Cajun Shrimp And Crab Over Polenta Recipes

SPICY SHRIMP OVER CREAMY POLENTA

Steps:

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl add shrimp, olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and optional cayenne pepper.
• Toss together until all the shrimp are coated.
• Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and add shrimp to the skillet.
• Cook until the shrimp turn pink and remove from the heat.
• Place shrimp on a plate and wipe out the skillet.
• The shrimp will also be warmed when added to the tomato mixture so keep that in mind when cooking the shrimp. It's ok for them to be slightly undercooked.
• In the skillet you cooked your shrimp (and wiped clean) add both can Rotel tomatoes, garlic, smoked paprika, and kosher salt to taste.
• Cook on medium heat until the mixture is hot.
• Add in shrimp, lower heat to low, and keep covered while you prepare polenta.
• In a large high-sided skillet set over medium-high heat add water and milk.
• Bring to a boil and slowly whisk in polenta.
• Once all the polenta has been added turn the heat down to low and slowly whisk until thick. On my stove, this takes about 7 minutes.
• Once creamy and cooked remove from heat and stir in butter, cheese, and salt.
• Add polenta to the bottom of a bowl and top with tomatoes and shrimp.

GRILLED SHRIMP AND POLENTA

Steps:

• Zest the lemon into a mixing bowl and add the butter, hot sauce and a pinch of salt. Stir until well combined. Gently stir in half of the parsley, reserving the remaining parsley for garnish. Cut the zested lemon into wedges and reserve.
• Prepare a grill or grill pan or for high heat. Lightly oil the grill grates. Thread the tomatoes on the skewers, about 7 tomatoes per skewer. (If using wooden skewers, leave just 1/2 inch of the skewer sticking out on each end so you do not have to soak them). Brush 1 tablespoon of the oil on the tomatoes and sprinkle them liberally with salt and pepper.
• Brush both sides of the polenta rounds with 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper.
• Arrange the skewered tomatoes on the hot grill and cook, turning occasionally, until they are lightly charred in spots and have started to burst, 12 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, arrange the polenta on the grill and cook until lightly charred with distinct grill marks, about 5 minutes per side, flipping once using a flat metal spatula. (Be careful not to flip the polenta too early because it will stick to the grill if it is not ready.) Remove from the heat and reserve.
• Toss the shrimp with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle liberally with salt and pepper. Grill until lightly charred in spots on both sides and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes total. Remove from the heat and reserve.
• By this time, the grape tomatoes should be ready to take off the grill as well. Carefully remove the tomatoes from the skewers and place directly into a small bowl. Use the back of a pair of tongs or a spoon to lightly smash the tomatoes so that they release their juices.
• Place 3 pieces of polenta on each plate. In the center of the polenta, spoon a quarter of the tomatoes along with their juices, one quarter of the shrimp and a large dollop of the reserved butter mixture (if it doesn't melt, touch the business end of a pair of tongs to the grill, and then to the butter to finish melting). Garnish with the reserved parsley and wedges of lemon for squeezing on top of each serving.
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CAJUN SHRIMP AND CRAB OVER POLENTA

Steps:

• Sausage -- In a large saute pan, add the sausage and cook 3-5 minutes until golden brown. Remove and put on a plate lined with a paper towel to drain. Reserve the drippings in the pan.
• Vegetables -- Add the onion, green pepper, jalapeno and garlic and cook another minute or so.
• Sauce -- Once the vegetables have cooked a minute or two, add the flour, add the chicken broth and bring to medium heat until it thickens slightly. Reduce to medium low and stir in the seasoning (celery seed, cajun seasoning, Old Bay and pepper flakes, salt and pepper to taste), shrimp and cook until they begin to curl and turn pink. Just 2-3 minutes.
• Then before the shrimp are done, add the sausage back in and mix well, then add the crab meat and lightly toss so you don't break up the crab too much.
• Polenta -- Whether it is quick cooking or regular cooking, just follow the directions according to directions. When done, just stir in the cheese and any salt and pepper if needed.
• Serve -- Top the shrimp and crab over the polenta and enjoy and great comfort food meal.