Recipe: Cajun Shrimp Italiano

This delicious Cajun recipe highlights some of Louisiana's Italian roots, with the use of local seafood, Italian seasonings, wine, and Cajun spices. Makes a delicious, quick and simple, yet impressive appetizer to serve guests!

Cajun Shrimp Italiano
(Serves 4 as an appetizer.)

Ingredients:

1 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried rosemary, crushed or chopped
1 tsp Cajun seasoning blend
3 bay leaves
4 garlic cloves, grated
2 lbs large size fresh Louisiana shrimp, cleaned and butterflied
1 cup dry white wine
crusty bread for dipping

Directions:

1. In a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and all the seasonings and cook for just 30 seconds, stirring, until garlic gets fragrant, then immediately add shrimp and fry fast until shrimp is just nice and pink; this will take about 6 or 7 minutes tops.
2. Turn heat down to medium-low and slowly stir in the wine.
3. Simmer gently (turn heat down more if you need to) until the liquid is reduced by about 1/3 to 1/2.
4. Dump the shrimp and all the juice into a large bowl, and serve down-home style with a pile of crusty bread for sopping up the juice.

Recipe: Andouille Red Beans And Rice Skillet

This quick and tasty Cajun favorite combines those classic flavors like andouille sausage, beans, and rice - of course with plenty of spice! This version is fast and simple, and doesn't have to cook all day, so you can whip up a quick Cajun lunch without interrupting the Mardi Gras festivities for long!

Andouille Red Beans And Rice Skillet

Ingredients:

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1 cup rice
6 oz andouille sausage, diced   
1 red bell pepper, diced small
1/2 yellow onion, diced
1/2 to 1 tsp Cajun seasoning   
1 tsp dried thyme
1 can (15 oz size) kidney beans or pinto beans, drained (or 1 1/2 cups pre-cooked beans)
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

Directions:

•  Prepare rice according to package directions; set aside.
• Put a large heavy skillet (cast iron is great) over medium-high heat. Add andouille sausage and cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until nicely browned; remove sausage from skillet and set aside.
• Add the red bell pepper, onion, Cajun seasoning, and thyme to the skillet and cook, stirring often, for about 3 to 5 minutes or until onions soften.
• Add to the skillet the cooked rice, sausage, beans, and the parsley, stir and cook until heated through.
• Serve hot right from the skillet.

Video - Crockpot Spicy Cajun Beef

Here is an easy-peasy crockpot recipe for you Cajun-food lovers. This one takes no more than 10 minutes to throw together, and then cooks all day in the crockpot. Can't beat it for a tasty, easy meal with very little prep-work.

Spices may be modified by adding more or less Cajun seasoning, or adding crushed red pepper or cayenne. You can also add your own touches, such as diced green pepper (with the onions), fresh chilies, or other items. Feel free to improvise and let us know how it turns out!

Spicy Cajun Beef Recipe
Here's a recipe for you with only 5 ingredients!!! 5 ingredients to a fabulous meal!!! It's a spicy cajun beef recipe for the crockpot.. Have a stress-free meal with your family... Enjoy!!!


More recipes can be found here, or in the cookbooks below:

Related Easy Recipes:

• imabonehead: Make-Ahead Cajun Chicken and Mushrooms (salad-in-a-jar.com)
• Wintertime Chili (Spicy!) (segwayne.com)
• Weekend Menu Planning: Use a CrockPot (Slow Cooker) to Help Cook Thanksgiving Dinner (blogher.com)