Description
A flavorful and satisfying meal featuring spicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp served over creamy mashed potatoes, complemented by tender roasted broccolini with a hint of lemon zest. This dish balances spicy, creamy, and roasted elements for a comforting dinner perfect for any night of the week.
Ingredients
Scale
Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Mashed Potatoes
- 4 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 4 tablespoons butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Roasted Broccolini
- 1 bunch broccolini, trimmed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Mashed Potatoes: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the peeled and chopped potatoes and cook until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain and return potatoes to the pot.
- Mash the Potatoes: Mash the cooked potatoes with butter, heavy cream, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and creamy. Set aside to keep warm.
- Roast the Broccolini: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the broccolini with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes until tender and slightly charred. Optional: sprinkle with lemon zest before serving.
- Season the Shrimp: In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper until well coated.
- Cook the Shrimp: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and opaque.
- Assemble the Dish: Serve the cooked Cajun shrimp over a bed of mashed potatoes with the roasted broccolini on the side.
- Serve Immediately: Garnish with fresh parsley or lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy your flavorful Cajun shrimp dinner!
Notes
- Adjust the cayenne pepper to control the spice level according to your preference.
- For extra creaminess in mashed potatoes, you can add more butter or cream.
- Broccolini can be swapped with broccoli if unavailable.
- Garnishing with fresh herbs or lemon enhances the freshness of the dish.
- Use fresh shrimp for best flavor, but frozen shrimp can be used if properly thawed.
