Description
Succulent Spicy Garlic Lemon Butter Shrimp sizzles with zesty Mediterranean flavors that dance across your palate. Quick, elegant seafood perfection promises a restaurant-quality meal straight from your kitchen.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp and Seafood:
- 1 1/2 pounds raw shrimp (peeled and deveined)
Herbs and Seasonings:
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 3 cloves garlic (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 cup fresh basil (roughly chopped)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
Base and Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 4 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 ears corn (kernels removed from the cob)
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup dry polenta
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Juice from 1 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the polenta by melting butter with corn in a medium pot over medium heat for 5-8 minutes, allowing the butter to brown around the edges.
- Pour 2 cups of water and milk into the pot, bringing the mixture to a gentle boil. Gradually whisk in the polenta, stirring continuously until the mixture becomes soft and thick, approximately 3-5 minutes.
- Incorporate parmesan cheese into the polenta, seasoning with salt and pepper. Remove from heat, cover the pot, and let it rest for 5 minutes to achieve a creamy consistency.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add butter and shrimp, generously coating with Cajun seasonings and black pepper.
- Sear the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side until they develop a golden color and are nearly cooked through.
- Introduce minced garlic and thyme to the skillet, cooking until the garlic becomes aromatic and the shrimp are fully cooked.
- Remove the skillet from heat and immediately drizzle with fresh lemon juice, then sprinkle with chopped basil.
- Divide the creamy polenta among serving bowls, topping each portion with the spicy garlic lemon butter shrimp.
- Serve immediately while hot, allowing the flavors to meld together for a delightful dining experience.
Notes
- Customize Polenta Consistency by gradually adding water or milk to achieve your preferred thickness, ensuring a smooth and creamy texture.
- Prevent Shrimp Overcooking by watching for color changes and removing from heat when they turn pink and opaque, which typically takes 2-3 minutes per side.
- Enhance Flavor Depth by browning butter slightly before adding corn, creating a nutty undertone that complements the shrimp’s natural sweetness.
- Accommodate Dietary Restrictions by substituting dairy milk with almond or coconut milk for a lactose-free version, and using gluten-free Cajun seasoning for those with sensitivities.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 345 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg