Cajun Shrimp Etouffee + Three Ways to Become a Cajun

The fresh Gulf shrimp were on sale at my favorite seafood market, and I couldn't resist buying 5 pounds to cook for guests that I was having over for dinner last night. I had a strong ahnvie for a shrimp etouffee with some fried, on the side, since I hadn't made this delightful combo in a very long time. This spicy stew is chocked full of wonderful flavors and the succulent fried shrimp is my fave. Worthy of blowing your diet for, cher, I can assure you! And totally worth the calories! You can always dance them off!  Bon appetit!

Cajun Shrimp Etouffee 

2 lbs. large shrimp, peeled and diveined

1 cup each of chopped onions and bell peppers
2 stalks celery, diced
1 cup fresh okra, sliced

2 tsp.'s minced garlic
1 can Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/2 cup of chopped green onions
1 tbs. or more Cajun Seasoning
Salt and Tabasco to taste
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 cups of water or seafood stock
2 lemons, quartered
3 bay leaves
5 tbs.'s butter
5 tbs.'s flour

Squeeze the juice of one lemon on shrimp and season with Cajun seasoning and set aside. 

Chop and slice the veggies.

Melt the butter in a large heavy pot, on low heat. Add the flour and stir constantly, until a light to medium brown color is reached. (about 10 minutes)

Lower heat and add the chopped onion, bell pepper, celery, garlic, okra, and tomatoes, and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add a small amount of water,  if necessary.

Slowly add the stock or water, and a little more seasoning. Bring to a boil, add seasoned shrimp, and stir. Lower heat, add the juice of other lemon, and cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Add the parsley and green onions, and simmer for 10 more minutes. Discard bay leaves and serve over hot cooked rice with a garden salad and garlic bread. Ca cest bon!


For my fried shrimp recipe, click here.

I am sharing this at:

Friday Potluck ~ Strut Your Stuff Saturday ~ Simply Delish Saturday

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Three Ways to Become a Cajun

 They say that there are three ways to become a Cajun.

1. By the blood

2. By the ring

 

3. By the back door

This last way has about as many different meanings as there are Cajuns. There are even several songs that have been written about it. 

Cajun Boogie

Here's a little clip of Horace Trahan and the Ossun Express playing the song, entitled "The Back Door", and singing in Cajun French, which offers one meaning , but by no means the only one. Let the good times roll, cher!

Wishing all of you a fun and fabulous weekend! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Cajun Fried Shrimp + Bourbon St. Blues

Here is one of my all time favorite recipes for fried shrimp. There is nothing like biting into one of these babies, after dipping in some tangy hot seafood sauce. Or sometimes I just love them in a big salad. I grew up eating lots of fresh Gulf shrimp and have perfected the recipe over the years. These are really easy to prepare and are out of this world! Oh, cest bon, cher!

Cajun Fried Shrimp

2 lbs. large peeled and deviened shrimp
3/4 cup milk
1/4 cup buttermilk
1 egg
1 tsp. each, yellow and creole mustard
2 tbs's. Cajun/ Creole seasoning
1 pkg. Louisiana brand fish fry mix (another brand may be substituted)
Vegetable oil for frying

Place shrimp in large bowl. Sprinkle with 1 tbs. Cajun/Creole seasoning and few shakes of Tabasco and coat well. In separate bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, mustard, and Cajun seasoning. Pour mixture over shrimp. Let stand for 30 minutes, in fridge. Combine fish fry mix, and 1 or 2 tbs.'s Cajun seasoning. Dredge shrimp in fish fry and fry in batches in the vegetable oil, until golden brown. Enjoy, cher!

Tangy Hot Seafood Sauce
 
6 tbs's ketchup
2 tsp.'s horseradish
1 tbs. Worcestershire sauce
Tabasco to taste
 
Mix all together, chill for 1 hour, then serve.

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Since I've noticed a lot of cases of the blahs around the blogosphere, lately, I thought I'd post a little clip of some good old Bourbon Street blues. I know how stressful the month of December can be and it's nice to take a break from the madness and listen to some upbeat music, each day. Grab a cold drink and crank it up, cher! Cheers ya'll!