Garlicky Butter Shrimp Gratin
A delectable homage to classic French cuisine, this Garlicky Butter Shrimp Gratin combines tender shrimp with a rich blend of herbs, aromatic garlic, and buttery breadcrumbs. Originally featured in a 1947 issue of Gourmet Magazine, this dish hails from the iconic de Jonghe's restaurant in Chicago. With just the right amount of garlic to awaken your taste buds, while still letting the butter shine, this recipe invites a comforting nostalgia for flavors that once turned heads. Perfect for a weeknight dinner, it pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine and a side salad, making it a delightful meal that the entire family will love.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
large shrimp
2 lbs (shelled and deveined (about 48))
garlic
1 clove (mashed to a paste)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (divided)
fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
fresh chervil
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
dried thyme
1 pinch (crumbled)
shallot
1 (minced)
onion
1 tablespoon (minced)
unsalted butter
1 cup (softened)
fine dry breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cups (divided)
freshly grated nutmeg
1 pinch
mace
1 pinch
black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (divided)
Instructions
1
Fill a 4-quart pot with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4 quarts of water.
2
Once the water is boiling, add the shrimp and cook for about 1 1/2 minutes until just cooked through. Avoid overcooking.
3
Drain the shrimp in a colander and promptly transfer them to a large bowl filled with ice water to halt the cooking process.
4
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
5
In a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic with 1/4 teaspoon of salt until it forms a smooth paste. If you don't have a mortar and pestle, mince the garlic finely and combine it with the salt using the flat edge of a knife.
6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the garlic paste with the fresh tarragon, parsley, chervil, dried thyme, minced shallot, minced onion, 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) of softened unsalted butter, 1 cup of fine dry breadcrumbs, nutmeg, mace, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Mix until evenly combined.
7
In a separate bowl, melt the remaining 1/2 stick of butter and stir it together with the remaining 1/2 cup of breadcrumbs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to create a topping.
8
Butter a 3-quart flameproof gratin dish or a wide shallow ceramic baking dish, and arrange the shrimp in a single layer, slightly overlapping if necessary.
9
Evenly spread the herbed breadcrumb mixture over the shrimp, followed by a sprinkling of the breadcrumb topping.
10
Bake the dish in the upper third of the preheated oven for about 15 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
11
For an extra crisp topping, turn on the broiler and broil the gratin for an additional 2 minutes until the crumbs are richly golden.
12
Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Garlicky Butter Shrimp Gratin?
Garlicky Butter Shrimp Gratin is a French-inspired dish featuring tender shrimp topped with a rich blend of fresh herbs, garlic, and buttery breadcrumbs.
What is the origin of this shrimp gratin recipe?
This dish is an homage to a classic recipe from the iconic de Jonghe's restaurant in Chicago, which was featured in a 1947 issue of Gourmet Magazine.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to serve 8 people.
What type and size of shrimp should I use?
You should use 2 lbs of large shrimp that have been shelled and deveined, which is approximately 48 shrimp.
How long should I boil the shrimp?
Boil the shrimp for about 1 1/2 minutes until they are just cooked through, taking care not to overcook them.
Why do I need an ice bath for the shrimp?
The ice water halts the cooking process immediately, ensuring the shrimp remain tender and don't become rubbery from residual heat.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How do I make the garlic paste if I don't have a mortar and pestle?
You can mince the garlic very finely and then use the flat edge of a knife to mash it with salt into a smooth paste.
Which fresh herbs are included in the herbed breadcrumb mixture?
The mixture includes fresh tarragon, fresh parsley, and fresh chervil.
What dried herbs and spices are used?
The recipe uses dried thyme, freshly grated nutmeg, mace, salt, and black pepper.
How much butter is needed for this recipe?
You will need 1 cup (2 sticks) of softened unsalted butter in total: 3/4 cup for the herb mixture and 1/4 cup for the topping.
What type of breadcrumbs should I use?
Fine dry breadcrumbs are recommended for both the herb mixture and the golden topping.
What kind of baking dish is best for this gratin?
A 3-quart flameproof gratin dish or a wide, shallow ceramic baking dish is ideal.
How long does the dish need to bake?
Bake the dish for about 15 minutes in the upper third of the oven until the top is golden brown.
How can I get a crispier topping on my gratin?
After baking, turn on the broiler for about 2 minutes to give the breadcrumbs an extra golden and crispy finish.
Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
The recipe specifies unsalted butter to allow you to control the saltiness with the added salt measurements.
How should the shallots and onions be prepared?
Both the shallot and the onion should be minced finely before being added to the herb mixture.
How much salt should be added to the boiling water?
Use 1 tablespoon of salt for every 4 quarts of boiling water.
How do I arrange the shrimp in the dish?
Arrange the shrimp in a single layer, slightly overlapping them if necessary to fit the dish.
What are the two different breadcrumb layers?
The first is an herbed breadcrumb mixture that coats the shrimp, and the second is a simple melted butter and breadcrumb topping for crunch.
What is mace, and can it be omitted?
Mace is the outer lace-like covering of the nutmeg seed; it adds a subtle aromatic depth. If unavailable, you can use a tiny bit more nutmeg.
Is this recipe suitable for a family dinner?
Yes, it is a comforting and flavorful dish that is generally well-loved by the entire family.
What beverage pairs well with Garlicky Butter Shrimp Gratin?
It pairs beautifully with a crisp white wine.
What side dishes go well with this recipe?
A fresh side salad is recommended to balance the richness of the buttery gratin.
Does the recipe contain any sugar or fiber?
Based on the ingredients, this recipe contains very little sugar and minimal fiber from the herbs and breadcrumbs.
What part of the oven should I use for baking?
The dish should be placed in the upper third of the oven for even browning.
Can I prepare the garlic paste in advance?
Yes, the garlic paste can be mashed ahead of time, but for the best flavor, it should be combined with the herbs shortly before baking.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients used in this Garlicky Butter Shrimp Gratin.
Is this a fast recipe to make?
While there are several steps for prep, the actual boiling takes 1.5 minutes and baking takes only 15 minutes, making it quite manageable.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, but ensure they are completely thawed and patted dry before boiling to ensure accurate cooking times.