Recipes and Art History: Seafood Blend Improv Recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup rice (of your choice: regular white rice, Jasmine, Basmati, other)
2 cups water
1/2 tbsp turmeric
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
One package of Trader Joe's "Seafood Blend," with shrimp, calamari rings and bay scallops (16oz package)
1 tbsp of olive oil
One can of coconut milk
A spritz of lemon juice
1 tbsp of panko or bread crumbs
Optional: a sprinkle of garam masala, coriander, cilantro

Instructions:

Cook rice, following instructions on package.

As water in rice is being absorbed, about half way through the process, add turmeric, paprika, and cayenne pepper, stirring into the rice; continue cooking until finished.

In a pan, pour olive oil, heat up, and then add drained package of seafood blend, stirring slowly, 1-2 minutes.

Add a small amount of the coconut milk, enough to cover the bottom of the pan, and continue cooking the seafood.

When seafood appears fully cooked, add the rest of the coconut milk, panko, lemon juice, and the optional spices, stir all together and mix well; turn stove top down to low and let simmer, until sauce thickens slightly.

The recipe name includes the word "improv" because one can play around with how spicy to make it; the optional spices for the seafood can also be augmented with more turmeric and cayenne pepper, if you so choose ... the amounts can vary, depending on what you like.

Serve rice in a bowl and spoon the seafood blend and sauce on top - and enjoy!

Jacob Matham: "Kitchen Scene with Kitchen Maid Preparing Fish," circa 1603

Image courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Open Access Program.