You can take a girl out of the South, but the Southern recipes will always remain inside the girl. Over the years, there’s one thing that I am most thankful for, that wherever I have lived I’ve picked up the culinary tastes and cuisine of the culture. In San Diego it was the street tacos, beach fare, and carne asada fries. In Kentucky, it was the best biscuits and fried chicken you’ve tasted. In Louisiana, it was the cajun flavors, cafe au lait, and love of all things crawfish. This week to inaugurate the first meal in my condo, I took the time to make a dish that found it’s origin deep in nostalgia, reminding me of all things delicious and home. My favorite part of this meal? It can be made in 15 minutes flat, perfect for the nights when you don’t have time to cook. If you’re flying solo, save the rest for tasty leftovers or enjoy a cozy night in for two with this spicy and comforting dish.
Keep reading for the full recipe after the jump!
Spicy Shrimp and Cheddar Polenta for Two
Servings: 2
Ingredients:
For polenta:
- 1 T Butter
- 2 C water
- 1/2 C polenta
- 3 T grated raw cheddar
- 1 t sea salt
- salt and pepper, to taste
For shrimp:
- 12 peeled and deveined shrimp
- 2 T extra virgin olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 T tomato paste
- 3 T white wine
- 1 t cajun seasoning
- Dash of red pepper flakes
Directions:
Begin by placing medium saucepan of water over stove on medium high heat. Add sea salt. Bring water to a boil. Whisk in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium.
Meanwhile, in a small skillet drizzle extra virgin olive oil over medium high heat. Add garlic cloves. Cook for 30 seconds to infuse olive oil. Whisk in tomato paste and add white wine until blended into a sauce. Place shrimp and cook. Add cajun seasoning and red pepper flakes. Cook for 5 minutes or until shrimp is pink and cooked through. Remove from heat.
Whisk in raw cheddar and butter in the polenta. To serve, place in a shallow bowl and place shrimp on top. Add a few shavings of raw cheddar, spoonfuls of extra sauce, torn parsley, and fresh cracked salt and pepper. Enjoy!