Rick's Shrimp in Green Almond Sauce

Directions

• Step 1

  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spread the almonds on a small rimmed baking sheet, and toast until golden (but not browned), and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Cool, and set aside. Reserve a scant 1/4 cup for garnish.

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• Step 2

  In a saucepan, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil over medium heat; add onion, garlic, and chiles. Cook, stirring frequently, until translucent, about 3 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to the jar of a blender. Set the saucepan aside. Add the almonds, tomatillos, radish leaves, 1/2 cup cilantro, parsley, and 1 cup stock. Blend until smooth.

• Step 3

  Add 1 tablespoon oil to the saucepan, and place over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, add the puree. Cook, stirring, until mixture darkens slightly and thickens considerably, about 10 minutes. Stir in remaining 2 cups stock, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 20 minutes. Working in batches, return sauce to the jar of a blender, and puree until very smooth, keeping blender cap covered with a clean kitchen towel to avoid splattering. Return to saucepan, and season with salt.

• Step 4

  Just before serving, turn oven on to lowest setting. Season shrimp generously with salt, tossing to coat evenly. In a large heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high heat. When hot, add half the shrimp in a single layer. Cook until milky white underneath, about 1 1/2 minutes. Turn, and cook 1 minute more; do not overcook. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cilantro, and toss to combine. Transfer to a plate, and keep warm in oven. Repeat with remaining shrimp and cilantro, adding more oil to the pan if necessary.

• Step 5

  Roughly chop reserved almonds. Ladle a portion of the sauce onto each of six warm dinner plates. Arrange shrimp over sauce, and garnish with a few leaves of parsley and a sprinkling of reserved almonds. Serve immediately.