CAJUN SHRIMP

Clay and I both love freshly cooked shrimp, which results in this versatile crustacean making its way to the centerpiece of many of our weekly entrees. We grill them for salads, stir-fry them with bok choy and Asian greens, brush them with BBQ sauce, add them to pasta, or simply sauté them with olive oil or butter, and a dash of lemon juice. Cooking in just a few minutes, they provide a quick nutritious protein to any meal.

The Cajun seasoning in this preparation is one of my favorites and immediately transports me to Louisiana. (The butter certainly plays its special transportive role as well!) Keeping the meal within the region, we usually serve this with our Wild Rice Salad, a coleslaw, or a simple green salad. And it’s never a bad idea to have a warm piece of French bread to soak up the leftover butter sauce!

Cajun Shrimp

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 25 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American-Southern

Servings 4

Ingredients

  

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Shrimp Preparation

• 16 Jumbo Shrimp *See Notes
• 6 Tbsp Butter Divided (3 Tbsp + 3 Tbsp) & cut into small cubes.
• 1 Tbsp Olive or Avocado Oil Or a neutral oil
• 4 Garlic Cloves Sliced
• 1/4 Cup Water
• 1 Teaspoon Cajun Seasoning Mix
• Salt & White Pepper to taste
• Sliced Green Onions For Garnish

Cajun Seasoning Mix

• 1 1/2 Teaspoons Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Onion Powder
• 1 Teaspoon Sweet Paprika
• 3/4 Teaspoon Cayenne
• 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon White Pepper
• 1/2 Teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1/4 Teaspoon Dried Oregano Leaves
• 1/4 Teaspoon Dried Thyme Leaves

Instructions

 

Cajun Spice Mix

• Mix together the ingredients of the Cajun Spice mix.

  *This will make about 1/2-3/4 Cup of mix that can be stored in an airtight container for several months. You can also use this on chicken, shellfish, and other fish.

Shrimp Preparation

• In a large skillet, heat 3 Tbsp of Butter and the Oil together over medium heat.

  When the “foam” from the Butter subsides, add the Shrimp to the skillet and immediately dust with 2 Tbsp of the Cajun Spice Mix.

  Cook for 2 1/2 minutes and flip over, dusting with the remaining 2 Tbsp Cajun Spice Mix.

  Cook for an additional 1 minute and then add the Water and remaining 3 Tbsp butter. “Swirl” the pan while cooking for another 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, until shrimp are slightly pink and opaque. (Total cooking time for shrimp is usually 5 to 6 minutes.)

  *”Swirling” will emulsify the sauce, making it creamier in consistency.

Notes

We serve this with our Wild Rice Salad, as seen in the photo. 

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