Wild-Caught Yellow Shrimp Curry

Growing up in this vibrant, diverse city of Houston has been a constant source of inspiration for my culinary adventures. One of the things I love most about this city is its incredible mix of cultures and flavors, which have found their way into my cooking over the years. And guess what? It was a chat with one of my favorite local vendors at the farmers market that reminded me of just how rich our food scene is right here in Houston.

We were talking about the incredible seafood they had, and it got me thinking about how lucky we are to have such fresh, locally-caught shrimp right in our backyard. That conversation sparked the idea for what I'm about to share with you today: my take on Wild-Caught Shrimp in Yellow Curry Sauce. So, grab a seat, and let's dive into a dish that's not just about eating but also about celebrating the flavors that make our community special.

You might be asking yourself if wild-caught shrimp is really necessary to purchase instead of farm-raised shrimp. In my opinion, it’s an important distinction rooted in nutritional impact. Ultimately, the choice between wild-caught and farm-raised shrimp depends on individual preferences, priorities, and the availability of responsibly sourced options. But let’s look at a few of the comparison points below!

Wild-caught shrimp is often considered a healthier and more environmentally sustainable choice compared to farm-raised shrimp for several reasons:

1. Nutritional Quality: Wild-caught shrimp tend to have a more diverse and natural diet, which can result in better nutritional quality. They are typically lower in unhealthy fats and antibiotics that are sometimes used in shrimp farming. The natural diet of wild-caught shrimp also means they may have a higher content of omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart and brain health.

2. Reduced Risk of Contaminants: Farm-raised shrimp are often raised in densely populated aquaculture systems, which can lead to the use of antibiotics and other chemicals to control disease and promote growth. Wild-caught shrimp are less likely to accumulate contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides commonly found in some shrimp farming practices. This reduces the potential health risks associated with consuming these contaminants.

3. Lower Environmental Impact: Shrimp farming can have significant environmental consequences, including habitat destruction, pollution, and the depletion of wild fish stocks used for shrimp feed. Wild-caught shrimp, when sourced sustainably, have a lower environmental impact because they are harvested from their natural habitats without the need for intensive aquaculture systems.

4. Sustainable Sourcing: Choosing sustainably sourced wild-caught shrimp supports responsible fishing practices and helps protect marine ecosystems. Look for certifications like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) label to ensure that the shrimp you're buying are sustainably harvested.

Here’s a rundown of the lovely vendors you can source from to create this recipe!

• Clawtel Ranch offers fresh seafood, pickled jalapeños and carrots, and spices. Our signature flavors of pickles, peppers, spices and herbs pair perfectly alongside our seafood products or your go to favorite meals. 

• Daily Catch takes great pride in the quality and freshness the local seafood market has to offer. They offer a wide variety of seafood including fresh sustainable fish, shrimp, squid, shellfish, crabs, lobster, scallops and much more.

• Wood Duck is an 87 acre farm, located in Cleveland, Texas. They have a thriving CSA program and have been providing healthy produce to the community for years. Wood Duck is actually in the process of fighting a proposed landfill in San Jacinto County, visit this website to learn more about how you can help!

• Plant it Forward works with independent, professional farmers with refugee backgrounds to grow and distribute fresh produce throughout the community. At our market locations we work with farmer Materanya “Pierre” Ruchinagiza, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Each market he brings delicious vegetables and good conversation. He’s an amazing asset to the markets and his farming knowledge is invaluable!

• Animal Farm is a working, sustainable permaculture center located 65 miles west of Houston. They are dedicated to producing high quality certified organic vegetables and flowers. They sell at our markets, but also have a wonderful CSA program!

• Verde Greens located in Houston, Texas, uses a combination of hydroponic and no-till soil cultivation methods to produce healthy, nutritious, pesticide- and herbicide-free leafy greens, herbs, and mixed vegetables for the community.

• Sweetwater Farms HTX is a family-owned, urban farm located in Houston, Texas. They are 7 minutes from the loop in the middle of a food desert. It sits on 6 acres of land and is primarily used to teach inner city youth about agriculture through its partnership with TWEF. We grow some of the freshest seasonal veggies! Farm visits are reservation are only!

• Synergos is a thriving healthy farm community, synergistically growing food, allowing all things to grow naturally. Located in Santa Fe, Texas, Synergos focuses on regenerative practices that support healthy soil, plants, and animals.

• 1836 Olive Oil grows, harvests, mills, and bottles Texas-grown olives into exceptional olive oils. Owner Kerry Thornhill started the orchard in 2012 with a desire to pay homage to her maternal grandparents. She believes in the Texas olive industry, and in supporting local agriculture and women farmers everywhere.

• Old Country Olive Oil is owned by native Houstonian, Rita Joubran. Having been raised around her families olive trees and their products in Lebanon, Rita realized that she wanted to share the high quality oil with her Houston community. She also sells delicious spices such as sumac and a wonderful olive oil soap.

Share the love! Don’t forget to share photos and tag the vendors who provided the ingredients! One of the best ways to support these local, small businesses is by spreading the word and sharing your market finds with friends and family. And of course, if you stop by the Rice Village or Heights Mercantile markets striking up conversations with the vendors will always have you walking away with wonderful recipe ideas.

Ingredients

* indicates item purchased at the farmers market

*1 1/1 lb. wild-caught shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail-on

2 Tbsp. ghee (can use butter or olive oil)

1/2 tsp. ground turmeric

*1 medium-size yellow onion, chopped

1 seranno pepper, halved, deseeded, and finely diced

2 tsp. fresh ginger, grated

*2 medium tomatoes, diced

2 1/2 Tbsp yellow curry paste

1 14oz. can coconut milk

1 1/2 Tbsp. tamarind paste

Salt and pepper to taste

Fresh Cilantro to garnish

Cooked long-grain white rice

Method

1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add ghee, stirring it until it melts.

2. Add the onion and serrano, cooking until the onion is soft and turning translucent.

3. Stir in the ginger and turmeric and cook for another two minutes before adding the diced tomato and stirring together for an additional two minutes.

4. Stir in the yellow curry paste, mixing evenly to coat the ingredients.

5. Add coconut milk and tamarind paste, stirring to combine. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer until the sauce thickens (about 5 minutes)

6. Add the shrimp, and let cook for about 4 minutes (flip halfway through) until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

7. Remove from heat and serve with rice, garnish with cilantro and a drizzle of tamarind paste if desired!

We hope to see you at the 1st & 3rd Sunday at Rice Village Farmers Market or 2nd & 4th Sunday at Heights Mercantile Farmers Market. Both markets run from 9-1 pm, with Heights located at 714 Yale St. and Rice located at 2504 Amherst St. These markets operate rain or shine! We will have over 60 vendors, live music, and immaculate vibes.

Thank you for following along and supporting local!

xxCB