Cajun Shrimp Pasta in a Creamy Tomato Sauce

Ingredients (Serves 3 – 4)

1. Penne pasta – 3/4 pound

2. Shrimp – 20 – 25, cleaned

     Cajun spice mix – 3/4 – 1 tsp or as required (Recipe below)

3. Butter – 2 – 3 tbsp

4. Garlic – 2 cloves, minced

5. Tomato – 3 medium, blanched and chopped

6. Onion –  1.5 cup, thinly sliced

    Green bell pepper – 1/2 cup, sliced

    Orange / Red bell pepper – 1/4 cup, sliced

5.   Heavy cream – 1/2 – 3/4 cup

   Parmesan cheese – 1/2 – 3/4 cup, grated

6. Cajun spice mix – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp

7. Parsley – 2 – 3 tbsp, chopped

8. Salt

Method

1. To blanch tomatoes – Put the tomatoes in boiling water. Boil for about 1 minute or until their skin starts peeling off. Take them out and set aside for 2 minutes. Peel off their skin and remove the seeds and pulp. Chop the flesh and keep aside.

2.  Marinate shrimp with 3/4 – 1 tsp cajun spice mix (recipe below) and salt. Set aside for 5 minutes.

3. Cook the pasta according to package instructions till al dente.

4. While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tbsp butter and 1 tsp olive oil / vegetable oil in a pan. Fry shrimp on both sides until done, about 3 – 4 minutes over medium heat. Transfer to a plate.

5. To the same pan, add onion, green and red bell pepper. Saute for about 3 – 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

6. Add 1 tbsp butter to the same pan and add garlic and chopped tomatoes. Cook for 5 – 6 minutes adding little salt and pepper. Add heavy cream, parmesan cheese and 1/4 tsp cajun spice mix. Mix well. Cook for a few minutes over low heat until sauce is thick. Taste-check for salt.

7. When the pasta is done, drain and add to the prepared sauce. Add fried shrimp and sauteed vegetables. Mix well and switch off. Sprinkle chopped parsley and 2 – 3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese serve immediately.

Cajun spice mix

1. Pepper powder – 1/2 tsp

2. Chilly powder – 1/2 tsp

3. Paprika – 1/2 tsp

4. Cumin powder – 1/4 tsp

5. Garlic powder – 1/4 tsp

6. Onion powder – 1/4 – 1/2 tsp

7. Dried oregano – 1/4 tsp

8. Dried thyme – 1/4 tsp

Mix all the above ingredients for cajun spice mix. You need only about 1.5 tsp cajun spice mix for this recipe. Store the remaining in an airtight container to use later.