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Lowcountry shrimp perloo
Charleston tomato rice cooked with shrimp and bacon
Perloo (or purloo, pilau) is the Charleston and Savannah family of rice dishes born on the Carolina Gold rice plantations, where West African cooks simmered rice in rich broth with whatever the coast or yard gave. This one uses smoked bacon (pork), tomato and fresh shrimp, so every grain is separate, red-tinged and full of flavour. Chef's tip: once the lid goes on, don't lift it or stir; perloo should be fluffy, never creamy like risotto.
- Total time
- 60 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
- 5 ½ oz smoked streaky baconchopped
- 1 oniondiced
- 2 celery sticksdiced
- 1 green pepperdiced
- 2 cloves garliccrushed
- 12 ½ oz long-grain white ricerinsed
- 14 oz chopped tomatoes
- 2 cups shrimp or chicken stock
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 ⅛ lb raw peeled prawns
- 2 tbsp fresh parsleychopped
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Fry the 5 ½ oz smoked streaky bacon in a heavy casserole over a medium heat for 6 minutes until crisp. Lift out half for garnish.
6 minStep 2: Add the 1 onion, 2 celery sticks and 1 green pepper to the fat and cook 8 minutes until soft, then the 2 cloves garlic for 1 minute.
9 minStep 3: Stir in the 12 ½ oz long-grain white rice for 2 minutes until coated, then add the 14 oz chopped tomatoes, 2 cups shrimp or chicken stock, 3 sprigs fresh thyme, 1 bay leaf, 1 tsp salt and ¼ tsp cayenne pepper. Bring to the boil.
5 minStep 4: Cover tightly and cook on the lowest heat for 15 minutes. Lift the lid quickly, scatter the 1 ⅛ lb raw peeled prawns over the top, cover again and cook 6–8 minutes, until the rice is tender and the shrimp are pink and opaque.
22 minStep 5: Rest 5 minutes off the heat, then fluff gently with a fork. A common mistake is stirring during cooking, which makes it gluey. Top with the reserved bacon and 2 tbsp fresh parsley.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 420 kcal
- Protein
- 24 g
- Carbs
- 52 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does lowcountry shrimp perloo take?
- About 60 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 40 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of celery sticks?
- Fennel, same weight.
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