Tahitian Shrimp in Coconut-Vanilla Sauce

• tablespoons oil2 -3 tablespoons
• lbs shrimp, peeled and deveined↗2 lbs
• tahitian vanilla bean↗1
• cup rum↗1⁄2 cup
• cup coconut milk↗1 cup
• cup heavy cream↗1 cup
• salt and pepper, to taste

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat the oil in a saute pan or skillet over medium-high flame. Add the shrimp and saute until cooked through and lightly browned. Remove the shrimp to a plate and set aside.

2. 2

   Slit the vanilla bean down the middle and scrape out the seeds. Add the rum, vanilla bean pod and seeds to the pan and bring to a boil. Cook until the rum is largely evaporated.

3. 3

   Pour in the coconut milk and cream. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer slowly until the sauce is thickened and its volume is reduced by about half.

4. 4

   Remove the vanilla bean pod and return the shrimp to the pan. Simmer to heat through and season with salt and pepper. Serve hot over rice with a side of sauteed spinach or chard.

5. 5

   Saute a minced onion after you saute the shrimp and simmer in the sauce.

6. 6

   Use evaporated milk instead of cream.

7. 7

   Don't throw away the vanilla bean pod. Rinse it off and set it out to dry. When it's dry, bury it in a jar of sugar and store in the cupboard for delicious homemade vanilla sugar. Use the sugar in baking or for coffee.