Cajun Shrimp and Marinated Cucumber Salad
Here’s a super-quick idea for lunch (or a light dinner). By “super-quick” I mean 15 minutes tops. I’ve recently re-discovered the convenience and versatility of frozen shrimp. Frozen to cooked in under 10 minutes, folks.
This colorful bowl of flavors combines Cajun-spiced shrimp and marinated cucumbers (something that I fell in love with while living in Austria). Thus the title of the recipe. (My recipe-naming skills are astounding, right?) If you’re making this ahead of time, the cucumbers get better the longer they sit, and the whole salad would be great cold as well.
I happened to have some fresh pico de gallo in the fridge, so I added a couple of spoonfuls over top. It was perfect. I think I ate this three times last week.
Cajun Shrimp and Marinated Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
8 oz large uncooked shrimp, peeled with tails on (about 20), thawed
1 tsp Cajun or creole seasoning (like Tony Chachere's), divided
1 T freshly squeezed lemon juice or white/white wine vinegar
1 whole English cucumber, sliced thinly
2 T white wine vinegar (red wine vinegar also works well)
3 T olive oil, divided (optional)
1/4 cup prepared pico de gallo
salt and pepper to tasteDirections:
Preheat broiler to high. Place shrimp on a small rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning, lemon juice (or vinegar), 1 T oil (if using) and pinch or two of salt and black pepper. Place in the oven on the upper third rack. Broil for 3-5 minutes until shrimp is completely opaque and pink.
Meanwhile, place cucumber slices in a bowl and toss with remaining 1/2 tsp cajun seasoning, 2 T vinegar, 2 T olive oil (if using), and salt and pepper to taste. Divide cucumbers between two bowls, top each with half of the shrimp and a couple spoonfuls of pico de gallo.
Serves 2.
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Rebecca — September 30, 2010 @ 1:40 pm
Because I'm beginning to despair that we'll ever meet in person, I'll just ask you here. Did you ever meet the Wadosch family in Austria? They live outside of Vienna in Deutsch Wagram. Just curious. :) Also, I love frozen shrimp, too!
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ourlifeinfood — September 30, 2010 @ 5:28 pm
Yum! The cajun seasoning seems like it would be a great contrast with the cool cucumbers. I love lunches that are nice and easy like that!
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Joanne — September 30, 2010 @ 6:26 pm
I need more quick and easy in my life. Just today I set out to make a lunch that should have taken fifteen minutes and it ended up taking forty. Not good.
I love the flavors in this and yes frozen shrimp is definitely glorious!
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Natalie — September 30, 2010 @ 8:33 pm
we always keep frozen shrimp on hand for quick meals! this looks so good!!
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Mary — October 2, 2010 @ 5:09 pm
This sounds and looks divine! Gorgeous photography!
Loving your blog; so happy I found you!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
[Reply]
Kristine at The Painted Hive — October 3, 2010 @ 11:45 pm
Hi Natalie. I finally found some time to peruse your site and it is awesome! There are so many things I want to try…starting with that Cheesburger Soup and those Cookie Dough Cupcakes! Yummo.
Kristine
xxx
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Lisa — October 4, 2010 @ 3:49 pm
That looks delicious and so pretty too.
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