SHRIMP CURRY: WHITE HOUSE

Steps:

• Before chopping whole ginger root, soak it in cold water to cover for 1 hour. Drain the ginger root and squeeze out all of the water. Shell and wash shrimp. Pierce eyes of 3 coconuts; drain coconut liquid. If yield is less than 3 cups, add enough water to make 3 cups. Crack coconuts and grate meat. Heat coconut liquid and pour over grated coconut. Let stand for 20 minutes and drain, saving coconut milk. (Keep grated coconut to serve with curry). Sauté onion in butter in large saucepan for 5 minutes. Stir in flour and curry powder. Add coconut milk and fresh milk and cook over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly. Add shrimp, ginger, lemon juice, and salt. Simmer uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring frequently. If you cannot get fresh coconut, combine 3 cups shredded coconut with 3 cups fresh milk in a saucepan and let stand at room temperature for 20 minutes. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain milk and substitute it for fresh coconut milk. Discard the coconut. Author's note: Any lean fish or shellfish cut in small pieces can be substituted for shrimp. Hard-cooked eggs can be used instead of seafood-in this case, sauce should be prepared separately and quartered hard-cooked eggs added 10 to 15 minutes before serving.