Easy Creole Shrimp

Recipe from: Keeping up with the Joneses

Ingredients:

1 lb of large raw frozen shrimp, thawed
1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
1/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing (Kraft or Wishbone will do)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional)

Directions:

1. First, pour the 1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning over the thawed shrimp.
2. Stir it around to coat.
3. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add the dressing and garlic.
5. Cook and stir for one minute.
6. Stir in the shrimp.
7. Cook and stir for 3-5 minutes. I would occasionally flip them over, too.You'll know they're almost ready when most of the liquid has evaporated and the shrimp is starting to brown.
8. Sprinkle the chopped, fresh parsley over the top of the shrimp.

Cajun Shrimp and Gouda Grits

Recipe from: Kendall at Keeping up with the Joneses

Ingredients:

3 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
1/2 heavy whipping cream
1 cup quick-cooking grits
4 oz smoked Gouda cheese
Ground white pepper (optional)
1 tsp vegetable oil
1 medium green bell pepper
3 garlic cloves, pressed
1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with green pepper, celery and onion
1 can (15 oz) tomato puree
1 1/4 lb large cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, remove the tails
1/2 cup snipped fresh parsley

Directions:

1) Grits
Place broth and whipping cream in large, micro-safe dish and microwave, covered on high 3-5 minutes or until hot. Add grits, cover, and microwave on high 4-5 minutes or until thickened. Grate cheese into the grits and stir until cheese is melted. Add some ground white pepper, if you like. Set aside and cover to keep warm.

2) Shrimp
Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat 1-3 minutes. Chop the green bell pepper. Add to the pan with the pressed garlic and Cajun seasoning. Cook 2-3 minutes or until bell pepper is tender. Add canned tomatoes, puree and shrimp, cook 1-2 minutes or until heated through. I tasted it and added some extra Tony C's seasoning to give it some more flavor.

3) Serve
Put grits on plates and top with shrimp mixture. Garnish with parsley and enjoy!

Thai Shrimp Lettuce Wraps

Recipe adapted from Rachael Ray's Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Ingredients (serves 4)
*1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)
* 1/2 lb. of shrimp
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1 red bell pepper, cut into strips
* 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce (use less if you're not a fan of the hot stuff)
* 1/4 cup honey
* 2 iceberg lettuce heads, cut into quarters and leaves gently removed to make the lettuce cups
* 1/2 cup honey-roasted peanuts, chopped (OPTIONAL)
* Juice of 1 lime
* 1 handful basil, chopped (OPTIONAL)

Directions:
Place a large skillet over medium-high heat with one turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 tablespoon.
Add the shrimp and cook until almost done.
Add in the red pepper and cook until soft, about 3 minutes.
Add in the chili sauce and honey and simmer to reduce it and coat the chicken.
To serve, lay the lettuce leaves on a platter, then scoop some of the shrimp mixture onto each leaf.
Sprinkle with the chopped peanuts, lime juice and basil.

Sesame-Orange Shrimp

Recipe from: What's for Dinner

Ingredients:
3 Tbsp. Sesame Seeds
2 Large Egg Whites
1/4 Cup Cornstarch
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1/4 Teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp (21-25 per pound)
2 Tbsps. Canola oil (divided)
3/4 Cup Orange Juice
1/4 Cup dry sherry
2 Tbsps. Reduced sodium Soy Sauce
1 Teaspoon Sugar

Directions:
1. Whisk sesame seeds, egg whites, cornstarch, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Add shrimp and coat.
2. Heat Tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add half the shrimp and cook until golden. (1-2 minutes per side). Transfer shrimp to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with other half of the shrimp and another tablespoon of oil.
3. Add orange juice, sherry, soy sauce, and sugar to the pan. Bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally until slightly thick.
4. Return the shrimp to the pan and stir to coat with the sauce. Serve immediately.

Paula Deen's Shrimp Gumbo Casserole

Recipe from: Kelly's Recipes and Paula Deen
Ingredients:

Gumbo:
1 cup finely chopped onion
1 cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
1 1/2 teaspoons House Seasoning, recipe follows
1 cup chicken or fish stock
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
10-ounce package frozen cut okra
2 cups shrimp, cleaned, peeled, and deveined
1 1/2 cups of rice - OPTIONAL

Topping:
1 egg, beaten
1/3 cup milk
12-ounce package corn muffin mix

Directions:
1. In an iron skillet, saute onion and celery in oil.
2. Add bay leaves, thyme, lemon-pepper seasoning and House Seasoning.
3. Pour in stock and add tomatoes and okra.
4. Cover pot and gently simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and stir in shrimp.
6. To prepare the topping, preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
7. Mix together egg and milk, add to muffin mix, and combine until just well-blended.
8. Drop by tablespoonfuls on top of hot shrimp mixture, leaving the center uncovered.
9. Bake 15 to 20 minutes.

House Seasoning:
1 cup salt
1/4 cup black pepper
1/4 cup garlic powder

*I added some crushed red pepper to this dish to spice it up a little.