Louisiana Cajun Shrimp Recipe

Nothing says Louisiana like Cajun spices, and a recipe for Lousiana Cajun shrimp will wake up anyone's taste buds. Cajun culture derives from French migrants from North America (the word Cajun is a derivation of "Acadian") and the Caribbean. Food is absolutely central to Cajun culture, and Cajun spices are generally hot, including paprika and chili powder, and sometimes hot sauce and Tabasco. Peppers and onions are usually featured as well. Cooking shrimp in Cajun spices is one of the most common dishes. Other popular ones are jambalaya and gumbo, dishes that tend to throw in the "kitchen sink," or all the vegetables and meat that's around, and the former is cooked with rice.

Ingredients

A Louisiana Cajun shrimp recipe requires 1 tsp. each of paprika, chili powder, black pepper, salt, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. It also includes two cloves of garlic, one green bell pepper and 1 lb. of shrimp.

Mix the Cajun Spices

Mix together the paprika, chili powder, black pepper, salt, Worcestershire sauce and lemon juice in a bowl. Peel, devein and wash the shrimp.

Marinate the Shrimp

Add the shrimp to the cajun spice mix, and toss until evenly coated with the mixture. Put in the refrigerator and marinate for one to two hours.

Preparing the Garlic and Bell Pepper

Thinly slice the garlic. Chop the bell pepper. Heat the saucepan and add 1 to 2 tbsp. of olive oil. Saute the garlic and bell pepper on medium heat, until the pepper begins to soften, or approximately three to five minutes.

Cook the Shrimp

Add the shrimp to the pan after the bell pepper has softened, and cook the shrimp thoroughly, or about five minutes. The shrimp should be completely opaque when it's cooked through.