At a glance
- Creole shrimp are shrimp simmered in a tomato sauce seasoned with herbs and chilli
- Origin: the French Caribbean (Guadeloupe, Martinique)
- Essential ingredients: shrimp, tomato, onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, lime, Caribbean chilli
- A dish served with white rice, quick to prepare for a weekday or festive meal
Origins and cultural history of Creole shrimp
Creole shrimp is one of the most common seafood dishes of Caribbean cuisine, in Guadeloupe and Martinique. It follows the principle of Creole sauce: a tomato base simmered with onion, garlic, fresh herbs (thyme, parsley, spring onion) and Caribbean chilli, used for shrimp as well as for other fish and shellfish.
It is a quick dish to prepare, found as much in family kitchens as on the tables of Creole restaurants, often served with white rice or plantain.
What are the essential ingredients of Creole shrimp
The Creole sauce that accompanies the shrimp relies on simple ingredients, available in most African and Caribbean grocery stores, including NKOSI.
- shrimp
- tomato and tomato paste
- onion and garlic
- thyme and bay leaf
- spring onions (cives) and parsley
- lime and Caribbean chilli
What to know about Creole shrimp
Creole shrimp are shrimp simmered for a few minutes in a Creole sauce, a tomato base cooked with onion, garlic, thyme, bay leaf, parsley, spring onions, lime and Antillean chilli. It is a quick dish to prepare, for a weekday meal as much as for a celebration, in Guadeloupe and Martinique. It is served with white rice or plantain.
Frequently asked questions about Creole shrimp
Can Creole shrimp be prepared in advance?
The tomato sauce can be made in advance and keeps for 2 days in the refrigerator in an airtight container. It is better to cook the shrimp at the last moment, for just a few minutes, so that they stay firm and do not become rubbery.
Can fresh shrimp be replaced in this recipe?
Thawed frozen shrimp work just as well, provided they are well drained before being added to the sauce to prevent it from becoming watery. Avoid already-cooked shrimp, which would toughen on recooking.
Where to find the ingredients for Creole shrimp in France?
NKOSI sells the lime juice, Caribbean chilli, bay leaf, thyme and tomato paste in this recipe on nkosiagro.com and ships them from the Paris area within 24 to 72 working hours, to mainland France (2 to 3 working days) and to ten European countries. The minimum order is 39 €: in France, delivery to a pickup point is then free, and home delivery is free from 69 €.
