The Perfect Shrimp Recipe

Just occasionally an ideal recipe comes along, and here is one of them.

Salt and pepper shrimp need only a skillet (well, two actually) and tongs for turning. They can be cooked indoors or outside on the grill. Any shrimp will do, large or small, from the sea or fresh water. They must be raw, and preferably peeled or you'll have some work ahead of time.

I discovered salt and pepper shrimp on the Atlantic coast of France, where brisk winds and hot sun make it possible to extract artisan salt from seawater simply by evaporation.

The finest, sparkling white fleur de sel crystallizes on the surface of man-made lagoons, then is skimmed, dried, and packed into boxes -- the pure flavor of the sea. The taste varies slightly from producer to producer, just like wine.

I was sitting in a beachfront cafe on a windy day enjoying a glass of white wine when a small plate of what looked like grilled shrimp appeared in front of me. Lifting a tail with my fingers, I chomped on a burst of sweet, salty, crisp perfection. The server was watching my reaction. "You need a grind of pepper," she said. And so I did. The pepper added yet another dimension. Soon the whole plate was gone.

I ordered another plateful and enquired from my server about the cooking.

"You heat a dry pan or a griddle scalding hot," she explained. "Toss the shrimp in cornstarch and salt, then spread them in the pan and press them down with a second heavy pan, or a weight."

Ah, there's the double secret -- a cornstarch coating is by nature light and crisp, while pressing the shrimp on the hot surface seals them at once.

Back home, after a trial or two I got it right.

A cast iron skillet is best for cooking the shrimp. They must be peeled and dried on paper towels before tossing in the cornstarch mixture for an even coating. The pan must be very hot, with a heavy weight on top of the shrimp so they cook fast. A second skillet is ideal but a frying pan and brick do well too.

Most importantly, flip the shrimp with tongs as soon as they are lightly colored and rapidly brown the other side. Remember that shrimp overcook all too quickly.

Salt and pepper shrimp are ideal back yard fare, an invitation to corn on the cob, baked potato, summer tomato vinaigrette and a green salad. And don't forget the grinder for a shower of fresh black pepper on the plate. The plump, spicy grains from Tellicherry in India would be my choice.

You can use any size of shrimp for this recipe, from those graded large at a count of 21-25 to the pound, up to the giants at 5 or 6 to the pound. They disappear fast, so allow a half-pound per person. I like to use coarse sea salt for flavor and crunch.

Salt and Pepper Shrimp: Sweet, Salty, Crisp -- the Perfect Shrimp Recipe

Serves 4

Ingredients

Preparation

1. Rinse and drain the shrimp; pat dry on paper towels. Mix cornstarch and salt in a large bowl.

2. Heat a large skillet until very hot, 3-5 minutes. Meanwhile toss shrimp in cornstarch mixture. Add oil to hot skillet -- it should smoke. Add enough shrimp to cover base of pan, spreading them flat.

3. Put another skillet on top to press shrimp down (or use a frying pan and brick as weight). Cook shrimp until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes depending on size. Remove weight, flip shrimp, put back weight and brown other side, 1-2 minutes.

4. Transfer shrimp to a warm bowl and serve at once, passing a pepper grinder separately. Reheat pan and cook remaining shrimp in the same way, passing them as seconds.

Anne Willan's latest book, "The Country Cooking of France ," published in fall 2007 by Chronicle Books, has won two James Beard Awards.

Shrimp Recipes

Summer Recipes

Mocktails: Making Memorable Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Jenn Garbee

You've hosted dozens of summer barbecues without giving the non-alcoholic beverages a second thought. However, serving powdered lemonade again this year suddenly sounds like a bad idea. The good news is making memorable mocktails -- cocktails without the power -- is even easier than shaking up spiked drinks. Without the spirit, you're dealing with one less flavor wild card. It's easier still if you approach them as gussied up versions of lemon and limeade.

Strawberry Rhubarb Almond Crumble Dessert Recipe
Wolfgang Puck

Salad Nicoise, A Colorful Summertime Salad Recipe
Diane Rossen Worthington

Corn, Leek and Chorizo Gratin Recipe
Betty Rosbottom

This Corn, Leek and Chorizo Gratin Recipe is delectable as a summer staple. Diced chorizo, the slightly spicy Spanish sausage, fresh corn kernels, and chopped leeks are sauteed. This dish makes a fine side to such main courses as barbecued chicken, grilled steaks, or sauteed pork chops.

Barbecues: Celebrity Chefs Bobby Flay, Sara Moulton & Mollie Katzen Recommend - Tips & Recipes
Francine Segan

Smoked Salmon Picnic Spread
Bev Bennett

Roasted Eggplant Dip with Tomato Relish & Crispy Pita Toasts
Diane Rossen Worthington

Zucchini, Goat Cheese and Bacon Tart Recipe
Betty Rosbottom

Goodness Gracious Greens Recipes
Joyce White

Salt and Pepper Shrimp: Sweet, Salty, Crisp -- the Perfect Shrimp Recipe

(c) 2009, Anne Willan. Distributed by Tribune Media Services Inc.