Avoid the "Poop Vein"

I tried a new recipe yesterday. It was delicious and should have gone together quickly. Instructions called for peeled and deveined shimp. Years ago when living on the gulf coast we frequently purchased fresh shrimp and Ol' Abner (who wasn't quite so old then) was adept at peeling and deveining the critters thanks to a nifty tool he had found. I had purchased some nice looking frozen shrimp of admirable size a couple of days ago and was anxious to combine some yummy sounding flavors. Since the magazine featuring the recipe may not survive the next side table clean-off, it follows here for future reference.

Red Cumin-Lime Shrimp on Jicama Rice

12 oz fresh or frozen peeled and deveined medium to large shrimp

3 tsp olive oil

1 1/2 C chopped yellow onion

1 anaheim chile pepper, seeded and sliced

1 1/2 T chili powder

1 1/2 tsp cumin

1 C hot cooked brown rice

1 1/2 C peeled jicam cut into thin bite size strips

2 T Lime juice

2 T vegetable oil spread

1/3 C snipped fresh cilantro

Thaw shrimp if frozen and set aside.

In a large non-stick skillet heat one tsp of olive oil and swirl skillet to coat bottom lightly. Add onion and chile pepper and cook, stirring frequently til tender. Stir in shrimp, chili powder and cumin. Continue cooking (about 3 min) until shrimp are opaque.

Spoon hot rice into a serving bowl and stir in jicama. Cover and let stand until serving time.

Remove skillet from heat, stir in remaining 2 tsp olive oil, the lime juice and vegetable oil spread. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp salt. Cover and let stand 5 min to allow flavors to absorb and vegetable oil spread to melt.

To serve, stir cilantro into rice mixture and pour shrimp mixture over rice.

We found this meal delightful since we have a love of flavors from south of the border, especially those healthy dishes featuring seafood. Probably could be 20 min from start to table IF I had not spent 30 minutes peeling and deveining shrimp...not a pleasant chore if you haven't tried it. Oh yes, that tool that he claims makes removal of the "poop vein" so very easy...does NOT.