Video: Aarti's Having a Party!
After 10 weeks of heated culinary competition jam-packed with 18 intense challenges, Los Angeles food blogger Aarti Sequeira won The Next Food Network Star as revealed during the season six finale. Up against San Francisco's Tom Pizzica and Atlanta's Herb Mesa in the final challenge, Aarti's impressive pilot ultimately helped her win the title and her dream Food Network show, Aarti Party, set to premiere this Sunday, August 22nd at 12pm ET/PT. In addition to the new show, Aarti will be featured in Food Network Magazine and at the Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival in October.
RECIPE
Shrimp and Pineapple Not-So Po' Boys
1 pound large peeled and deveined shrimp
Kosher salt
4 teaspoons Cajun shrimp seasoning (recommended: Cajun's choice)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1 serrano pepper, seeds and membrane removed, minced
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained, finely chopped
Small handful minced cilantro leaves
1/2 cup mayonnaise
Cornmeal, for dredging
Vegetable oil, for frying
4 big po' boy buns, split
Lettuce and sliced tomato, for topping sandwiches
In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with a hefty sprinkling of salt, and massage gently. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes then rinse. This helps plump the shrimp especially if they were previously frozen.
Add the Cajun seasoning to the shrimp and let it marinate for 20 minutes, while you make the chutney.
In a skillet, warm 1 tablespoon olive of oil over low heat, until shimmering Add the cumin and fennel, it should splutter.
Stir in the onion and serrano pepper and saute until softened and has picked up a little color. Add the turmeric and saute for 30 seconds. Stir in the pineapple and toss to coat with the spices. Cook for about 5 minutes. Add the cilantro and mayonnaise and stir to combine.
Add some cornmeal to a shallow plate. Coat each shrimp evenly with cornmeal, while you warm up a few tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is shimmering (hot), add the shrimp in batches. Flip after 2 minutes, or when they start to change color. Cook another 2 minutes on the other side, until cooked to your liking (don't overcook, and should only take 5 minutes, tops!). Remove the shrimp from the skillet to a paper towel-lined plate.
To build the po' boy: Slather the pineapple-mayonnaise mixture on 1 side of each bun bottom. Spoon a generous helping of shrimp over the top. Add some lettuce and tomato and cover with the bun tops. Wrap in plastic and aluminum foil and you're ready for the picnic!
Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Ease of preparation: easy
On her new daytime series, Aarti invites viewers to join her for a playful Aarti Party, where she shares approachable and delicious ways to enhance American favorites with simple but unique Indian influences. Whether she's sprucing up everyday pulled pork sandwiches and perfectly roasted chicken or taking classic bread pudding and basic red lentils to new heights, Aarti cleverly combines the familiar with the exotic to create mouthwatering meals. No matter the occasion, Aarti Party promises great food and endless fun for home cooks everywhere. For more information, recipes, and videos, visit: www.foodnetwork.com/aartiparty.
