30 fresh tarragon leaves, for garnish
- To poach the shrimp, combine the water, carrot, celery, lemon, onion, bay leaves, and 1 tablespoon of the salt in a large pot.
- Bring to a boil over high heat, then decrease the heat to low.
- Simmer gently for about 10 minutes to make a flavorful court-bouillon.
- Have ready a frozen freezer pack sealed in a heavy-duty plastic bag or a large heavy-duty sealable plastic bag filled with ice cubes.
- Make an ice bath to cool the shrimp: transfer several cups (or more, depending on the quantity of shrimp) of the broth to a large heatproof bowl.
- Place the ice pack in the bowl of broth; move the pack around until the broth is well chilled (drain and add more ice to the bag as needed).
- Return the heat to high and bring the remaining mixture to a rolling boil.
- Add the shrimp and boil until the shells are pink and the meat is white, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Do not overcook.
- Drain the shrimp in a colander or remove with a slotted spoon, then immediately transfer to the chilled liquid to stop the cooking process.
- Set aside.
- To prepare the endive, cut off and discard the root ends.
- Pull the heads apart one leaf at a time.
- Arrange the leaves in concentric circles like a flower on a large platter.
- To prepare the salad, peel, devein, and coarsely chop the shrimp.
- Place in a bowl with the chopped tarragon and mayonnaise; stir to combine.
- Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt and pepper.
- To assemble, place 1 generous teaspoon of shrimp salad near the trimmed bottom edge of each endive leaf.
- Garnish each with a tarragon leaf.
- Serve immediately.
- The shrimp salad can be prepared completely ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- The leaves can be prepared and wrapped in damp paper towels in a sealable plastic bag overnight.
- Finally, up to 2 hours ahead, the filled endive leaves can be arranged on the platter, covered with a damp paper towel, and refrigerated.
- Serve chilled.
water, carrot, celery, lemon, onion, bay leaves, coarse salt, shrimp, endive, tarragon, mayonnaise, freshly ground black pepper, tarragon
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/belgian-endive-with-gold-coast-shrimp-salad-380292 (may not work)