The Cajun Ninja Store Food

CAJUN JAMBALAYA

Steps:

• In a bowl combine shrimp, chicken and Creole seasoning, and work in seasoning well. In a large saucepan heat oil over high heat with onion, pepper and celery, 3 minutes. Add garlic, tomatoes, bay leaves, Worcestershire and hot sauces. Stir in rice and slowly add broth. Reduce heat to medium and cook until rice absorbs liquid and becomes tender, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. When rice is just tender add shrimp and chicken mixture and sausage. Cook until meat is done, about 10 minutes more. Season to taste with salt, pepper and Creole seasoning.

SMOKIN' DAVE'S CAFE'S FIERY CAJUN SHRIMP ALFREDO

Steps:

• Place the shrimp and 3 tablespoons Essence in a large resealable plastic bag and shake. Place the bag in the refrigerator while you prepare the sauce.
• Heat a deep 3-quart skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and the andouille sausage. Saute sausage for 2 minutes, stirring often. Add onions and saute for 2 minutes. Add crushed red pepper flakes and garlic and cook 1 minute. Add Worcestershire sauce.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to package instructions.
• To the skillet, add cream, milk, remaining Essence, black pepper, chili powder, and salt. Stir to a consistent color. Add butter and stir until melted. Stir in cheese until melted. Lower heat to a simmer.
• Heat the remaining olive oil in another large skillet over high heat and add the shrimp. Saute shrimp for 1 to 2 minutes per side or until they just start to turn pink. Add the shrimp and cooked, drained pasta to the first skillet. Stir to combine and blend flavors, about 1 minute.
• Serve in a large pasta bowl. Sprinkle with parsley and Essence for garnish.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch, published by William and Morrow, 1993.

ONE-POT CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in large wide pot over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and Cajun seasoning and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken just starts to change color and the spices are toasted, about 2 minutes.
• Add the peppers and onions and cook until they just begin to release some of their juices, 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until softened, 1 minute.
• Add the pasta, chicken broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When it boils, continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is thickened and reduced by about half, about 15 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and add the cream cheese and 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt. Stir until the cream cheese is combined and melted. Don't worry if the sauce looks runny, it will thicken as it sits. Top with sliced scallions.

SHRIMP PO'BOY

Steps:

• Make the shrimp: Whisk the flour, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, 1 tablespoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Stir together the milk and hot sauce in a large bowl; add the shrimp. Working in batches, remove the shrimp from the milk mixture, letting the excess drip off, and add to the bowl with the flour mixture; toss to coat. Transfer to a plate and refrigerate 15 minutes to let the coating set.
• Meanwhile, make the rémoulade: Combine the mayonnaise, pickles, shallot and hot sauce in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Fry the shrimp: Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 360˚ F. Working in batches, fry the shrimp until golden brown and crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to the prepared baking sheet with a slotted spoon; season with salt. Adjust the heat as needed between batches.
• Meanwhile, put the rolls on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, about 5 minutes. Spread the rémoulade on the cut sides and fill with lettuce, the shrimp and tomatoes. Serve with more hot sauce.

BEST STOP CRACKLIN

Steps:

• Fill a cast-iron pot halfway with oil and heat over medium heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
• Add the pork belly to the oil and cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown and the skins begin to float, crack and pop, about 1 hour. Drain on a sheet tray lined with paper towel and allow to cool for 30 minutes.
• Again, heat the oil to 350 degrees F and fry a second time, stirring occasionally, until the cracklings are crisp and golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain on a sheet tray lined with paper towel. Sprinkle liberally with Cajun seasoning.
• Allow to cool slightly and serve.

CAJUN CORN MAQUE CHOUX

Steps:

• 1. Cut the kernels off of the corn into a large bowl. Using the back of the knife, scrape the sweet corn milk from the cobs to extract about 3 tablespoons and add it to the bowl. Set aside.
• 2. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until the fat renders and the bacon is crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper-towel-lined plate and set aside. Add the butter to the skillet and when melted, add the celery, bell peppers and onions. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes. Add the milk, scallion whites, garlic, tomatoes and corn. Cook until thickened, 10 minutes.
• 3. Serve garnished with the scallion greens and reserved bacon.

CAJUN CHICKEN ALFREDO

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Dredge the chicken breasts in the blackening spice and place in a cast iron skillet over very high heat. Blacken both sides of the chicken and place in the oven for 10 minutes, or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer. Slice in strips on the bias and set aside.
• In a saute pan over medium heat, add 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Add garlic and lightly caramelize. Then add the sun-dried tomatoes and the chicken slices. Deglaze the pan with the white wine. Add the heavy cream, increase the heat to a simmer, and reduce the cream sauce by half.
• When the cream sauce is to desired consistency, stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan, salt, pepper, and pasta.
• Nest the pasta on large rimmed plates, pour sauce over pasta, and garnish with scallions and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.

CAJUN CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain when the pasta is still al dente; do not overcook!
• Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun spice (or more) over the chicken cubes. Toss around to coat. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken in a single layer; do not stir. Allow the chicken to brown on one side, about 1 minute. Flip to the other side and cook an additional minute. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on a clean plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken. Remove the chicken, leaving the skillet on high heat. Add the remaining butter and olive oil. When heated, add the garlic, peppers and onions. Sprinkle on the remaining Cajun spice, and add salt if needed. Cook over high heat for 1 minute, stirring gently and trying to get the vegetables as dark/black as possible. Add the tomatoes and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Remove all the vegetables from the skillet.
• With the skillet still over high heat, pour in the chicken broth and wine. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Reduce the heat to medium-low and pour in the cream, stirring/whisking constantly. Cook the sauce over medium-low heat for a few minutes, until the cream starts to thicken the mixture. Taste and add freshly ground black pepper, cayenne pepper, and/or salt to taste. The sauce should be spicy!
• Finally, add the chicken and vegetables to the sauce, making sure to include all the juices that have drained onto the plate. Stir and cook until the mixture is bubbly and hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the drained fettuccine and toss to combine.
• Top with chopped fresh parsley and chow down!