Conch In Creole Sauce

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lb. shelled Conch, cleaned, skinned
• 1 med. Onion, halved, sliced
• 2 limes, halved
• 3/4 c. water
• 3 Tbs. tomato paste
• 1/8 tsp. chili powder
• 11/2 tsp. minced shallots
• salt, pepper to taste
• 1 tomato, peeled, seeded, chopped
• 11/2 tsp. minced fresh thyme or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• hot cooked rice
• 1/4 c. unsalted, sweet butter

Directions

1. Pound Conch 1/8" thick with mallet; cut into 11/2" squares. Place Conch in medium bowl; squeeze limes over Conch. Add rinds and water to cover. Refrigerate covered 1 to 11/2 hours. Drain; discard rinds.
2. Sauté Onion, garlic and shallots in butter in Dutch oven until soft but not brown, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato, water, tomato paste, thyme, chili powder and Conch. Heat over medium heat to boiling; reduce heat to low. Simmer partially covered, stirring occasionally, until Conch is fork tender, 45–50 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve over cooked rice.