Dave Chang's Shrimp and Polenta

Dave Chang's Shrimp and Polenta

This whole meal comes together in the time it takes to cook just polenta on the stove. Dave's take on this Lowcountry classic uses dashi (an umami-packed broth made from bonito, a dried fish) to flavor the polenta. Topped with smoky shrimp and bacon and perfectly poached eggs, it's a hearty entree that's sure to win over microwave skeptics.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwaves and home kitchens to make sure they work — and work well.

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Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

700w

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Product Size

  • Small Dish
  • Medium Shallow
  • Large Shallow
  • Medium Deep
  • Large Deep

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

30-33 mins

Free Time

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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups (260ml) water
  • 1 ½ teaspoons dashi powder or ½ package of Hondashi
  • ½  cup (75g) polenta or yellow grits
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 strips of bacon, sliced into strips
  • ½ onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 8 large shrimp, shelled and deveined
  • 2 scallion greens, sliced into 1” pieces
  • Water, as needed
  • 2 eggs

Preparation

  1. Make the polenta. Add water, polenta, and dashi powder to the Deep Anyday and stir to combine. Spread the mixture in an even layer. Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  2. Cook in the microwave at Power Level 5

    Certain foods cook best in the microwave at lower power levels. 

    Different microwaves have different settings. See your microwave manual (or look it up online) to learn how to change your microwave’s power level.

    For many microwaves: enter the cook time, press the “Power” (or “Power Level”) button, and select a number between 1-10. Other microwaves may require selecting the Power Level first, and then entering the cook time.

    Microwaves list power levels in different ways. Here’s a guide to help you adjust:

    PL 10 = 100% = High (default)

    PL 9 = 90% = High

    PL 8 = 80% = Med-High

    PL 7 = 70% = Med-High

    PL 6 = 60% = Medium

    PL 5 = 50% = Medium

    PL 4 = 40% = Med-Low

    PL 3 = 30% = Med-Low

    PL 2 = 20% = Low

    PL 1 = 10% = Low

    You will know if the power level has been successfully changed if you hear periodic changes in the microwave’s tone after it begins cooking.

    for 20 minutes, or until the polenta is hydrated and tender. Whisk polenta for a minute to get it creamy and combine all the liquid. If needed, add more time at Power Level 4 in 1 minute intervals. If it’s too thick, whisk in ¼ cup water to thin it out.
  3. Whisk in butter and adjust seasoning to taste. Cover with lid and set aside.
  4. Make the shrimp and bacon. While the polenta rests, add the bacon, onion, garlic and thyme to a Shallow Anyday dish. Cover with lid (knob lifted). Cook in the microwave for 4-5 minutes.
  5. Add the shrimp and scallions on top of the ingredients in the shallow Anyday dish and stir to combine. Cover with lid (knob lifted). Cook for 3-4 minutes, or until shrimp is pink and fully cooked. Season to taste, cover with lid and set aside.
  6. Make the poached eggs. Fill a clean Medium Shallow Anyday Dish with tap water up to the crease of the bowl. Crack 2 eggs into the Anyday dish. Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
  7. Cook in the microwave for 3-4 minutes. Gently press the egg yolk to check that the eggs are done to your liking, and add more time in 30-second increments if needed.
  8. Spoon the polenta into bowls and top with the shrimp mixture. Add a poached egg to each dish.

Serving suggestions & tips

  • Substitute yellow onion for red for a sweeter and more colorful version.
  • Top with the dish with some chili crunch for extra kick.
  • For a vegetarian version substitute the shrimp with firm tofu.
  • You can use a different Anyday dish size for the poached eggs, but make sure that the eggs are fully submerged in water. You may need to increase cook times if there’s more water in the dish than this recipe calls for.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.