Grilled Cajun Shrimp with Red Rice and Pickled Slaw
Lia Soneson
Fire up the grill and spice up dinner tonight with our vibrant, grilled Cajun shrimp with red rice and pickled slaw! Succulent shrimp are marinated in a bold Cajun seasoning mix, while red rice is cooked in a tomato and onion chicken stock for enhanced flavor. A bright and tangy slaw adds just enough fresh crunch to balance out the textures and flavors. This restaurant-worthy menu is perfect for at-home summer celebrations.
Grilled Cajun Shrimp with Red Rice and Pickled Slaw
Serves 6
Pickled Slaw Ingredients:
3/4 cup rice vinegar
3/4 cup water
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon mustard seeds
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
1/4 small head of red cabbage, thinly sliced with a mandoline
1 medium carrot, julienned
2 radishes, thinly sliced with a mandoline
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced witha mandoline
1/2 jalapeño, chopped, ribs and seeds removed
Red Rice Ingredients:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 yellow onion, finely diced1 teaspoon Kosher salt
1-1/2 cups white rice
1 can (6 oz) tomato paste
3 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauceLime zest
Shrimp Ingredients:
12 medium wooden skewers, soaked for 30 minutes to avoid burning
5 tablespoons butter, melted
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons Kosher salt
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon onion powder
1-1/2 lbs shrimp, deveined
Serve with:
Fresh parsley, coarsely chopped
Avocados, sliced
2 limes, cut in wedges
Directions:
1. Prep the slaw. In a saucepan, combine the rice vinegar, water, garlic, sugar, mustard seeds, and salt and bring to a boil with high heat. Stir until the salt and sugar have dissolved, about one minute. Remove from heat and set to the side.
2. Combine the cabbage, carrot, radishes, onion, and jalapeño in a medium bowl and pour the vinegarmixture over the vegetables, stirring until combined. Chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
3. Make the rice. In a heavy saucepan with a lid, heat the olive oil with the onion, salt, and rice until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste, chicken stock, and Worcestershire sauce and stir to combine. Cover and bring the ingredients to a boil, then reduce to low until rice is cooked, about 15 minutes. Stir in the lime zest and set aside until ready to serve.
4. Meanwhile, prepare the shrimp. Preheat a grill to medium high heat, scrape clean, then oil well.
5. In a small saucepan, combine butter, minced garlic, salt, paprika, black pepper, cayenne, cumin, and onion powder. Bring to a simmer and then remove from heat. Reserve half of the mixture in a ramekin to use for dipping later.
6. Thread the shrimp through the skewers and lay them on a baking sheet. Brush both sides of the shrimp with the remaining marinade mixture. Grill for 2 minutes on both sides until just cooked through and opaque.
7. Serve the shrimp with the rice, pickled slaw, and the reserved sauce. Top with fresh parsley, avocado, and a squeeze of fresh lime.