Alzina's Spicy Brown Sugar Shrimp

A recipe from Alzina Toups. Read our August 2016 profile of Alzina's.

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 small onion, chopped
  • 5 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
  • 1 tbsp. tomato paste
  • 3 tbsp. tomato sauce
  • 1 tbsp. brown sugar (or more or less to taste)
  • 1 cup chicken stock, preferably homemade,
  • or quality store-bought, such as Kitchen Basics brand
  • 2 lbs. medium shrimp, peeled
  • salt and red pepper flakes, to taste
  • 1/2 cup sliced green onions
  • 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
  • hot cooked rice or hot French bread, for serving

Method

  1. Add the butter and the olive oil to a sauté pan set over medium heat. Add the onion and the garlic and cook until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes. 
  2. Add the tomato paste, tomato sauce, and brown sugar. Stir to combine thoroughly and cook until fragrant and the tomato paste has melted, about 10 minutes. 
  3. Whisk in the chicken stock and bring to a simmer. Add the shrimp and cook until they are just pink, 5 to 8 minutes. 
  4. Add the salt and the red pepper flakes and stir to combine. Add the green onions and the parsley and stir to combine. 
  5. Remove from heat and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving. Serve over hot cooked rice or with hot French bread.