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Cajun Shrimp Pasta

Ingredients

Spice mix:

  • 1.5 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1.5 tsp smoked paprika or regular
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp oregano
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
  • 0.25 tsp white pepper a pinch if for kids
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne pepper a pinch if for kids

Shrimp marinade:

  • 1 kg shrimp after cleaning and peeling
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 50 ml lemon juice
  • 4 tsp of prepared spice mix

Sauce:

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 30 g unsalted butter
  • 1 red onion chopped finely
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tbsp flour

Remainder of spices:

  • 300 ml cream 35% fat or light cream, or half cream half milk as I did
  • 250 ml pasta water
  • 25 ml lemon juice
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 50 g parmesan cheese shaved
  • 400 g pasta
  • Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Mix all the spices together, you will use all this mix in the recipe, for the shrimp first and then for the sauce.
  • Make sure your shrimp is dry. Then marinate them with olive oil, lemon juice, and 4 tsp of the spice mix. Marinate for 30 minutes (and up to 2 hours).
  • Cook the shrimp in 2 tbsp of olive oil, for 2-3 minutes on each side only. You can work in batches if you are making the entire quantity. Remove the shrimp and set aside while you make the sauce.
  • In the same pot, add butter and cook the onion for 5 minutes then add the garlic. Cook for 1 minute then add the tomato paste. Mix it in, then add the flour, mixing it in as well. Add the remaining spices and then add the cream. Whisk everything together until the sauce is all homogeneous. Add lemon juice and zest, shaved parmesan and pasta water. The sauce will have a great texture once you mix all the ingredients in.
  • Add back the cooked shrimp and the cooked pasta, mix everything together so that the pasta is well coated with the sauce. Add chopped parsley for garnish and color. Enjoy directly once done. Serves 4 to 5 people.