Serves: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

Coconut Rice

– 1½ cups jasmine rice
– 1 cup full-fat coconut milk
– 1 cup water
– ½ teaspoon salt

Sugar Apple Shrimp

– 1½ pounds large shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 1 tablespoon olive oil
– ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
– ¼ teaspoon black pepper
– ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1 cup ripe sugar apple pulp, seeds removed
– 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
– 1 tablespoon honey
– 1 tablespoon soy sauce
– 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
– ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
– 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Garnish

– 2 tablespoons finely diced red onion
– 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
– Lime wedges

Instructions

Prepare the Coconut Rice

1. Rinse the jasmine rice under cold water until the water runs mostly clear.

2. Place the rice, coconut milk, water, and salt in a medium saucepan.

3. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

4. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 15 minutes.

5. Remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.

6. Fluff gently with a fork.

Prepare the Shrimp

7. Place the sugar apple pulp in a blender and blend until smooth.

8. In a bowl, combine the sugar apple purée, lime juice, honey, soy sauce, ginger, and red pepper flakes.

9. Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels.

10. Season the shrimp with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.

11. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

12. Add the shrimp in a single layer.

13. Cook for approximately 1½–2 minutes per side.

14. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

15. Pour the sugar apple sauce into the skillet.

16. Reduce the heat to medium and gently simmer for 2–3 minutes, stirring carefully, until the shrimp are fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly.

17. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro.

18. Spoon the coconut rice onto four plates.

19. Divide the shrimp and sauce among the plates.

20. Garnish with red onion and cilantro.

21. Serve with lime wedges.

Tip: Keep the cooking time short after adding the sugar apple. Its delicate flavor is best when it is warmed rather than aggressively boiled.