1939. BLACK BEAN BISQUE with BACON and ROCK SHRIMP ESCABECHE

makes 8 servings


1/2 pound smoked bacon, chopped
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1 pound dried black beans, rinsed
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 tomatoes, quartered
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon sherry vinegar
1/2 cup heavy cream
Rock Shrimp Escabèche (recipe below)

Cook bacon in a large Dutch oven until crisp. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in pan; drain bacon on paper towels, and reserve for another use. Add onion, celery, and carrot, and cook 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add 2 1/2 quarts water, black beans, and next 4 ingredients, and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to medium, and cook at a brisk simmer, skimming any foam, 1 1/2 hours or until beans are tender. Add salt and vinegar during last 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, and stir in cream. Puree using an immersion blender. Top each serving with a spoonful of Rock Shrimp Escabèche:

4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 pound rock shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 poblano chile peppers, cut into strips
2 red bell peppers, cut into strips
4 garlic cloves, pressed
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup sherry vinegar

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium heat; add shrimp, and sauté 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Place in a bowl, and cover with a paper towel.

Add remaining oil, onion, and next 3 ingredients to skillet, and sauté 2 to 3 minutes or until fragrant. Stir in bay leaves and next 5 ingredients. Slowly bring to a boil, and simmer 5 minutes or until onion is tender. Pour mixture over shrimp. Cover and chill 2 hours or overnight. Discard bay leaves before serving.


bacon recipe courtesy of: Rolando Cruz-Taura, Coastal Living, March 2009