Pepper & Vanilla-Marinated Shrimp (Papantla Style) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 medium white onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 small carrot, peeled and finely chopped
1 stalk celery, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, finely minced
4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (DIVIDED)
2 teaspoons white pepper
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 cup dry white wine
1 1/2 cups chicken broth (or 1 1/2 cup water plus 1/2 chicken bouillon cube)

Preparation

In a non-reactive bowl large enough to hold the shrimp, combine the onion, carrot, celery and garlic.
Add 3 teaspoons of the vanilla extract and the white pepper; mix well (this will be a fairly \"dry\" marinade).
Add the shrimp, and mix well, ensuring that each piece is covered with the marinade; refrigerate for 1 1/2 to 3 hours.
Melt the butter in a large skillet with the olive oil and saute the shrimp mixture, just until the shrimp are pink on both sides.
During this saute period, add the remaining 1 tsp vanilla extract and mix well into the pan juices.
When the shrimp are pink, transfer them to a bowl (leave the vegetables in the skillet) and set aside.
Add the wine and chicken broth to the skillet and simmer briskly and stirring occasionally until the liquid has reduced considerably and the sauce has thickened (about 20 minutes).
Return the shrimp briefly to the sauce only just to re-heat them through.
Serve all over mounded cooked rice.