Recipe: Prawns and squid in spicy sauce (ideal for Fare la scarpetta!)
Did you know that Italians have a term for cleaning your plate with a piece of bread so you can eat all the sauce? This recipe from Pien laat haar eten zien is not only delicious, it also highlights a beautiful Italian tradition: Fare la scarpetta. This is exactly the kind of sauce for which fare la scarpetta is meant.
What does Fare la scarpetta mean?
Fare la scarpetta is an Italian expression that literally translates as “to do the little shoe.” It refers to the habit of using a piece of bread to wipe up and eat the last remnants of sauce from your plate. It is a way of ensuring that not a single drop of the delicious sauce goes to waste. Once again, this habit shows how much Italians appreciate the flavor of their food. It is a tribute to the cook, because it means the sauce is so delicious that you literally want to eat every last bit of it.
A cherished Italian tradition
Fare la scarpetta at the end of a meal is also a convivial act that strengthens social bonds with friends and family. So the next time you are in Italy and your meal ends with a delicious sauce, don’t hesitate to use a piece of bread to make “la scarpetta”—it is a convivial sign that you truly appreciated your meal!
How to make prawns and squid in spicy sauce
- Blend red peppers, garlic, paprika powder, sugar, sea salt, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon zest and juice in a blender or food processor until you have a spicy sauce.
- Cut the squid tubes into thin rings. Heat a generous splash of olive oil in a frying pan. Fry the squid tubes for one minute. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Pat the prawns dry and season with pepper and salt. Add a little more olive oil to the pan and let it heat up well again. Add the prawns and fry for 2 minutes per side, until beautifully pink. Remove from the pan and set aside as well.
- Fry the cherry tomatoes in the same pan over high heat until soft; this takes about 5 minutes.
- Pour the spicy sauce in with the tomatoes and cook for 2 minutes. Then add the squid, prawns, half of the parsley, and the juice of 1⁄2 lime, and heat through briefly.
- Serve the prawns and squid with the spicy sauce in a beautiful dish. Finish with the remaining parsley, lime wedges, and some extra pepper.
Title: Pien laat haar eten zien vol. 2
Author: Pien Wekking
Price: €26,99
Publisher: Spectrum
After the success of her first cookbook, Pien now shows even more food. Surprise your guests by serving prawns and squid in spicy sauce, followed by sea bass with caper butter. Or complete the feast with an espresso crème brûlée.
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