Spicy Voodoo Shrimp
A vibrant dish that brings the bold flavors of Cajun cuisine to your kitchen, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Shrimp Preparation
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) for extra heat
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely diced
- 1 stalk celery, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce (halal version if needed)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 cup chicken or seafood stock (or vegetable stock for a lighter version)
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Serving Suggestions
- Lemon wedges
- Cooked white rice, grits, or crusty bread for serving
Instructions
Preparation
- Start by seasoning the peeled and deveined shrimp with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper if you want an extra kick. Set them aside.
Cooking the Aromatics
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion, green bell pepper, and celery. Sauté until the vegetables are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Building the Sauce
- Add the tomato paste and Worcestershire sauce to the skillet, mixing well.
- Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, and oregano.
- Pour in the chicken or seafood stock and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Allow it to cook for 5-7 minutes to develop flavor.
Cooking the Shrimp
- Add the prepared shrimp to the skillet. Cook until the shrimp are pink and opaque, usually about 3-5 minutes.
- Stir in hot sauce, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Serving
- Once the shrimp are cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with lemon wedges alongside rice, grits, or crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
Adjust the spice level by adding more or less cayenne pepper and hot sauce according to your taste. For a richer flavor, you can let the sauce simmer longer. Make sure not to overcook the shrimp as they cook quickly and become tough if overcooked. For a different twist, you can add andouille sausage to the recipe for some additional protein and smoky flavor.