Making Time for Dad

If your father has taught you well, you know that ugly ties and Father’s Day don’t mix. A spicy barbecue-style meal (it can be done indoors or out) is a much better way to show your dad you appreciate him. Pan-seared shrimp skewers with curried tomato sauce is an impressive dish to serve. And since the idea is to spend time with your dad, an easy 30-minute menu plan should make everyone happy.

Menu (30 MINUTES OR LESS)

Skewered Shrimp With Curried Tomato Sauce

Golden Rice Pilaf With Baby Tomatoes

INGREDIENTS

STAPLES

Butter

Cayenne pepper

Chicken broth

Cinnamon

Coriander

Curry powder

Ginger

Lemon

Paprika

Pepper

Rice

Salt

Sugar

Tomato sauce

Turmeric

SHOPPING LIST

1 (8-ounce) box golden raisins

1 (8-ounce) box raisins

1 package bamboo skewers

1 pint assorted baby tomatoes

COUNTDOWN

30 minutes before: Begin cooking rice for rice pilaf.

20 minutes before: Clean the shrimp and skewer. Make spice mixture and dredge shrimp.

10 minutes before: Prepare curried tomato sauce and keep warm. Halve tomatoes and toss in olive oil.

5 minutes before: Sear shrimp.

SKEWERED SHRIMP WITH CURRIED TOMATO SAUCE

SHRIMP

1 teaspoon ginger

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon coriander

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon turmeric

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 pound shrimp, shelled and deveined, with tails remaining

Oil

CURRIED TOMATO SAUCE

1/4 cup curry powder

2 teaspoons cumin

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 cup tomato sauce

1/4 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons sugar

Salt

Pepper

SHRIMP

Combine ginger, cumin, coriander, paprika, turmeric, salt and cayenne in small bowl and set aside.

Skewer prawns on bamboo skewers and dredge both sides in spice mixture.

Heat large skillet and add just enough oil to coat bottom of pan. Just before oil reaches smoking point, sear prawns about 1 minute per side.

CURRIED TOMATO SAUCE

Saute curry powder and cumin in oil over moderate heat until mixture begins to sizzle, about 5 minutes. Add cayenne, tomato sauce, lemon juice, sugar and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring until smooth, about 10 minutes. Serve on side with prawns.

4 servings. Each serving with 1/4 cup sauce:

307 calories; 1,146 mg sodium; 110 mg cholesterol; 23 grams fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 16 grams protein; 0.96 gram fiber.

RICE PILAF

1 (14 1/2-ounce) can chicken broth

1 tablespoon turmeric

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

1 cup rice

1/4 cup golden raisins

1/4 cup dark raisins

1 tablespoon butter

Salt and pepper

1 pint red and yellow baby pear tomatoes, halved

Olive oil

Combine chicken broth, turmeric and cinnamon in small saucepan over medium heat. Add rice and bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover and simmer until liquid has evaporated, about 20 minutes. Add raisins, butter and salt and pepper to taste.

Toss tomatoes in enough olive oil to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon tomatoes evenly over each serving of rice.

4 servings. Each serving:

356 calories; 504 mg sodium; 8 mg cholesterol; 11 grams fat; 58 grams carbohydrates; 7 grams protein; 1.10 grams fiber.

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SHORT CUTS

To save time, buy shrimp already peeled and deveined.

* Basket from Malibu and Laguna Colony Co.