Shrimp in Escabeche and Chicken Manicotti with Enchilada Sauce

 I got these two recipes from Liz Berg.

SHRIMP IN ESCABÈCHE

MAGGIE RUGGIERO GOURMET SEPTEMBER 2007

In Spanish, escabeche refers to placing already cooked seafood into a marinade—a pickling of sorts—but this subtle shrimp salad is gentler than anything you might expect from the term pickled. Complemented by silky thin-sliced onions, the shrimp get their tender-firm texture from slow-poaching followed by marinating.

1 small red onion, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

2/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

2 Turkish bay leaves or 1 California

2 garlic cloves, smashed

1 teaspoon black peppercorns

2 pound large shrimp in shell (21 to 25 per pound), peeled, leaving tail intact, and deveined

PREPARATION

Toss together onion, vinegar, oregano, and 1 teaspoon salt in a shallow glass or ceramic dish.

Simmer oil, bay leaves, garlic, and peppercorns in a small saucepan 10 minutes, then let stand until ready to use.

Add shrimp to a medium pot of boiling salted water (2 tablespoons salt for 4 quarts water), then remove from heat and let stand, uncovered, until just cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain well, then stir into onion mixture along with oil mixture.

Chill shrimp in escabeche, covered when cool, stirring occasionally, at least 12 hours. Discard bay leaves and serve shrimp cold or at room temperature.

cooks' note:

Shrimp in escabeche can be chilled up to 2 days.

Mexican Chicken Manicotti

Ingredients

1 (16-ounce) package manicotti shells

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

1-2 jalapeño peppers, minced

2 tablespoons butter

2 cups shredded cooked chicken (can use a rotisserie chicken)

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature

¼ cup sour cream

1-1/3 cups salsa, divided

1 (8-ounce) can enchilada sauce

¾ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 13" x 9" pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

In large skillet, cook onion, garlic, and jalapeños in butter until softened. Remove from heat and stir in chicken, cream cheese, and sour cream; stir until blended. Let cool 20 minutes, then add ⅓ cup salsa.

Cook the manicotti shells until almost al dente according to package directions; drain. Stuff the shells with the chicken mixture.

In small bowl, combine remaining cup of salsa and enchilada sauce; mix well. Place ½ cup of this mixture into the bottom of prepared pan. Top with stuffed manicotti shells. If there is leftover chicken filling, just put it on top of the stuffed shells. Pour remaining sauce mixture over and sprinkle with both cheeses.

Bake for 35-40 minutes until mixture is bubbly and cheese is browned.