Cajun Shrimp and Rice

This dish was inspired by the dish I cooked on my profile photo shoot. I wanted to make it a little more authentic Cajun style.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1/2 lb Shrimp peeled, deveined and cut into 1/2 sized pieces
6 oz Boudin (Canjun style if available)
1/2 cup long grain white rice
1 bell pepper coarsely chopped
1 cup coarsely chopped onion
3-4 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon paprika
1 tablespoon cayenne
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon course ground pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 cups chicken broth
Tabasco

Directions:

Add olive oil, minced garlic, chopped onion and bell pepper to a saute pan over medium to medium high heat. Remove boudin from casing and cut into 1/2 inch slices. Add the boudin to the saute pan with the paprika, cayenne, salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder. Saute for 5 minutes until boudin is well heated. Add rice and cook an additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Add broth and cook an additional 10 minutes, stirring frequently,  until rice has absorbed the broth. Added shrimp 3-5 shakes of Tabasco and cook 3 minutes more or until shrimp is cooked and has a nice pink shade.

Variants:

For a main dish, leave shrimp uncut serves 2.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Pan Fried Tilapia with Shallots and A to Z Salad

Simple and quick meal.

Ingredients:

2 6-8 ounce Tilapia fillets
2 shallots
16 asparagus stalks
2 medium zucchini
4-6 green onions
2 tablespoons pepper infused extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons course ground pepper
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoons basil leaves
1 tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoons cayenne pepper
1 tablespoons thyme leaves
Grated Romano Cheese

Directions:

For the A to Z salad, cut asparagus in 1/2 inch lengths on the diagonal. Boil for 5 minutes or until the asparagus can easily be speared with a fork. Remove from heat and drain water. Use a vegetable peeler or mandoline to cut the zucchini into strips lengthwise. Cut green onion into 1 inch lengths. Add vegetables to a salad bowl. Add olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Toss to mix vegetables and oil.

Pan Fried Tilapia with Shallots and A to Z Salad

Thinly slice shallots. Add shallot slices and 2 tablespoons of pepper infused olive oil to a medium to large skillet. Over a medium heat cook shallots for 5 minutes stirring frequently.
In a small bowl, mix dry spices. Melt 1/4 cup butter. For each side of the tilapia fillets, brush with melted butter and dust with spice mixture. Lightly pat the fillet. Move the shallots to the edge of the skillet a fry the tilapia in the same skillet for 2 1/2 minutes on each side.
Serve tilapia topped with shalots. Serve A to Z salad topped with Romano cheese.

Popularity: 3% [?]

Basil and Oregano Roasted Red Potatoes

Great side for beef or pork dishes. Easy to make and very tasty.

Ingredients:

1 lb C size, Red Potatoes (approximately 16)
1 tablespoon basil
1 tablespoon oregano
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon course ground pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Directions:

Black Tip Shark with Mango/Habanero Chutney with Basil/Oregano Roasted Red Potatoes

Cut potatoes into 1/8th’s for pieces about 1/2 inch. Bring a pot of water to boil and add potatoes. Boil for 5-10 minutes until the potatoes soften enough to be moderately easy to spear with a fork.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a glad Ziploc bag (or similar) Add basil, oregano, salt, pepper, cayenne and olive oil. Drain potatoes and wash with cold water to cool. Add potatoes to Ziploc bag and shake vigorously for 30 seconds or potatoes are fully coated.

In a 9×13 Pyrex casserole dish, lightly coat with cooking spray and add potatoes from Ziploc and spread evenly. Bake potatoes in oven for 20-30 minutes. Remove from oven and serve.

Variations:

Of course and spice or seasoning can be added to the mix. I have used the pre-made potato topping mixes. I have also used various vinaigrette salad dressings. As always experimentation is encouraged.

Popularity: 1% [?]

Bayou Blast

Overview

I can not take credit for this one. It is found in many of Emeril Lagasse’s recipes by the name of Emeril’s ESSENCE. I normally make batches that are fairly close to the original, but usually add a little twist.

Ingredients:

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried oregano (oregano powder)
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Prep:

Mix all ingredients thoroughly.

Use:

Makes enough to fill a regular sized spice jar. I like to use empty McCormick 2.12oz Course Ground Black Pepper jars, for the 2 different pour methods. Store and use as any other spice.

Good for seasoning, beef, pork, fish, chicken or just about anything else.

Variants:

Substitute 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
Substitute 1 tablespoon chili powder
Substitute 1 tablespoon curry powder
Substitute 1 tablespoon ground mustard

Popularity: 6% [?]

Universal Chimichurri

Bison Rib-Eye with Chimichurri

Chimichurri … chim-EE-churrrrrrrr-EE … chiiimmmmm-ee-CHURY …CHIM-ee-CHEW-ree. It dances on your tongue, and just wait until you taste it!

No! It has nothing to do with Mary Poppins flying around England, hanging on the end of a silly umbrella!

Chimichurri is perhaps one of the most recognizable culinary exports of Argentina. Usually used as a sauce for various meats. It can, however, be used in many other applications. Think of it as general condiment much like ketchup, though always fresh and with a lot more flavor.

Ingredients:

Since this is “Universal” Chimichurri the ingredient list is rather vague, giving only a general idea of what to use. Feel free to experiment, add a little bit of this, take away a little of that.

A big bunch of green stuff (weeds)

• Cilantro
• Parsley
• Basil
• Arugula
• Green Onions

Smelly stuff

• Garlic
• Onion

Hot spicy stuff

• Jalapeno
• Serrano
• Habanero
• Cayenne

Sour/Acid stuff

• Lemon juice
• Lime juice
• Some type of Vinegar

Oily Stuff

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Quaker State 10W40 (maybe not)

Extras

• Herbs
• Spices
• Salt
• Pepper
• Bell Pepper

Directions:

Toss everything into a blender or food processor, blend until ingredients are well mixed. Make as chunky or smooth as you would like, I prefer a smooth sauce.

Notes:

This is a sauce that can be different every time you make it. Find proportions that work for you then refine it with each new batch.

If you come up with a really exceptional version please share!

Popularity: 2% [?]