Sweet and sour shrimp with cherry tomatoes

40 minutes. Serves 4.

1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined but tail-on 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice Kosher salt 2 tablespoons canola oil ½ teaspoon cumin seeds ½ teaspoon fennel seeds 1 cup minced shallots 1 cup diced yellow bell

pepper 2 dried red chiles, such as Kashmiri for mild heat or Thai for extra heat 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger 2 tablespoons butter 4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved 1⁄3 cup diced dried apricots 1 whole preserved lemon, seeded and diced ½ teaspoon turmeric powder ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro Cooked rice, for serving

1. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with the lemon juice and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cover and set aside.

2. In a deep skillet or wok set over medium heat, add the oil. When the oil is hot, stir in the cumin and fennel seeds and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Toss in the shallots and bell pepper and continue to cook for 5 to 7 minutes to soften the peppers.

3. Add the dried chiles, garlic and ginger to the skillet and saute for 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the butter and tomatoes, then reduce the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until the tomatoes release their juice and it begins to thicken, 12 to 15 minutes.

4. Toss in the dried apricots, preserved lemon and turmeric and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes to marry the flavorings. Taste for seasoning and add a ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste.

5. Stir in the shrimp, coating it with the sauce. Cook, stirring once or twice, just until the shrimp becomes opaque, 3 to 4 minutes, careful not to overcook. Toss in the cilantro and remove any chile tops that popped off during cooking. Serve over rice.

Note: Adapted from a recipe from Padma Lakshmi in the book “Cherry Bombe” by Kerry Diamond and Claudia Wu.